Je suis quasi prest (Jean de Castro)
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- Editor: André Vierendeels (submitted 2018-10-26). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 62 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Je suis quasi prest
Composer: Jean de Castro
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: SAT
Genre: Secular, Chanson
Language: French
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1569 in Il primo libro di madrigali, canzoni & motetti a tre voci, no. 19
2nd published: 1574 in La Fleur des chansons a 3 (Pierre Phalèse), no. 26
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
French text
Je suis quasiment prêt d'enrager
de me voir ainsi sans argent.
Il m'est bien force
d'engager ma robe
et je n'en ai qu'une.
Je maudit mille fois Fortune.
O, benedicite Maria!
Car vivre en telle rancune
j'épouserai bien le diable.
English translation
by Mick Swithinbank
I could be consumed by fury when I consider my penniless state.
There’s nothing for it but to pawn my dress – and I have but one.
A thousand times I curse my luck: Mary, have mercy!
To find myself living in such misery, I must have married the devil.