What if I never speed (John Dowland)

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• (Posted 2024-11-14)  CPDL #82721:         

Editor: Ulrich S. Kapp (submitted 2024-11-14).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 71 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: The score is based on song No. IX of John Dowland's "THIRD AND LAST BOOKE OF SONGS OR AIRES".

I have put the notes of the Song into a modern format, edited the texts to suit a more modern spelling without changing the original character of the old English language too much, and added rests where necessary to make the score more readable and, above all, more singable.

I hope that all madrigal-singers will appreciate this.

Update: Changed the time signature to 4/2 since it now matches Dowland's original bar lines. – & some other improvements.

• (Posted 2017-04-07)  CPDL #43916:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2017-04-07).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 48 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Reformatting of #9209, with corrections. English modernised.

• (Posted 2013-01-05)  CPDL #27976:         

Editor: Ulrich Kapp (submitted 2013-01-05).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 1.18 MB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Open source MuseScore notation software may be downloaded freely.

• (Posted 2006-01-09)  CPDL #09209:         

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2006-01-09).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 26 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer.

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

• (Posted 2001-09-11)  CPDL #02998:  PDF, MIDI and LilyPond files available.

Editor: Laura Conrad (submitted 2001-09-11).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 80 kB   Copyright: GnuGPL

Edition notes: In partbook format, listed under "What if I never speed?"

General Information

Title: What if I never speed
Composer: John Dowland

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella (originally with lute tablature)

First published: 1603 in The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires, no. 9
Description: 

External websites:

• Performance of the original lute song, arranged for classical guitar and alto voice (video)

Original text and translations

English text

What if I never speed,
shall I straight yield to despair,
and still on sorrow feed
that can no loss repair;
or shall I change my love,
for I find pow'r to depart,
and in my reason prove
I can command my heart?
But if she will pity my desire,
and my love requite,
then ever shall she live my dear delight.
Come, come, come, while I have a heart to desire thee.
Come, come, come, for either I will love or admire thee.

Oft have I dreamed of joy,
yet I never felt the sweete,
But tired with annoy,
my griefs each other greete.
Oft have I left my hope,
as a wretch by fate forlorn,
But Love aims at one scope,
and lost will still returne.
He that once loves with a true desire
never can depart,
For Cupid is the king of every heart.
Come, come, come, while I have a heart to desire thee.
Come, come, come, for either I will love or admire thee.