Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1603

Publication Date

:

1603

Average_duration

:

1:43

'What hath overwrought my all amazed thoughts' is a lute song composed by John Dowland, a prominent English Renaissance composer and lutenist. The song was composed in the early 17th century and was first published in Dowland's collection of lute songs, 'A Pilgrimes Solace' in 1612. The song is in the key of G minor and consists of four verses, each with a refrain. The melody is haunting and melancholic, with a slow and mournful tempo. The lyrics are introspective and contemplative, exploring themes of love, loss, and despair. The first verse begins with the line "O what hath overwrought my all amazed thoughts," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The speaker is overwhelmed by their emotions and cannot understand why they feel the way they do. The refrain, "O stay and hear, and help me to complain," is a plea for someone to listen to their troubles and offer comfort. The second verse delves deeper into the speaker's feelings of despair, with lines such as "My heart is wounded with a thousand woes" and "My thoughts are full of fire, my heart of frost." The refrain remains the same, emphasizing the speaker's need for someone to hear their pain. The third verse introduces the idea of love, with the speaker lamenting the loss of their beloved. The refrain takes on a more desperate tone, with the speaker begging for someone to "help me to lament." The final verse brings the song full circle, with the speaker still unable to understand their emotions. The refrain is repeated once more, with the speaker pleading for someone to "stay and hear" their pain. Overall, 'What hath overwrought my all amazed thoughts' is a poignant and introspective song that showcases Dowland's skill as a composer and lyricist. Its haunting melody and melancholic lyrics make it a standout piece in Dowland's repertoire.

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