Adieu, mes amours

Jean Mouton was a French composer of the late Renaissance, a master of polyphony whose works bridge the sacred and secular traditions. This four-part chanson, Adieu, mes amours, is a fine example of secular part-music from the period. The text, sung in French, expresses the composer's lament at parting from his loves, driven by a lack of money. He humorously questions whether he can live on air, or if the king's finances will soon improve to alleviate his woes. The music likely reflects this mood of affectionate farewell and wry concern, characteristic of the chanson genre.