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Nymphes des bois/Requiem

Josquin Desprez (1440-1521)

Original Text

English Translation

 

Nymphes des bois, déeses des fontaines,
chantres expers de toutes nations,
changez voz voix fort clères et haultaines
en cris tranchantz et lamentations,
car d'Atropos les molestations
vostre Ockeghem par sa rigueur attrappe,
le vray trèsoir de musicque et chief d'oeuvre,
qui de trépas désormais plus n'eschappe,
dont grant doumaige est que la terre coeuvre.
Acoutrez vous d'abitz de deuil:
Josquin, Brumel, Pierchon, Compère.
et plorez grosses larmes d'oeil:
perdu avez vostre bon père.
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Cantus Firmus:
Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Woodland nymphs, fountain goddesses,
skilled singers from all nations,
change your voices so clear and high
into shrill cries and lamentations,
for Atropos' attacks
inexorably ensnare your Ockeghem,
music's true treasure and masterpiece,
who nevermore escapes from death,
whose great depredation covers the earth.
Put on your mourning garments,
Josquin, Brumel, Pierchon, Compère,
and weep great tears from your eyesÑ
you have lost your good father.
Grant to them eternal rest, O Lord,
and may perpetual light shine on them.


May he rest in peace. Amen.




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