Si le coqu (Clément Janequin)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Web Page
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2023-02-19)  CPDL #72723: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2023-02-19).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 168 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. This edition is offered at original pitch for SATB or transposed down a fourth for ATTB. Modernised French underlay

General Information

Title: Si le coqu
Composer: Clément Janequin
Lyricist: Anonymous
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicings: SATB or ATTB
Genre: Secular, Chanson

Language: French
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1549 in Livre 30: 28 chansons a 4 (Pierre Attaingnant), no. 25
Description: 

Original text and translations

French text Si le coqu en ce moys de mai chante, Ce nest amour mais toutte meschanson. Son contrepoinct par redites deschante De tout discord usant des meschant. Nescouttez donc des coquz la chanson, Ne du prive coqu ne du sauvaige Car chaschun deux cherche son avantaige Au nid daltruy chantent toutte saison Dont les petitz chantent au boys ramaige Les grandz coquz chantent en la maison.

French text  modernised Si le coucou en ce mois de Mai chante, Ce n'est amour mais toute méchanson. Son contrepoint par redites déchante De tout discorde usant de méchant. N'écoutez donc des coucous la chanson, Ni du privé coucou ni du sauvage Car chacun d'eux cherche son avantage Au nid d'autrui chantent toute saison Dont les petits chantent au bois ramage Les grands coucous chantent en la maison.

English translation In this month of May, if the cuckoo sings, 'Tis not of love but malice; His counterpoint of warbled twitterings All wearisome discord from mischief. So listen not to the song of the cuckoo, Be it caged bird or wild; Each pursues his best interests. They sing all season in the nest of another The small ones sing in wooded bowers, The large cuckoos sing in the house. (trans Timmi O'Danaos & Donna Ferrentes)