Unquiet thoughts (John Dowland)

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CPDL #26073:    

Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2012-05-02).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 108 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: SATB plus lute tablature. Based on 1613 edition, incorporating substantial revisions from earlier editions.

• CPDL #09211:  NoteWorthy Composer

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2005-08-30).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 30 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

Possible error(s) identified. Error summary: Some note and underlay errors See the discussion page for full description.

• CPDL #05468:  PDF, MIDI and Capella 4 files available.

Editor: Ulrich Alpers (submitted 2003-08-18).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 22 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• CPDL #04322:  PDF, MIDI and LilyPond files available

Editor: Peter Chubb (submitted 2002-12-07).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 57 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

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

• CPDL #00987:  PDF, MIDI and ABC files available.

Editor: Laura Conrad (submitted 2000-06-21).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 91 kB   Copyright: GnuGPL

Edition notes: in partbook format.

General Information

Title: Unquiet thoughts
Composer: John Dowland

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Secular, Partsong

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.

Polish translation by Stanisław Jonczyk
Niespokojne myśli, dość już tej jatki!
Schowajcie swą grzeszność we wrażliwe serce.
I ty języku, co w słów strojne szatki
Ubierasz je, nie mów nic więcej.
Zamilknij! A jeśli choć słówko piśniesz
Na szubienicy milczenia na zawsze zawiśniesz.

Lecz po cóż wstrzymywać mam myśli swoje
Lub język zniewolić w przepastnym ust lochu.
Kiedy serca mojego podwoje
Otwarte być mogą kluczem mych oczu?
W szkatułce je zamknę, a kluczyk schowam,
I zginą razem - spojrzenia, myśli i słowa.

Jak mógłbym więc spojrzeć mej pani w oczy?
Uczuciom mym ujście wszak znaleźć muszę.
Mój język w rdzy kupkę się przeistoczy,
Li nie wypowiem, co w sobie duszę.
Mów tedy! Wyraź swą żądzę i pragnienie,
Co w źródła rzek zmienia oczy, a myśli w płomienie.