Weep You No More Sad Fountains
Sting Lyrics


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Weep you no more, sad fountains;
What need you flow so fast?
Look how the snowy mountains
Heav'n's sun doth gently waste.
But my sun's heav'nly eyes
View not your weeping
That now lies sleeping,
Softly, softly, now softly lies sleeping.

Sleep is a reconciling,
A rest that peace begets.
Doth not the sun rise smiling
When fair at e'en he sets
Rest you then, rest, sad eyes,
Melt not in weeping




While she lies sleeping,
Softly, softly, now softly lies sleeping.

Overall Meaning

Sting's song Weep You No More Sad Fountains is a sad yet tranquil lullaby that urges the listener not to weep anymore. The opening lines, "Weep you no more, sad fountains; What need you flow so fast?" is a metaphorical reminder to the flow of tears that tend to overflow during sad times. Sting's soothing voice, coupled with the melody, speaks to the listener's heart and mind, urging them to rest and reconcile. The snowy mountains are symbolic of the heights of heaven and the gentle sun, a metaphor for the love that goes beyond the earthly plane.


Sting then compares the rest of sleep to a reconciling power, a rest that brings peace. He reminds the listener to imagine the sun rising after setting, just like life after death. He advises the sad eyes to rest, not to melt in weeping, and instead of resting, stay softly. He says, "while she lies sleeping," referring to the person who has died, possibly a lover, friend, or relative. Perhaps the song was written to the person left behind to reassure them to find comfort in their loss and keep their memory alive.


Line by Line Meaning

Weep you no more, sad fountains;
Stop crying, you sorrowful water sources.


What need you flow so fast?
Why are you rushing so quickly?


Look how the snowy mountains
Watch how the white peaks


Heav'n's sun doth gently waste.
Slowly lose their brightness as the sun sets.


But my sun's heav'nly eyes
But the eyes of my loved one


View not your weeping
Do not see your tears


That now lies sleeping,
While she is now sleeping,


Softly, softly, now softly lies sleeping.
Quietly, quietly, now she rests.


Sleep is a reconciling,
Sleep can bring harmony,


A rest that peace begets.
A break that results in tranquility.


Doth not the sun rise smiling
Doesn't the sun rise happily


When fair at e'en he sets
When it is setting in the evening


Rest you then, rest, sad eyes,
You too should rest, sad eyes,


Melt not in weeping
Don't dissolve in tears


While she lies sleeping,
While she slumbers,


Softly, softly, now softly lies sleeping.
Quietly, quietly, now she rests.




Contributed by Anthony D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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