Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Lute Song

Compose Date

:

1597

Publication Date

:

1597

Average_duration

:

3:34

"His golden locks Time has to silver turned" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, one of the most famous English composers of the Renaissance era. The song was composed in the early 17th century and was first published in Dowland's collection of lute songs, "The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires" in 1603. The song is a melancholic reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. It is composed in the key of G major and consists of four verses, each with a refrain. The melody is simple and elegant, with a gentle, flowing rhythm that perfectly captures the mood of the lyrics. The first verse begins with the line "His golden locks Time has to silver turned," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and how it has transformed the once-golden locks of youth into silver strands of age. The refrain, "O time too swift, O swiftness never ceasing," emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and the speaker's sense of loss. The second verse continues the theme of aging, with the speaker lamenting the loss of his youth and the passing of his prime. The refrain, "The flighty purpose never is o'ertook, unless the deed go with it," suggests that the speaker regrets not having accomplished more in his youth. The third verse takes a more philosophical turn, with the speaker reflecting on the nature of time and its relationship to mortality. The refrain, "From our youth upwards we have but one pace, the way to dusty death," emphasizes the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The final verse returns to the theme of aging, with the speaker acknowledging that his time is running out. The refrain, "All things are subject to Time's love, and Time is subject to mine," suggests that the speaker has come to accept his mortality and is at peace with the passage of time. Overall, "His golden locks Time has to silver turned" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. Dowland's simple yet elegant melody perfectly captures the mood of the lyrics, making it one of the most beloved lute songs of the Renaissance era.

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