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They weep at my weeping
The wild beasts weep at my weeping
And the stones heave sighs at my fervent sighing;
The surrounding air mists over,
Moved to pity by my suffering.
Wherever I go, wherever I turn my steps,
I’m the cause of weeping and sighing.
Moved by my sorrow, everything seems to say:
Poor fellow, why are you here, so sad and alone?
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of Piangono al pianger mio
by Sigismondo d'India (1582-1629) from Le musiche da cantar solo, Milan 1609. The text is by Ottavio Rinuccini (1562-1621), poet and librettist for several early operas including the first opera, 'Dafne' by Jacopo Peri.
Piangono al pianger mio
Piangono al pianger mio le fere, e i sassi
A miei caldi sospir traggon sospiri.
L'aer' d'intorno nubiloso fassi,
Mosso anch' egli à pietà de miei martiri.
Ovunque io volgo, ovunque giro i passi
Par che di me si pianga, e si sospiri;
Par che dica ciascun, mosso al mio duolo,
Che fai tu qui, meschin, doglioso e solo?
Recording. Gloria Banditelli (mezzo soprano), Tiziano Bagnati (theorbo) and Massimo Lonardi (baroque guitar).
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u40URVEQXs8
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.
For more translations into English of early music texts, go to:
Translations of early music texts. |
