Anonymous (c.1270) - Bryd one brere

Ensemble La Reverdie
from CD
Bestiarium: Animals in the Music of the Middle Ages


Bird On a Briar
[Camb. King's Coll. MS Muniment Roll 2 W. 32r]

Bryd one brere, brid, brid one brere,
Kynd is come of love, love to crave
Blythful biryd, on me thu rewe
Or greyth, lef, greith thu me my grave.

Hic am so blithe, so bryhit, brid on brere,
Quan I se that hende in halle:
Yhe is whit of lime, loveli, trewe
Yhe is fayr and flur of alle.

Mikte ic hire at wille haven,
Stedefast of love, loveli, trewe,
Of mi sorwe yhe may me saven
Ioye and blisse were were me newe.


Transl.

Bird on a briar, bird, bird on a briar,
(Man)kind is come of love, love thus craves.
Blissful bird, have pity on me,
Or dig, love, dig thou for me my grave.

I am so blithe, so bright, bird on briar,
When I see that handmaid in the hall:
She is white of limb, lovely, true,
She is fair and flower of all.

Might I her at my will have,
Steadfast of love, lovely, true,
From my sorrow she may me save
Joy and bliss would wear me new (i.e., me renew).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ensemble
• La
• Reverdie
• Bryd
• one
• brere

[clamantuanguyan]

did it really sound like this 700 years ago?

[theprof1958]

@clamantuanguyan

Yes, it does! Trust me...

:-)

[omgtkseth]

@theprof1958 Doesnt the Reverdie cds include information about, say, the culture, place of origin, and use of the songs you upload? The pictures can give an idea, but...

[theprof1958]

@omgtkseth

Yes, I have added text and modern English version

(see more info section)

The picture has little to do with the text :-)

[omgtkseth]

@theprof1958 Thanks a lot, Mr Raffaele. You seem to be very attentive to your listeners. I'll be glad to remain attentive to your music.

[MediaFilter]

@latijapo12 Also I think he/she is offering the other cat a lobster...

[MediaFilter]

@latijapo12 As you can see, they're chilling (hence the fan).

[latijapo12]

A mummy of cat?