The song Flow my tears was certainly the best-known
musical work in England in the Seventeenth Century. It was written by
John Dowland, already a leading Lutenist and composer, who first
pulished it in 1596, as the Pavane Lachrimae for
solo lute. [You may notice that there are at least 4 different ways of
spelling this name, which originated as the Latin word for "Tears"]. By
1601 the melody had acquired words (some people suggest that they were
written by Dowland himself) and the song appeared then in his Second
Book of Ayres: the full text is shown below. It became Dowland's
signature tune, and indeed its beautiful, haunting but sad melodies are
typical of his style — "Semper Dowland, semper Dolens, as
they used to say.
It was arranged by many composers for a variety of solo instruments and
combinations of instruments. A selection of keyboard interpretations
are available on this site. Dowland himself wrote a set of Pieces Seven
Teares for viol consort with lute, consisting of Pavanes and
Galliards based on his theme.
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Flow, my tears, fall from your
springs!
Exiled for ever, let me mourn; Where night's black bird her sad infamy sings, There let me live forlorn. Down vain lights, shine you no more! That in despair their lost fortunes deplore. Light doth but shame disclose. Never may my woes be relieved, Since pity is fled; And tears and sighs and groans my weary days Of all joys have deprived. From the highest spire of contentment My fortune is thrown; And fear and grief and pain for my deserts Are my hopes, since hope is gone. Hark! you shadows that in darkness dwell, Learn to contemn light Happy, happy they that in hell Feel not the world's despite. |
Music now available
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