This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
En m'oyant chanter
Staff Notation • Secular, Chansons
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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En m'oyant chanter by Orlando di Lasso — Lyrics
Original text
En m'oyant chanter quelquefois,
Tu te plains qu'estre je ne daigne
Musicien, et que ma voix
Mérite bien que l'on m'enseigne :
Voire, que la peine je preigne
D'apprendre ut, ré, mi, fa, sol, la.
Que diable veuxtu que j'apreigne ?
Je ne boy que trop sans cela.
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About En m'oyant chanter
This delightful four-part chanson by Orlando di Lasso offers a lighthearted take on the life of a musician, perhaps as sung at a social gathering. The text playfully laments criticism of the singer's musical ability, suggesting a preference for drinking over rigorous study. Di Lasso's setting captures the witty and slightly defiant spirit of the French lyrics. The SATB voicing allows for rich harmonic interplay, characteristic of secular Renaissance part-music, making it an engaging piece for a choir looking to explore the lighter side of the period. Its charm lies in its accessible melody and its relatable, humorous sentiment.
