Il fait bon aimer l'oiselet (Antoine de Févin)

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• (Posted 2003-10-06)  CPDL #05618:      (MuP)

Editor: Vincent Carpentier (submitted 2003-10-06).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 232 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Il fait bon aimer l'oiselet
Composer: Antoine de Févin

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: ATB
Genre: Secular, Chanson

Language: French
Instruments: A cappella

First published:
Description: Alfred Delvau's Dictionnaire érotique moderne (1864) indicates that rossignol ("nightingale") was sometimes used in Renaissance poetry as a metaphor for the male sexual organ. That is clearly the intent in this chanson.

External websites:

• Performances

• Live performance of this work by the dwsChorale

Original text and translations

French text Il fait bon aimer l’oiselet Qui chante par nature Ce mois de mai comment qu’il soit Tant comme la nuit dure. Il fait bon écouter son chant Plus que nul autre en bonne foi Car il réjouit maint amant, Je le sais bien quand est à moi. Il s’appelle rossignolet Qui met toute sa cure À chanter de son chant parfait, Aussi, c’est sa nature.

English translation We all should love the little bird Whose song is so steadfast This month of May it can be heard As long as night may last. It’s good to hearken to its call More than any ‘pon my word It gives joy to one and all, Or so from mine can be inferred. It’s called a nightingale I’ve heard And you know it’s unsurpassed At singing perfectly when stirred, That’s its job, since days long past. Translation by Thomas Daughton