His golden locks time hath to silver turn'd (John Dowland)

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Music files

• CPDL #15996: MIDI and NoteWorthy Composer files

Editor: Brian Russell (added 2008-02-15).   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Files listed alphabetically by nationality and composer. Some composers have separate pages available from their country of origin page.

• CPDL #5485: PDF, MIDI and Capella 4 files available.

Editor: Ulrich Alpers (added 2003-08-18).   Score information: A4   Copyright: Personal

• CPDL #2994: PDF, MIDI, ABC and LilyPond files.

Editor: Laura Conrad (added 2001-09-11).   Copyright: GnuGPL

Edition notes: in partbook format.

General Information

Title: His golden locks time hath to silver turn'd
Composer: John Dowland
Lyricist: George Peele (1558?-1597)

Number of voices: 4vv  Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella, but originally with lute tablature.
Published: 1597

Description: No XVIII from First Booke of Songs or Ayres (1597)

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

His golden locks Time hath to silver turned.
O Time too swift! Oh swiftness never ceasing!
His youth 'gainst Time and Age hath ever spurned,
But spurned in vain; youth waneth by increasing.
Beauty, strength, youth are flowers but fading seen;
Duty, faith, love are roots and ever green.

His helmet now shall make a hive for bees,
And lover's sonnets turn to holy psalms.
A man-at-arms must now serve on his knees,
And feed on prayers which are Age's alms.
But though from Court to cottage he depart,
His Saint is sure of his unspotted heart.

And when he saddest sits in homely cell,
He'll teach his swains this carol for a song:
Blest be the hearts that wish my Sovereign well.
Curst be the soul that think her any wrong.
Goddess, allow this aged man his right
To be your bedesman now that was your knight.