Robin, couché à même terre (Pierre Certon)

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(Posted 2024-05-22) CPDL #80752:

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2024-05-22). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 609 kB Copyright: CC BY

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. This edition is offered at original pitch for SATB or transposed down a fourth for ATTB. Modernized French text.

General Information

Title: Robin, couché à même terre
Composer: Pierre Certon
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicings: SATB or ATTB
Genre: Secular, Chanson

Language: French
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1550 in Livre 35: 24 chansons a 4 (Pierre Attaingnant), no. 12
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

French text

Robin couche a mesme terre
Dessus lherbette prez samye
Ie crainctz disoit il le chaterre
A elle le soleil ennuye
Mais sotte ne si montra mye
Luy disant en face riante
Mectz toy sur moy ie suis contente
De te servir pour materas
Et tu seras au lieu de tente
Car umbre au soleil me feras.

French text

(modernized)
Robin, couché à même terre,
Dessus l'herbette près s'amie:
"Je crains", disait-il le chaterre,
"A elle le soleil ennuié";
Mais sotte ne si montr' amie,
Lui disant en face riante:
"Mets-toi sur moi; je suis contente
De te servir pour matelas,
Et tu seras au lieu de tente,
Car ombre au soleil me feras".

English translation

So Robin's lain on the very same sod
On the lawn next to his g.f.
"I worry", says he, the clod,
"That the sun has bothered her".
But his g.f. shews herself not so crass,
Saying to him, laughing,
"Put yourself on top of me; I'm happy
For you to use me as a mattress;
You'll be a tent substitute, 'cause
You'll make a shade from the sun".

(trans. Timmi O'Danaos & Donna Ferrentes)