O comme heureux (Pierre Certon)

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(Posted 2022-04-19) CPDL #68902:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2022-04-19). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 105 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed up a major third, to make it suitable for SATB.

(Posted 2022-04-19) CPDL #68901:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2022-04-19). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 105 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original pitch.

General Information

Title: O comme heureux
Composer: Pierre Certon
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicings: ATTB or SATB
Genre: Secular, Chanson

Language: French
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1540 in Livre 9: 27 chansons a 4 (Pierre Attaingnant), Edition 1, no. 2
2nd published: 1559 in Le second trophée de musique (Robert Granjon), no. 4
3rd published: 1561 in Premier recueil des recueilz de chansons (Le Roy & Ballard), no. 7
Description: See the similar text, certainly deriving from the same source, used by Orlando di Lasso.

External websites:

Original text and translations

French text

O comme heureux testimeroys, mon cueur,
Si ce nenny estoit encore a dire.
Helas, mon dieu, dou me vient ce malheur,
Que ie voulu a lheure contredire.
Au plus grant bien je ne pouvoys eslire?
Estoit-ce peur de soubdain changement ?
Ie croy que non, mais cest que ie desire,
De naymer rien fors que moy seullement.

German translation

O wie glücklich schätzte ich dich, mein Herz,
wenn dieses Nein noch unausgesprochen wäre.
Ach, mein Gott, woher kommt dieses Unglück,
dass ich nun widerstehen wollte
dem größten Gut, das ich erwählen konnte?
War es Angst vor einer plötzlichen Änderung?
Ich glaube nicht, aber das ist es, was ich wünsche:
nichts zu lieben außer nur mich selbst.

Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation

O how happy I would deem you, my heart,
if this No were still to be said.
Alas, my God, where does this misfortune come from
that I would resist now
to the highest good I could elect?
Was it fear of a sudden change?
I think not, but this is which I desire:
to love nothing beside myself now.