Unquiet thoughts (John Dowland)

From ChoralWiki

Music files

• CPDL #9211: MIDI and NoteWorthy Composer files available.

Editor: Brian Russell (added 2005-08-30).   Score information: Letter   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• CPDL #5468: PDF, MIDI and Capella 4 files available.

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

Edition notes:

• CPDL #4322: PDF, MIDI and Lilypond files available.
  

Editor: Peter Chubb (added 2002-12-07).   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Source: The First book of Songes or Ayres

• CPDL #987: PDF, MIDI and ABC files available.

Editor: Laura Conrad (added 2000-06-21).   Copyright: GnuGPL

Edition notes: in partbook format.

General Information

Title: Unquiet thoughts
Composer: John Dowland

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Lute song

Language: English
Instruments: Lute
Published: 1597

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

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Unquiet thoughts your civil slaughter stint,
and wrap your wrongs within a pensive heart:
and you my tongue that makes my mouth a mint,
and stamps my thoughts to coin them words by art,
Be still: for if you ever do the like,
I'll cut the string,
that makes the hammer strike.

But what can slay my thoughts they may not start,
or put my tongue in durance for to die?
When as these eyes, the keys of mouth and heart,
Open the lock where all my love doth lie;
I'll seal them up within their lids for ever:
So thoughts and words,
and looks shall die together

How shall I then gaze on my mistress' eyes?
My thoughts must have some vent:
else heart will break.
My tongue would rust as in my mouth it lies,
If eyes and thoughts were free, and that not speak.
Speak then, and tell the passions of desire;
Which turns mine eyes to floods,
my thoughts to fire.