Reis Glorios (“Glorious King”) is a troubadour song written by Giraut de Bornelh in the 13th century. Belonging to the sub-genre “alba” or “dawn,” this song tells of a knight who anxiously awaits his friend’s return, suspecting but not knowing that the friend in question has spent the night with a married lady. We have paired it with another song from the 13th century, this one written by an anonymous monk or scholar and part of the Carmina Burana. The lyrics of Procurans Odium contrast with the wistfulness of Reis Glorios, saying that those who hate have their hatred turned back upon them and that lovers harvest grapes from the thorns of their enemies. We have chosen to perform this as an instrumental.
Below are the langue d'oc lyrics of Reis Glorios, followed by a translation.
Reis glorios, verais lums e clartatz,
Deus poderos, Senher, si a vos platz,
al meu companh sïatz fizels ajuda,
qu'eu non lo vi pos la nochs fo venguda,
e ades sera l'alba.
Bel companho, si dormetz o veillatz?
Non dormatz plus, suau vos ressidatz,
qu'en orïent vei l'estela creguda
qu'amenal jorn, qu'eu l'ai ben coneguda,
e ades sera l'alba.
Bel companho, en chantan vos apel:
non dormatz plus, qu'eu aug chantar l'auzel
que vai queren lo jorn per lo boscatge,
et ai paor quel gilos vos assatge,
e ades sera l'alba.
~
Glorious king, true and shining light,
Mighty God, lord, if it please you
To my companion be a good help
For I have not seen him since it grew dark
And soon it will be dawn.
Fair friend, are you awake or asleep?
Do not sleep any longer, for from where you are
You can see in the east the star shining
Which fades at daybreak, this you must know
And soon it will be dawn.
Fair friend, in singing I call to you
Sleep no longer for I hear the bird sing
Who goes seeking through the wood in the daytime
And I fear the jealous one will attack you
And soon it will be dawn.
Bill: soprano recorder, German small pipes
Gwen: harp
Amy: shaker, zils, dumbek
Penny: cittern
Lael: voice, soprano recorder
Based in Victoria, BC, Banquo Folk Ensemble is a quintet of singers and multi-instrumentalists who share a passion for both
Early and Folk music and a willingness to meddle with tradition. Banquo’s musical bag of tricks includes bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, recorders, cittern, vielle, harp, mandolin, surpeti, percussion and more! www.banquo.ca...more
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