If fluds of teares could clense my follies past (John Dowland)

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  • (Posted 2012-04-15)  CPDL #25968:         
Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2012-04-15).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 20 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Reformatting of #16801, with minor alterations to underlay.
  • (Posted 2008-05-06)  CPDL #16801:         
Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2008-05-06).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 22 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer.
  • (Posted 2006-06-13)  CPDL #11868:        (Finale 2006)
Editor: Daniel Harmer (submitted 2006-06-13).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 72 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes:

General Information

Title: If fluds of teares could clense my follies past
Composer: John Dowland

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: English
Instruments: Lute or a cappella

First published: 1600 in The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres, no. 11
Description: 

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

If floods of tears could cleanse my follies past,
And smokes of sighs might sacrifice for sin;
If groaning cries might salve my fault at last,
Or endless moan, for error pardon win:
Then would I cry, weep, sigh and ever moan,
Mine errors, faults, sins, follies past and gone.

I see my hopes must wither in their bud;
I see my favours are no lasting flower.
I see that words will breed no better good
Than loss of time and light'ning, but at hours.
Thus when I see, then thus I say therefore,
That favours, hopes and words can blind no more.