Renaissance · 1600
Flow my tears
J. Dowland
- Key
- Am
- Time
- C
- Tempo
- ♩=60
- AO focus
- AO3
Incipit
Form
Lute song — solo voice with lute accompaniment (often performed today with guitar or harpsichord). Strophic with three verses. Originally published in Dowland's 'Second Book of Songs' (1600).
Teaching points
- Lute song genre — most popular English vocal music of c.1600
- Falling tear motif — the opening melodic descent (A–G–F–E) literally depicts weeping
- AO3: connection to Dowland's instrumental 'Lachrimae' pavan — same opening tetrachord, instrumental variations
Full score ↓Public domain
Score: CPDL + IMSLP, all public domain.