Mort, tu as navré de ton dart
le père de joieuseté
En desployant ton estendart
sur Binchois, patron de bonté.
Rétoricque, se Dieu me gard,
son serviteur a regretté.
Musique par piteux regard
fait deul et noir a porté.
En sa jeunesse fut soudart
de honorable mondanité.
Puis a esleu la meilleure part,
servant Dieu en humilité.
Son corps est plaint et lamenté
Qui gist sous lame.
Hélas plaise vous en pitié
Prier pour l’âme !
Pleurez, hommes de feaulté,
Faites reclame,
Vueillez vostre université
Prier pour l’âme !
Tant lui soit en crestienté
Son nom est fame
Qui détient grant voulanté.
Prier pour l’âme !
Lower voices (Latin):
Miserere pie Jhesu Domine, dona ei requiem.
Quem in cruce redemisti precioso sanguine,
pie Jhesu Domine, dona ei requiem.
English translation
Death, you have wounded with your dart
the father of joy
in unfurling your standard
over Binchois, that paragon of goodness.
Rhetoric, God be my witness,
has lamented her servant.
Music, with a piteous expression,
mourns and has dressed herself in black.
In his youth he was a soldier
of honourable estate.
Then he chose the better part,
serving God with humility.
His body is mourned and lamented,
which lies beneath his tombstone.
Alas, may it please you, in mercy,
to pray for his soul.
Weep, whoever is of good will,
weep for your university,
pray for his soul.
He was such a Christian
that his name lives in fame
and Fame willingly attends him.
Pray for his soul!
Lower voices:
Have mercy, kind Lord Jesus, give him rest.
Kind Lord Jesus, give rest to him
whom you redeemed with your precious blood.