Flow my tears, fall from your springs,
Exiled for ever, let me mourn.

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 forever.

My torture is thrown;
My Torture is thrown.

My torture is thrown;
My Torture is thrown.

Hark you shadows that in darkness dwell!

Down vain lights, shine you no more,
No nights are dark enough for those
That in despair their lost fortunes deplore;
There let me live forever.

My torture is thrown;
My Torture is thrown.

My torture is thrown;
My Torture is thrown.

Hark you shadows that in darkness dwell,
Hark you shadows that in darkness dwell,
Learn to contemn light;
Happy, they that in hell
Feel not the world's despite.

Hark you shadows, there let me live forever.

[Lyrics from John Dowland's (1563-1626) "Flow my tears"]

01-21-2008

The final days of John Dowland

One of the most famous British composers from the Age of Shakespeare was the lutenist and songwriter John Dowland. His life is documented rather well compared to many of his contemporaries, however much about him remains a mystery.

Some Describe Downland as "A cheerful person, passing his days in lawful merriment." Others say he suffered and many of his most famous works are deeply introspective in tone. One of his better known works is the lute song "Flow My Tears", the words of which can be found in A.D.'s first album Here Lies One Whose Name was Written in Water On the songs Downvain, and Darkness