Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Lute Song

Compose Date

:

before 1600

Publication Date

:

1600

Average_duration

:

3:35

John Dowland was an English Renaissance composer, lutenist, and singer who lived from 1563 to 1626. He is known for his melancholic and introspective music, which often dealt with themes of love, loss, and sorrow. One of his most famous works is "Sorrow, stay, lend true repentant tears," a lute song that was first published in 1603. The song is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and Sorrow, personified as a figure who is asked to stay and weep with the speaker. The lyrics are filled with images of grief and despair, as the speaker laments the loss of a loved one and begs for forgiveness for his sins. The music is slow and mournful, with a simple melody that is repeated throughout the song. "Sorrow, stay, lend true repentant tears" is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and somber, with a simple melody that is repeated several times. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies. The third movement returns to the slow, mournful character of the first, with a final plea for Sorrow to stay and weep with the speaker. The song is characteristic of Dowland's style, which is marked by its introspective and melancholic character. His music often deals with themes of love, loss, and sorrow, and is known for its expressive use of harmony and melody. "Sorrow, stay, lend true repentant tears" is a prime example of this style, and remains one of Dowland's most famous and beloved works.

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