Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Lute Song

Compose Date

:

before 1600

Publication Date

:

1600

Average_duration

:

4:30

"Flow, my tears, fall from your springs" is a lute song composed by John Dowland in the late 16th century. It was first published in 1600 in Dowland's collection of songs, "The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres". The song is written in the key of D minor and is in a slow, melancholic tempo. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first movement is a simple, yet haunting melody sung by the solo voice. The second movement features a more complex and ornate lute accompaniment, while the voice sings a variation of the first movement's melody. The third movement returns to the simplicity of the first, with the voice singing a variation of the second movement's melody. The lyrics of the song are a lament for lost love, with the speaker asking for his tears to flow freely as a symbol of his grief. The opening lines of the song, "Flow, my tears, fall from your springs! / Exiled for ever, let me mourn", set the tone for the rest of the piece. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery, such as "Down vain lights, shine you no more! / No nights are dark enough for those / That in despair their last fortunes deplore." The song is characteristic of Dowland's style, which is known for its melancholic and introspective qualities. Dowland was a master of the lute, and his songs often feature intricate and expressive lute accompaniments. "Flow, my tears, fall from your springs" is one of Dowland's most famous works and has been performed and recorded by countless musicians over the centuries. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Dowland's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of human emotion in his music.

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