Ditemi, vita mia (Orlando di Lasso)

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(Posted 2021-08-25) CPDL #65583:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2021-08-25). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 157 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Ditemi, vita mia
Composer: Orlando di Lasso
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 7vv Voicing: SAT.SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1584 in Musica de diversi auttori (Vincenti and Amadino), no. 5, p. 5
2nd published: 1590 in Dialoghi musicali (Angelo Gardano), no. 4
3rd published: 1609 in Hortus musicalis (ed. Michael Herrer) – sacred contrafact, Book 3, no. 17
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Ditemi, vita mia, non sete voi
Quella che con gran fede servir soglio?
  Sì, vita mia, ch’io sono e esser voglio.
Ditemi, car mio ben, non sete quella
Ch’al primo sguardo mi piagasti il core?
  Sì, vita mia, che così vols’Amore.
Ditemi, cor mio car, questo bel viso
A me sol non l’havete dato in dono?
  Sì, vita, e anco tutta vostra sono.
Dunque, speranza mia, basciami tanto.
Quant’ho sparso per voi lacrim’e pianto
Di gratia, e tien di me la palm’e’l vanto.

German translation

Sagt mir, mein Leben, seid ihr nicht
die, der ich mit großer Treue zu dienen pflege?
Ja, mein Leben, da bin ich und will es sein.
Sagt mir, meine teure Liebste, seid ihr nicht die,
die auf den ersten Blick mein Herz verwundet hat?
Ja, mein Leben, denn so wollte es Amor.
Sagt mir, mein teures Herz, dieses schöne Antlitz,
habt ihr es nicht mir allein zum Geschenk gemacht?
Ja, mein Leben, und sogar völlig bin ich euer.
Darum, meine Hoffnung, küsse mich viele Male.
So viel habe ich für euch vergossen Tränen und Klagen
der Dankbarkeit, und habe nun Ehre und Ruhm.

Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation

Tell me, my life, aren’t you
the one I use to serve with great fidelity?
Yes, my life, I am and want to be.
Tell me, my dear love, aren’t you the one
that has wounded my heart at first sight?
Yes, my life, for so did want it Amor.
Tell me, my dear heart, this beautiful face,
haven’t you given it only to me as a gift?
Yes, my life, and even completely I am yours.
Hence, my hope, kiss me many times.
So may tears and complaints I have versed for you
of gratefulness, and now have fame and glory.