This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Die not before thy day
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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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.
SB · Brian Russell
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Die not before thy day by John Dowland — Lyrics
Die not before thy day, poor man condemned,
But lift thy low looks from the humble earth,
kiss not despair and see sweet hope condemned:
The hag hath no delight, but moan for mirth,
O fie poor fondling, O fie poor fondling,
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About Die not before thy day
John Dowland's Die not before thy day is a secular song for two voices, S and B, in English. The text offers encouragement to someone in despair, urging them to embrace hope rather than succumb to misery. It depicts hope as a protector, bidding the listener to escape their troubles and preserve themselves from self-destruction. The music, in the style of the English madrigal, sets this message of resilience with direct and persuasive harmonies, typical of the genre's expressive qualities. This piece offers a poignant reflection on the struggle against despair, delivered with the characteristic melodic grace of Dowland's writing.
