Nigra sum, sed formosa (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)

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• CPDL #1977: Finale-2000.
  

Editor: Pothárn Imre (added 2001-01-15).   Score information: 88 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: #3 of 'Canticum Canticorum'

General Information

Title: Nigra sum, sed formosa
Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Number of voices: 5vv  Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Sacred, Motets
Language: Latin
Instruments: none, a cappella
Published: Palestrina Werke, vol. 4

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Original text and translations

Nigra sum, sed formosa filiae Jerusalem,
sicut tabernacula Cedar, sicut pelles Salomonis.
Nolite me considerare quod fusca sim,
quia decoloravit me sol.
Filii matris meae pugnaverunt contra me,
posuerunt me custodem in vineis.
(1/5-6)

English translation I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
Do not consider me that I am brown,
because the sun hath altered my colour:
the sons of my mother have fought against me,
they have made me the keeper in the vineyards.