O s'io potessi donna (Jacquet de Berchem)

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  • (Posted 2018-08-20)  CPDL #50922:         
Editor: Walker Boyle (submitted 2018-08-20).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages   Copyright: Public Domain
Edition notes:

General Information

Title: O s'io potessi donna
Composer: Jacquet de Berchem
Lyricist:

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1539 in Il primo libro de' madrigali a 4 voci (Jacques Arcadelt), no. 1.20
    2nd published: 1564 in Septiesme livre des chansons à quatre parties (Pierre Phalèse), Edition 3
    3rd published: 1584 in Pratum musicum (ed. Emanuel Adriaenssen) – arr. for two voices and lute, Edition 1, no. 13
Description: 

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian.png Italian text

O s'io potessi donna
Dir quel che nel mirai voi prov'e
Sento invidioso farei chiunch'e contento
Splende nel vostro viso'un vivo sole
E da begl'occhi piove
Foco d'amor che m'ard'e strugge'l core
E da gl'accesi labri un fiato move
Di si grate parole che piu l'accende
E fa dolce l'ardore
O che felice'amore
Via piu d'ogn'altro'il mio di foco'e vento
Beato viv'a rimirar v'intento.

English.png English text

Oh, if only I could, my lady,
Tell what I feel and prove when I gaze upon you,
I would make envious whoever is content.
A living sun shines in your face,
And from your beautiful eyes, it rains
A fire of love that burns and consumes my heart,
And from your enflamed lips, a breath moves
Of such sweet words that it fuels the fire,
And makes the burning sweet.
Oh, what a happy love,
Far more than any other, mine is of fire and wind,
Blessed to live, I intend to gaze upon you.