(eh, damma zho-lee-ay)
Trouvere song circa. 1200
Poetic rendering by Master Efenwealt Wystle
copyright © 1999 by Scott F. Vaughan
based on a literal translation from Historical Anthology of Music, vol 1
Listen to it at Soundclick.com
| E, dame jolie Mon cuer sans fauceir Met en vostre bailie Ke ne sai vo peir So vant me voix conplaignant Et an mon cuer dolosant D'u ne ma laid die Dont tous li mous an amant Doit avoir le cuer joiant Cui teilz malz maistrie Si forment magrie Li douls malz da meir Ke par sa signorie Me covient chanteir |
Oh, dear lady, gentle and fair Know my words are true I leave my heart within your care For none compare to you Long the hours I grieve, complain In my heart I know such pain Though in truth I should delight Any lover, any man In my place would gladly stand suff'ring from this tragic plight Such the joy and gladness you bring Grief shall I withstand So I'll rejoice, yes I shall sing At my heart's command |
I stumbled upon this piece in an old edition of the Historical Anthology of Music
labeled as an anonymous trouvere song. That would place it in northern France around
1200-1400. I liked the song so much I decided to rewrite their translation of the lyrics
into something more singable in English. My version tries to keep the same spirit of the
original without necessarily being literal. I've also tried to maintain a similar rhyme
scheme and meter. Since there is no author recorded with it, I like to imagine its a love
song written by Master Abelard for his lady Heloise...
This work is copyright © 1999 by Scott F. Vaughan (aka Master Efenwealt Wystle). The
lyrics are published here for limited personal use only. Any other reproductions
(electronic, printed, audio, etc.) are prohibited. Vocal performace of the piece at events
and other functions of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. is permissable so long
as the author is given credit.
The next song on the CD is Heloise and
Abelard
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