Douce Dame Jolie
"Douce Dame Jolie", sometimes referred to only as 'Douce Dame', is a song from the 14th century, by the French composer Guillaume de Machaut. The song is a virelai, belonging to the style ars nova, and is one of the most often heard medieval tunes today. Many modern recordings omit the lyrics, however.
One of the most famous musical pieces of the Middle Ages, 'Douce Dame' has been performed by a plethora of artists, mostly but not always in medieval style. Among others are Annwn, Ayragon, Theo Bleckmann, Els Berros de la Cort, Corvus Corax, Schelmish, Dr Cosgill, Fable of the Bees, Filia Irata, Två fisk och en fläsk, Wisby Vaganter, A La Via!, Lisa Lynne, The John Renbourn Group, WirrWahr, Wolfenmond, Saltatio Mortis, Angels of Venice and Legião Urbana
Lyrics
Original French
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Modern French translation
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Et ma maladie
Guérie
Jamais ne sera
Sans vous, douce ennemie,
Qui vous régalez
De mon tourment.
À mains jointes, je prie
Votre cœur, puisqu'il m'oublie,
Qu’il me tue, par pitié,
Car il a trop langui.
English translation
For always, without treachery,
Cherished one,
Have I you, and humbly,
Served
All the days of my life
Without base thoughts.
Alas, I am left begging
For hope of comfort,
And my joy will fade
If you do not take pity on me.
But your sweet mastery
Masters
My heart so harshly,
Tormenting it
And binding it
In unbearable love,
So that desires nothing
but to be in your company,
And still, your own heart
gives me no sign of hope.
And since my malady
Healed
Will never be
Without you, Sweet Enemy,
Who takes
Delight in my torment,
With clasped hands, I beseech
Your heart, that it forget me,
That it mercifully kill me,
For too long have I languished.