Je prens en gré

This lively chanson from Tielman Susato opens with a sprightly rhythm and a clear, homophonic texture, soon developing into imitative passages that showcase the interplay between the three voices. The composer, a prominent figure in sixteenth-century Franco-Flemish music, presents a secular French text here. The lyrics speak of a lover's willingness to embrace even death for the sake of his beloved, lamenting her cruelty and his impending demise. The music effectively captures the text's blend of resigned sorrow and passionate devotion, making it an engaging work for a small vocal ensemble.