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You were once all mine
You were once all mine,
Mine in heart and soul.
Who turns you from me,
The lure of a new love?
O beauty and virtue,
O admirable fidelity,
Where are you now?
You were once all mine,
But not anymore,
Alas, you're mine no more.
For me alone sparkled
Your beautiful eyes,
For me golden hair
Unfurled in the wind.
O fleeting happiness,
O firmness of heart,
Where are you now?
You were once all mine,
But not anymore,
Alas, you're mine no more.
My joyful face, alas,
You’ll see no more.
My songs, my laughter,
Like martyrs die.
O scattered sighs,
O vanished pity,
Where are you now?
You were once all mine,
But not anymore,
Alas, you're mine no more.
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of Eri già tutta mia by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) from Scherzi musicali cioè arie et madrigali no. 3 (1632).
Eri già tutta mia
Eri già tutta mia,
Mia quel' alma e quel core,
Chi da me ti desvia:
Novo laccio d'amore?
O bellezz' o valore,
O mirabil constanza,
Ove sei tu?
Eri già tutta mia;
Hor non sei più.
Ah, che mia non sei più.
Sol per me gl'occhi belli
Rivolgevi ridenti,
Per me d'oro i capelli
Si spiegavan a i venti.
O fugaci contenti,
O fermezza d'un core,
Ove sei tu?
Eri già tutta mia;
Hor non sei più.
Ah, che mia non sei più.
Il gioir nel mio viso:
Ah che più non rimiri.
Il mio canto, il mio riso
È converso in martiri.
O dispersi sospiri,
O sparita pietate,
Ove sei tu?
Eri già tutta mia;
Hor non sei più.
Ah, che mia non sei più.
Copyright notice. The translation is provided as an aid to musicians and audiences. Publication of the translation in print or digital formats is expressly forbidden unless permission from the author has been first obtained and acknowledgement of authorship is duly made. Permission will usually be granted so please contact Paul Archer with details of how you wish to make use of the translation.
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