Osculetur me/Nigra sum (Mathieu Gascongne)

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(Posted 2022-10-09) CPDL #71067:

Editor: Bert Schreuder (submitted 2022-10-09). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 280 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a fourth.

General Information

Title: Osculetur me/Nigra sum
Composer: Mathieu Gascongne
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: ATTB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: ca. 1530
Description: Four-part motet on texts from Song of Songs 1:1-6. In the ‘Nigra sum’ section the singular is used in ‘filia Jersusalem’, interpreting the phrase as coming from the Virgin Mary, speaking about herself.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Latin text

1:1 Osculetur me osculo oris sui; quia meliora sunt ubera tua vino.
1:2 Fragrantia unguentis optimis;
oleum effusum nomen tuum;
ideo adulescentulae dilexerunt te.
1:3a Trahe me post te, curremus in odorem unguentorum tuorum.
1:4a Nigra sum sed formosa, filia Jerusalem.
1:5a Nolite me considerare quod fusca sim, quia decoloravit me sol.
1:5c Posuerunt me custodem in vineis.
6 Indica mihi, quem diligit anima mea, ubi pascas, ubi cubes in meridie,
ne vagari incipiam post greges sodalium tuorum.

English text

1:1 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is more delightful than wine.
1:2 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out;
no wonder the young women love you!
1:3a Draw me along with you, and let us fly in the scent of your perfume.
1:4a Dark am I, yet lovely, daughter of Jerusalem.
1:5a Do not think that I am dark, for the sun has changed my colour.
1:5c They made me keeper of the vineyards.
1:6 Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest at midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of your companions.