Flow, my tears

John Dowland's 'Flow, my tears' is a poignant exploration of sorrow and despair, encapsulated in the melancholic tones of the Elizabethan era. The song's lyrics are a lamentation, expressing a deep sense of loss and hopelessness. Dowland, a renowned composer and lutenist of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, was known for his melancholic compositions, and 'Flow, my tears' is one of his most famous works. The song's opening line, 'Flow, my tears, fall from your springs!' immediately sets a tone of profound sadness, as the speaker calls for an outpouring of tears, symbolizing an unending well of sorrow.

The imagery of 'night's black bird' and 'vain lights' further deepens the sense of despair. The black bird, often associated with omens and death, sings of 'sad infamy,' suggesting a life marred by disgrace and sorrow. The speaker rejects the light, as it only serves to highlight their misery, preferring the darkness where their despair can remain hidden. This rejection of light and embrace of darkness is a common theme in Dowland's work, reflecting the Elizabethan fascination with melancholy as a profound and almost noble state of being.

The song's final stanza, 'Hark! you shadows that in darkness dwell,' calls out to those who live in perpetual darkness, urging them to scorn the light. The speaker finds a twisted sense of solace in the idea that those in hell are spared the scorn of the world. This bleak outlook is a hallmark of Dowland's music, which often delves into the depths of human emotion, exploring themes of unrequited love, loss, and existential despair. 'Flow, my tears' is a masterful example of how music can convey the deepest human emotions, resonating with listeners across the centuries.