Lachrimae Antiquae Pavane by John Dowland arr. David Watkins

In the heart of the Renaissance, John Dowland emerged as a leading luminary, his compositions reflecting the era's intellectual pursuit and emotional depth. One of Dowland's most celebrated works is his Lachrimae Pavan, a lute song whose title translates to "tears." This evocative theme inspired him to compose the collection known as Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, where he delves into the expression of seven different types of tears. Among these, the Lachrimae Antiquae Pavan stands out, later gaining fame when Dowland set it to text, creating the poignant song Flow My Tears.

Flow, my tears, fall from your springs!
Exiled for ever, let me mourn;
Where night's black bird her sad infamy sings,
There let me live forlorn.

Down vain lights, shine you no more!
No nights are dark enough for those
That in despair their last fortunes deplore.
Light doth but shame disclose.

Never may my woes be relieved,
Since pity is fled;
And tears and sighs and groans my weary days, my weary days
Of all joys have deprived.

From the highest spire of contentment
My fortune is thrown;
And fear and grief and pain for my deserts, for my deserts
Are my hopes, since hope is gone.

Hark! you shadows that in darkness dwell,
Learn to contemn light
Happy, happy they that in hell
Feel not the world's despite