This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Burst forth, my tears
Staff Notation • Secular, Lute songs
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Brian Russell
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Burst forth, my tears by John Dowland — Lyrics
Burst forth, my tears, assist my forward grief,
And show what pain imperious Love provokes.
Kind tender lambs, lament Love's scant relief
And pine, since pensive Care my freedom yokes.
O pine to see me pine, my tender flocks.
Sad, sad pining Care, that never may have peace,
At Beauty's gate in hope of pity knocks.
But Mercy sleeps while deep Disdain increase,
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About Burst forth, my tears
John Dowland’s Burst forth, my tears is a poignant expression of unrequited love, setting to music a text that laments the pains inflicted by imperious Love. This setting for SATB voices captures the shepherd’s despair as his pleas for mercy are met with disdain. The lyrical content, full of pining and grief, is powerfully conveyed through the vocal lines, reflecting the sorrowful theme. Originally conceived as a lute song, this arrangement for unaccompanied choir allows the rich harmonies and emotional depth of Dowland’s writing to resonate. It is a potent example of secular English Renaissance part-music, suitable for a choir seeking to explore the expressive power of vocal polyphony in setting deeply felt poetic sentiments.
