Story Behind the Song
John Dowland was a melancholic. This song was written about 1607. He was the court lutenist to the King of Denmark, and well known for his music. £
Lyrics
Flow my tears, fall from your springs,
Exiled forever, let me mourn.
Where night's black bird her sad infamy sing,
There let me live forlorne.
Down vain lights, shine you no more.
No nights are dark enough for those
Who in despair, their lost fortunes deplore,
Light doth but shame disclose.
Never may my woes be releaved, since pity is fled,
And sighs, and tears, and groans, my weary days of all joy have deprived.
Hark you shadows that in darkness dwell,
Learn to contemn light.
Hapy, hapy they that in Hell fell not the world's despite.
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