This edition was prepared by André Vierendeels — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
En esperant
Staff Notation • Secular, Chansons
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
En esperant by Pierre Certon — Lyrics
En espérant je viz en grand langueur,
en languissant, je meurs de desplaisir.
Car en t'aymant, on a de toy rigueur.
Et qui te hayt, de toy reçoit plaisir.
Ainsy convient pour le meilleur choisir:
que je te haye en faisant mon debvoir,
et sans toy aucune amour avoir,
pour estre aymé et vivre à mon désir.
Read full lyrics
About En esperant
Living in longing and dying of discontent, the poet finds himself in a cruel dilemma. If he loves his beloved, he receives only severity in return. Yet, if he hates her, she bestows her favour. The chansons of Pierre Certon, a prominent French composer of the Renaissance, often explored such secular themes with wit and musical clarity. This setting for SATB voices in the composer's native French captures the paradox with elegant part-writing, offering a clear musical depiction of the text's complex emotional landscape. The composer's skill in setting words to music is evident in this piece, which invites reflection on love's often-contrary fortunes.
