by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Now, oh now I needs must part
Language: English
I Now, oh 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 which then offends. II Dear when I from thee am gone, Gone are all my joys at once, I lov'd 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 doth sense bereave, Never shall affection die. Sad despair doth drive me hence; This despair unkindness sends. If that parting be offence, It is she which then offends. III 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 liv'd and dieth true. Sad despair doth drive me hence; This despair unkindness sends. If that parting be offence, It is she which then offends.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by John Dowland (1562 - 1626), "Now, oh now I needs must part", from First Book of Songs or Airs [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 39
Word count: 209