Burst forth my tears (John Dowland)

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• CPDL #17858: 

Editor: David Newman (submitted 2008-08-21).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 125 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Cross posting by Art Song Central - Edition is in G Minor with Lute tabulature.

• CPDL #13114:  NoteWorthy Composer

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2006-11-17).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 36 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

• CPDL #05475:  PDF, MIDI and Capella 4 files available.

Editor: Ulrich Alpers (submitted 2003-08-18).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 56 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• CPDL #02991:  PDF, MIDI and ABC files available.

Editor: Laura Conrad (submitted 2001-09-11).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 86 kB   Copyright: GnuGPL

Edition notes: in partbook format.

General Information

Title: Burst forth, my tears
Composer: John Dowland
Lyricist: Anonymous lyricist

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Secular, Lute song

Language: English
Instruments: Lute
Published: The First Booke of Songs or Ayres (1597), no.8

Description:

External websites:

• Entry at the "Lied and Art Song Texts Page".

Original text and translations

English text

1. Burst forth, my tears, assist my forward grief,
And show what pain imperious Love provokes.
Kind tender lambs, lament Love's scant relief
And pine, since pensive Care my freedom yokes.
O pine to see me pine, my tender flocks.

2. Sad, sad pining Care, that never may have peace,
At Beauty's gate in hope of pity knocks.
But Mercy sleeps while deep Disdain increase,
And Beauty Hope in her fair bosom locks.
O grieve to hear my grief, my tender flocks.

3. Like, like to the winds my sighs have winged been,
Yet are my sighs and suits repaid with mocks.
I plead, yet she repineth at my teen.
O ruthless rigour harder than the rocks,
That both the shepherd kills and his poor flocks.

Polish translation by Stanisław Jonczyk

1. Płyńcie, łzy moje, smutku towarzyski,
Ukażcie cierpienie przez miłość zadane.
Spójrzcie, miłe owieczki - nikłą ulgę płacz niesie,
Gdy serce jest troską, tęsknotą spętane.
Zatęsknijcie wraz ze mną owieczki kochane.

2. Tęsknota i troska, spokoju zaznać nie mogąc,
Nadzieją wiedzione do Jej bram kołaczą.
Lecz w sercu niewiasty nie ma litości,
Wzgardzona, nadzieja ginie, prośby nic nie znaczą.
Płacze pastuszek i owieczki płaczą.

3. Niczym wiatr, me westchnienia na skrzydłach się wzniosły,
Odpowiedzią jedyną był pusty śmiech.
Błagania - przyczynkiem uciechy krótkiej,
Bezwzględność najokrutniejszą bywa spośród cech.
Owieczki i pastucha zabija. Ostatni odbiera im dech.