trobaire.org

a collection of literature from poets, bards, songwriters, and skalds in the SCA

Chascun moment que sui absent

olivier's picture
olivier
Poem (Canso): 

Chascun moment que sui absent
Je t’avo et je cuid sol d’ou:
Ne je voil que tu m’embrasser
A douce deduit de tu baiser.
Me rappelet, même briement,
Un jour retournerai a tu.
Ne je voil que tu m’embrasser
A douce deduit de tu baiser.

Translation: 

Each moment I am away
I adore you and think only this:
I wish that you could embrace me
With the sweet favor of your kiss.
Remember me, however brief,
For one day I’ll return to you.
I wish that you could embrace me
With the sweet favor of your kiss.

Documentation / Explanation (Razo): 

This piece is the second in a series of poems dedicated to my good friend (and patroness) Maitresse Aenor d'Anjou. When I entered into her service (and the service of her lord and husband, Master Efenwealt Wystle), one of our agreements was that I would compose poems in her honor. What is more medieval, I thought (and still think!) then to write love poems to a married noblewoman? As a result, I have been trying to write at least one poem a month for her. I have also attempted to make these poems work as songs by coupling the lyrics with existing tunes (technically called contrafacta). See my list of poems for the other chansons in this series.

This particular poem can be sung to the tune of Bernart de Ventadorn's "Can vei la lauzeta mover."

I did not base the poem's structure on any particular existing piece, but it seemed like a feasible enough scheme: ABCC.A.B.CC. I want to say it's like a bastardized bar style, but that's not really accurate. I may come across a similar-looking extant piece if I look hard enough. If not, oh well - I'm pretty proud of this one.