John Danyel facts for kids

John Danyel (also spelled John Daniel) was an English musician who lived a long time ago, from about 1564 to 1626. He was a very talented player of the lute, which is an old stringed instrument, and he also wrote many songs.

Who Was John Danyel?

John Danyel was born in a place called Wellow, Somerset, in England. He had an older brother named Samuel Daniel, who was a famous poet. This means both brothers were very creative!

His Music and Songs

John Danyel was known for playing the lute. Imagine a guitar, but with a rounder back and more strings – that's a lute! He wrote beautiful songs for this instrument and for singers.

One of his famous songs is "Coy Daphne Fled." This song tells the story of a nymph (a nature spirit) named Daphne from ancient myths. Another well-known song is "Like as the lute delights."

Here are some lines from "Like as the lute delights":

Like as the lute delights, or else dislikes,

As is his art that plays upon the same;

So sounds my muse, according as she strikes

On my heart strings, high-tuned unto her fame.

These words show how a musician's feelings can come through their playing, just like a writer's feelings come through their words.

Working for the Court

John Danyel also worked for the royal court, which means he had jobs helping the king or queen at the time. In 1606, he published a book of his music called Songs for the Lute, Viol and Voice. A viol is another old stringed instrument, similar to a cello or violin. This book showed off his skills as a composer and musician.