Dowland – Now, O now, I needs must part

Song Information

Title: Now, O now, I needs must part

Music: John Dowland (1563-1626)

Text: John Dowland (1563-1626)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

  • The lute part can be heard on Guitar thanks to Jon Sayles

MIDI:

Song Text

Now, O now, I needs must part,
Parting though I absent mourn.
Absence can no joy impart,
Joy once fled cannot return.
While I live I needs must love;
Love lives not when Hope is gone.
Now at last Despair doth prove
Love divided loveth none.
Sad despair doth drive me hence;
This despair unkindness sends.
If that parting be offence,
It is she that then offends.

Dear, when I am from thee gone,
Gone are all my joys at once.
I loved thee and thee alone,
In whose love I joyed once.
And although your sight I leave,
Sight wherein my joys do lie,
Till that death do sense bereave
Never shall affection die.
Sad despair doth drive me hence;
This despair unkindness sends.
If that parting be offence,
It is she that then offends.

Dear, if I do not return
Love and I shall die together;
For my absence never mourn,
Whom you might have joyed ever.
Part we must, though now I die,
Die I do to part with you.
Him Despair doth cause to lie,
Who both lived and dieth true.
Sad despair doth drive me hence;
This despair unkindness sends.
If that parting be offence,
It is she that then offends.

Resources