Thomas Campion. Lyrical Poem. 'Author of Light'. (song)

Two Bookes of Ayres:
The First Booke
I.
by Thomas Campion.

Author of light, reuiue my dying spright ;
Redeeme it from the snares of all-confounding night.
Lord, light me to thy blessed way :
For blinde with worldly vaine desires, I wander as a stray.
Sunne and Moone, Starres and vnderlights I see,
But all their glorious beames are mists and darknes, being
compar'd to thee.

Fountaine of health, my soules deepe wounds recure,
Sweet showres of pitty raine, wash my vncleannesse pure.
One drop of thy desired grace
The faint and fading hart can raise, and in ioyes bosome
place. 10
Sinne and Death, Hell and tempting Fiends may rage ;
But God his owne will guard, and their sharp paines and
grief in time asswage.

Music:
"Author of Light" by Campion, Thomas (1567-1620).
Sequenced by Harald Lillmeyer. Used with permission.

RealAudio sample from the CD
Awake, Sweet Love.

RealAudio sample from the CD
Greensleeves: A Collection of English Lute Songs.

RealAudio sample from the CD
A Quiet Conscience: 17th century Songs.

Source:
Campion, Thomas. Campion's Works. Percival Vivian, Ed.
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1909. 117.

A recording of this song is
available in the collections:

Greensleeves: A Collection
of English Lute Songs

Campion: Elizabethan Songs

Campion: Lute Music

Campion: Ayres

to the Works of Thomas Campion