Bryd one brere (Anonymous): Difference between revisions

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Bird on a briar, bird on a briar, mankind has come of love, love to crave.
Bird on a briar, bird on a briar, mankind has come of love, love to crave.
Blissful bird, on me have pity, or build, love, build me my grave.
Blissful bird, rue thou on me, or ready, love, ready thou me my grave.
I am so blithe, so blithe, bird on a briar, When I see that maid in the hall.
I am so blithe, so blithe, bird on a briar, When I see that maid in the hall.
She is white of limb, lovely, :true, She is fair and the flower of all.
She is white of limb, lovely, :true, She is fair and the flower of all.

Revision as of 14:46, 5 October 2015

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  • (Posted 2007-10-01)  CPDL #15110:  Icon_pdf.gif Icon_snd.gif ABC
Editor: Kitty Briton (submitted 2007-09-28).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 82 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: ABC file zipped.

General Information

Title: Bryd one brere
Composer: Anonymous

Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: T

Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: Middle English
Instruments: A cappella

Published: c. 1300

Description: The First English Love Song.

Once upon a time, a bored English cleric flipped over a papal bull which was already a hundred years old and
began to write down a song. That song today is recognized as being the oldest extant English love song.
Bryd one Brere is an honest confession of undying love (from the poet to a bird in a tree), devotion, and
praise of a lady. It eloquently conveys the very heart of amor courtoise. Its soaring melody is one of the
most beautiful melodies ever written, yet it conveys some element of bittersweetness.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Bird on a briar, bird on a briar, mankind has come of love, love to crave.
Blissful bird, rue thou on me, or ready, love, ready thou me my grave.
I am so blithe, so blithe, bird on a briar, When I see that maid in the hall.
She is white of limb, lovely, :true, She is fair and the flower of all.
Might her I have at my will, steadfast of love, lovely, and true,
Of my sorrow she might me save, Joy and bliss were ever new to me.