This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
If fluds of teares could clense my follies past
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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If fluds of teares could clense my follies past by John Dowland — Lyrics
If floods of tears could cleanse my follies past,
And smokes of sighs might sacrifice for sin;
If groaning cries might salve my fault at last,
Or endless moan, for error pardon win:
Then would I cry, weep, sigh and ever moan,
Mine errors, faults, sins, follies past and gone.
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About If fluds of teares could clense my follies past
John Dowland, a master of English lute-song, also composed part-songs for vocal ensembles. This SATB setting of a secular English text explores themes of regret and the futility of seeking redemption through outward displays of sorrow or appeals to fickle favour. The lyrics express a profound sense of self-recrimination and the dawning realisation that such expressions are ultimately ineffectual in overcoming past errors. The music likely reflects this melancholic introspection, characteristic of Dowland's expressive style, offering a poignant exploration of human frailty and the search for genuine peace amidst one's faults.
