Rest a while you cruel cares (John Dowland)

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• CPDL #13120: MIDI and NoteWorthy Composer files available.

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2006-11-17).   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Listed alphabetically by language/nationality and composer.

• CPDL #8398:

Editor: Chandra Maeder (submitted 2004-10-30).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 65 kbytes   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Previously hosted on external site. Uploaded to CPDL server 2007-11-23.

• CPDL #5479: PDF, MIDI and Capella 4 files available.

Editor: Ulrich Alpers (submitted 2003-08-18).   Score information: A4   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• CPDL #2852: PDF, MIDI, LilyPond and ABC files available.

Editor: Laura Conrad (submitted 2001-07-17).   Copyright: GnuGPL

Edition notes: in partbook format

General Information

Title: Rest a while you cruel cares
Composer: John Dowland
Lyricist: Anonymous

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Lute song

Language: English
Instruments: Lute
Published: The First Booke of Songs or Ayres (1597), no.12

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Rest awhile, you cruel cares,
Be not more severe than love.
Beauty kills and beauty spares,
And sweet smiles sad sighs remove.
Laura, fair queen of my delight,
Come grant me love in love's despite,
And if I ever fail to honour thee,
Let this heav'nly light I see
Be as dark as hell to me.

If I speak, my words want weight,
Am I mute, my heart doth break,
If I sigh, she fears deceit,
Sorrow then for me must speak.
Cruel unkind, with favour view
The wound that first was made by you,
And if my torments feigned be,
Let this heav'nly light I see
Be as dark as hell to me.

Never hour of pleasing rest
Shall revive my dying ghost,
Till my soul hath repossessed
The sweet hope which love hath lost.
Laura, redeem the soul that dies
By fury of thy murd'ring eyes,
And if it proves unkind to thee,
Let this heav'nly light I see
Be as dark as hell to me.