Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1612

Publication Date

:

1612

Average_duration

:

2:54

"Stay, Time, awhile thy flying" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, one of the most prominent 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, "A Pilgrimes Solace," in 1612. The song is written in the key of G minor and consists of four verses, each with a refrain. The melody is simple and melancholic, with a slow and measured tempo that reflects the song's theme of the fleeting nature of time. The lyrics, written by an unknown author, urge time to slow down and allow the singer to savor the joys of life before they pass away. The first verse begins with the lines "Stay, Time, awhile thy flying, / And let us sport us while we may." The refrain, "Time hath not yet so dried our blood," emphasizes the idea that the singer is still young and full of life, and that there is still time to enjoy the pleasures of youth. The second verse continues the theme of youth and vitality, with the lines "The sun that now is shining / Will draw our life's blood from our veins." The refrain, "Nor age hath yet decayed our hope," suggests that the singer still has dreams and aspirations that they hope to achieve before it is too late. The third verse takes a more somber turn, with the lines "The roses of our youth are fading, / And death is coming on apace." The refrain, "Nor fortune made our peace her slave," suggests that the singer has not been corrupted by wealth or power, and that they still value the simple pleasures of life. The final verse concludes with the lines "Then let us sport us while we may, / And now, like amorous birds of prey." The refrain, "Time hath not yet so dried our blood," is repeated once more, emphasizing the idea that the singer is still young and full of life, and that there is still time to enjoy the pleasures of youth. Overall, "Stay, Time, awhile thy flying" is a poignant and reflective song that captures the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living life to the fullest. Its simple melody and melancholic lyrics have made it a popular piece among both performers and audiences, and it remains a beloved work of the Renaissance era.

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