Sting - In Darkness Let Me Dwell

Sting sings this ancient song accompanied by a lute.
"In Darkness Let Me Dwell" is discussed before it is sung and the song is described as "possibly the most perfect song ever written in the English language".
Sting's voice well suits the song and he sings it brilliantly with feeling.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sting
• singer
• lute
• darkness
• perfect
• song

[JasonMasters]

Many people seem to think that this version is "not as good" as others because Sting makes the song sound dark and melancholy. Those people seem to be forgetting that this song is intended to be dark. It most definitely should not sound light-hearted or sweet, as some versions I've heard sound. At least, that's my opinion, for whatever that's worth. I think that Sting has managed to capture the intended feeling of Dowling's original song, and has done so brilliantly.

[pianomags]

It's about the feeling...it's a poem set to music and he totally gets the intention across, sounding like Sting though. I know his Madrigal jaunts got slated, but there are so few men promoting the art of early English Song I reckon this is ultimately a good thing.

[sowhatnowhere]

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."

Aldous Huxley

[purpleraven888]

That's an interesting comment JamKart. For example on fan sites, many people say they do not like his Sacred Love album, whereas it is one of my all-time faves. And I agree, it's good to hear his interpretation of Dowland. I do like it, I just like Deller's version too. I wasn't criticising him, just making an observation.

[JamKar1]

I get it, that he is not the first. But why shouldn't he raise his voice with the others? I get also that Sting's solo efforts have been very polarizing.

[purpleraven888]

The comments on Sting are interesting .... he does seem to annoy quite a few people! I'm quite sure this does not bother him one iota though - he just does exactly what he pleases (not unlike me!). People often find maverick, unpredictable types exasperating, as they can't be labelled or put into boxes. Anyway, surely what Sting does is up to him?

[purpleraven888]

Nice one Kristoph! Very droll..... though I admire Sting greatly, I highly recommend the Deller versions of Dowland's songs. I have them on a 1950's Vanguard LP and his voice is exquisite - it sounds very strange to begin with, if unused to hearing a counter tenor, but repays many, many listenings.

[tuftybox1821]

@JamKar1

??

It's been available for years, by musicians trained in Elizabethan music techniques. I don't depise Sting for this at all though, and his discussion was very interesting - he is a musician, after all. But to my ear his voice is too rough and breathy - like trying to polish a pearl with sandpaper. Deller's your man. An exquisite voice for exquisite music.

[Kristoph1991]

A quote of my friend upon hearing this "Oh Sting, where is thy death?"



[JamKar1]

Bravo to Sting for getting Dowland's music out there for us to hear!

[GyveTurckee]

Haha, these kids....."ancient"

[ilgatos]

WOW!! I never hear this song. It's Wonderfull !! Great lirycs.