Passer mai solitario (Philippe Verdelot)

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  • (Posted 2021-04-21)  CPDL #64169:         
Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2021-04-21).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 115 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Transcribed from 1556 Gardano edition. Original key and note values.

General Information

Title: Passer mai solitario
Composer: Philippe Verdelot
Lyricist: Francesco Petrarca
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1540 in Tutti li madrigali del primo et secondo libro a quatro voci, Edition 1, no. 49
Description: 

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian.png Italian text

Passer mai solitario in alcun tetto
non fu quant’io, né fera in alcun bosco,
Ch’i’ non veggio ‘l bel viso, et non conosco
Altro sol, né quest’occhi ànn’altro obiecto.

Lagrimar sempre è ‘l mio sommo diletto,
il rider doglia, il cibo assentio et tòsco,
la notte affanno, e ‘l ciel seren m’è fosco,
et duro campo di battaglia il letto.

Il sonno è veramente, qual uom dice,
parente de la morte, e ‘l cor sottragge
a quel dolce penser che ‘n vita il tene.

Solo al mondo paese almo, felice,
verdi rive fiorite, ombrose piagge,
voi possedete, et io piango, il mio bene.

English.png English translation

No sparrow on a roof, or beast in a wood
was ever as lonely, since I cannot see
her lovely face, and recognise no other sun,
nor do my eyes seek any other object.

The height of my delight is always to weep,
laughter is grief, wormwood and gall my food,
my nights troubled, the clear sky dark for me,
and my bed a harsh battlefield.

Sleep, as men say, is truly allied to death,
and the heart derives from it sweet thought
that keeps it still alive.

In all the world only you happy, kindly land,
green flowering river-banks, cool shadows,
possess the good I weep for.