Ye Sacred Muses is William Byrd's Musical elegy on the death of his colleague and mentor, Thomas Tallis, in the form of a secular madrigal. It is scored for 5 vv (usually four viols and countertenor) or a cappella SATTB choir. The words are:- Ye sacred Muses, race of Jove,whom Music's lore delighteth,Come down from crystal heav'ns aboveto earth where sorrow dwelleth,In mourning weeds, with tears in eyes:Tallis is dead, and Music dies.