Go Crystal Tears

John Dowland's 'Go Crystal Tears' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the deep emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The song, written in the late Renaissance period, is a testament to Dowland's mastery of expressing complex emotions through simple yet evocative language. The lyrics are a heartfelt plea from a lover who is separated from his beloved, imploring his tears and sighs to convey his sorrow and longing to her.

The imagery of 'crystal tears' and 'morning showers' evokes a sense of purity and natural beauty, suggesting that the lover's emotions are genuine and untainted. The tears are likened to dew that revives drooping flowers, symbolizing the hope that his sorrow might awaken his beloved's compassion. This metaphor highlights the lover's desperation and his belief that his suffering might eventually soften her heart.

Dowland also uses the metaphor of 'restless sighs' and 'burning breath' to describe the lover's intense longing. The 'ice of her indurate heart' represents the beloved's coldness and indifference, which the lover hopes to melt with his passionate sighs. The reference to 'forgetful Death' underscores the severity of her indifference, as it feels as final and unyielding as death itself. Despite this, the lover remains steadfast, offering his 'sighs and tears' as a sacrifice from a 'spotless heart and patient eyes,' emphasizing his unwavering devotion and purity of intent.

'Go Crystal Tears' is a timeless reflection on the pain of unrequited love, capturing the universal experience of longing and the hope that one's genuine emotions might eventually be reciprocated. Dowland's use of vivid imagery and heartfelt metaphors makes this song a powerful expression of the human condition, resonating with listeners across the ages.