Dowland's First Book of Songs appeared in 1597, his Second in 1600, and his Third in 1603. This song, Say, Love if ever thou didst find, appeared in that penultimate publication and must therefore have been written in the period between the Second and Third. As his admirers know, Dowland was the first composer to write solo songs with accompaniment, typically using the lute. However, he was, as this song confirms, not merely a pioneer, but an inspired creator at his craft producing many masterful works. Say, Love may have originally been written for a stage production—a so-called masque. It is homophonic, but achieves a sense of variety and color through its lively manner, witty text, and deft, echo-like singing. Dowland first creates the latter effect when the three lower voices sing "She" and are immediately answered by the soprano repeating that word. The main theme is sprightly, and its lively lilt and bright mood seem the perfect match for the rhythmic flow of the poetic text. This charming song typically has a duration of just under two minutes.

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