Nigra sum sed formosa (Heinrich Finck)

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• (Posted 2024-03-19)  CPDL #79610:      (first part) (second part)  

Editor: Andreas Stenberg (submitted 2024-03-19).   Score information: A4, 9 pages, 149 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: A semi-diplomatic edition.

General Information

Title: Nigra sum sed formosa
Composer: Heinrich Finck
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: c. 1530
Description: A Motet in two parts with text from Canticum Canticorum 1:4-5a from D-Dl Ms Mus. 1/D/505 (Annaberger Chorbuch I) Sächsische Landesbibliothek, Dresden, Germany. The ascription of this motet to Finck is uncertain as there is no ascription neither in the Annaberger choirbook nor in the Glogauer liederbuch.

Original text and translations

Latin text nigra sum sed formonsa filiae Hierusalem sicut tabernacula Cedar sicut pelles Salomonis nolite me considerare quod fusca sim quia decoloravit me sol

English translation I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my colour: (Douay-Rheims)