Emma Kirkby: John Dowland-Time Stands Still

John Dowland (1563-1626)-Time Stands Still
from the Third Book of Songs, 1603
with Anthony Rooley, Lute.
from 'Time Stands Still'
Also on 'Emma Kirkby-Collection'
Recorded in June 1985.

Here we are invited to be still, with Time, and contemplate the figure who has stopped him in his tracks - an eternal figure, dazzling even to Cupid, who has fortune helpless at her feet. Who is this person?
The publication date of the song (1603), and the protestations in the second stanza, suggest a tribute to the Virgin Queen Elizabeth who died that year; indeed it is tempting to assign the poem to her devoted servant, Henry Lea. But beyond this this simple identification one can also look for others among the personifications so beloved by the Elisabethans - The Lady of Philosophy, for example, .who in Contemplation offered man his highest activity and best links with Eternal. Or perhaps the answer lies even beyond Philosophy, and one could see in Dowland's song a version of the picture found in the Flemish emblem books, of Time transfixed by the dazzling face of his own daughter, Truth.

'Time stands still with gazing on her face.
Stand still and gaze, for minutes , hours and years to her give place.
All other things shall change , but she remains the same;
Till heavens changed have their course and Time hath lost his name.
Cupid doth hover up and down, blinded with her fair eyes,
And Fortune captive at her feet contemned and qonquered lies.
Whom Fortune, Love and Time attend on.
Her with my fortunes, love, and time honour will alone.
If Bloodless Envy knows herself his faithful heart.
My settled vows and spotless faith no fortune can remove;
Courage shall show my inward faith, and faith shall try my love.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Emma
• Kirkby
• John
• Dowland
• Lute
• Third
• Book
• of
• Songs
• Time
• Stands
• Still

[thoroughbass]

Not only does time stand still , when I hear Emma`s voice ; it becomes totally meaningless !

[Baroquepassion]

What a beautiful song - timeless, indeed!

[lesliecrescent]

Wonderful singing words cannot express what this singing does for the listener.

[pondeflouers]

Певица удивительно хороша.

[diedalicious]

Thank you very much for this wonderful interpretation.

[JasonJason210]

Thank you.

[MegumiJones]

spellbinding!

[Lukretia90]

wonderful!

such a beautiful, clear voice... I can totally feel time standing still :)