Some New English Lyrics

[minstrlmummr]

I wrote these up at Pennsic this year (I'm undecided whether the habit of writing lyrics while AT the event is a bug or a feature--I've had some very satisfactory results from such compositions).     They were debuted while I did "medieval radio" / wallpaper music, alternating with Sol la Cantor, at the State Dinner Tuesday night.   She did music from Poland, Norway and Denmark as well as (I think) France and Italy, which impressed the heck out of me   8)    I was grateful to Mistress Anne for both the opportunity and the suggestion that we two, the last two performers, alternate songs until whenever the dinner broke up or needed to break up.  

For the first time, I resigned myself to part-rhymes or near-rhymes in some places, and any suggestions for alternate phrasings would be welcomed.

DINDIRINDIN  (anon., 15th c., Cancionero de Palacio)

Original Spanish:
Chorus:  Dindirin, dindirin, dindirindana, dindirindin.

Je me leve un bel matin, martinata per la prata;
Encontre le ruysenor, que cantaba so la rama, Dindirindin.

Chorus

Encontre le ruysenor, que cantabe so la rama,
Ruysenor, le ruysenor, facteme aquesta embaxata, Dindirindin.

Chorus

Ruysenor, le ruysenor, facteme aquesta embaxata,
Y digalo a mon ami que je ya so maritata, Dindirindin.

Chorus

Tess Knighton's Translation (From the Gothic Voices CD "Voice In The Garden")

I arose one fine morning, and spent the morning in the meadow;
I found the nightingale singing on the bough, Dindirindin.

I found the nightingale singing on the bough.
Nightingale, oh Nightingale, make me this embassy, Dindirindin.

Nightingale, oh Nightingale, make me this embassy:
And say to my lover that I am already a married woman, Dindirindin.

My Lyrics:

In the morn I left my bed; to a meadow I betook me.
I beheld a nightingale--on a branch he sang so prettily, Dindirindin.

I beheld a nightingale--on a branch he sang so prettily.
Nightingale, oh Nightingale, you must bear a message for me, Dindirindin.

Nightingale, oh Nightingale, you must bear a message for me.
Tell the man I love so well, to another I have been married, Dindirindin.

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TRES MORILLAS  (anon., 15th c., Cancionero de Palacio)

Original Spanish:

Tres morillas m'enamoran en Jaen, Axa y Fatima y Marien.

Tres morillas tan garridas yvan a coger olivas,
Y hallavanlas cogidas en Jaen, Axa y Fatima y Marien.

Y hallavanlas cogidas y tornavan desmaidas,
Y las colores perdidas en Jaen, Axa y Fatima y Marien.

Tres moricas tan locanas (lozanas?), tres moricas tan locanas,
Yvan a coger mancanas (manzanas) en Jaen, Axa y Fatima y Marien.

Tess Knighton's Translation (from the Margaret Philpot CD "From A Spanish Palace Songbook"):

I fell in love with three Moorish girls in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

Three such pretty girls went to pick olives;
But they found them already picked in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

And they found them already picked, and turned back fainting
And the color drained from their faces in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

Three such attractive Moorish girls, Three such attractive Moorish girls
Went to pick apples in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

My Lyrics:

I beheld three Moorish maidens in Jaen--Axa, Fatima and Marien.

These three lovely Moorish maidens sought what olives were remaining;
Barren olive-branches waving in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

Barren olive-branches waving, Moorish maidens fall back, fainting;
Color from their faces draining in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

These three lovely Moorish maidens, apple-picking Moorish maidens,
Apple branches heavy-laden in Jaen, Axa, Fatima and Marien.

Comments

Vivat!!!

[darklilli.livejournal.com]

Wow! great stuff!

My brain went into filk mode on the way home...I now have "Wee be Ostgardri" in my book...and I need cheese rounds....

Re: Vivat!!!

[minstrlmummr.livejournal.com]

::::trepidation::::

Cheese...rounds? 8)

Re: Vivat!!!

[darklilli.livejournal.com]

Yeah, cheese rounds...

Wee be Ostgardri/Pardona moy, je vous en pree
Lately come from the buttery/With cheese rounds for the many!

You will just have to wait for the rest...