Kalenda maia by early medieval composer Raimbaut de Vaqueiras (C12 French, fl c1155-1205).
Performed by Lumina Vocal Ensemble & Lyrebyrd Consort, musical director Anna Pope.
Singers: Anna Pope, Rosemary Byron-Scott and Evan Sanders
Players: Rebecca Witt (rebec) & James Cowling (bass viol)

Recorded live in concert:
'A Mediæval Celebration' at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2011
by Rosemary Beal, 5MBS in the Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide

Images by Eleanor Pope and Dover Publications
Film by Anna Pope

luminavocal.com.au

Text:
1 Kalenda maia ni fueills de faia
Ni chans d'auzell ni flors de glaia
Non es qe.m plaia, pros dona gaia,
Tro q'un isnell messagier aia Del vostre bell cors, qi.m retraia
Plazer novell q'amors m'atraia
E jaia, E.m traia vas vos, donna veraia,
E chaia de plaia'l gelos, anz que'm n'estraia.

2 Ma bell' amia, Per Dieu non sia
Qe ja.l gelos de mon dan ria,
Qe car vendria Sa gelozia,
Si aitals dos amantz partia;
Q'ieu ja joios mais non seria,
Ni jois ses vos pro no.m tenria;
Tal via Faria Q'oms ja mais no.m veiria;
Cell dia Morria, Donna pros, q'ie.us perdria.

6 Donna grazida, Qecs lauz' e crida Vostra valor q'es abellida,
E qi.us oblida, Pauc li val vida,
Per q'ie.us azor, donn' eissernida;
Qar per gencor vos ai chauzida
E per meilhor, de prez complida,
Blandida, Servida Genses q'Erecs Enida.
Bastida, Finida, N'Engles, ai l'estampida.

English translation:
1 It's the first of May, but neither beeches in leaf
Nor birdsong nor lily flowers
Will cheer me up, noble and vivacious lady,
Until I see a swift messenger from your fair self
Bringing me new pleasure from joy of love,
Drawing me to you, fair lady.
Any one who is jealous will pay for it before I go.

2 My good love, may God prevent
Any jealous soul from mocking me.
There will be a high price to pay for jealousy
If it should part two lovers.
For I never will be happy,
Never joyful, if you do not stay with me:
I will take to the road, never to be seen again.
That day I would die, if I should lose you.

6 Gracious lady, everyone praises and proclaims your worth,
which gives such pleasure; and he who forgets you,
prizes life but a trifle and so I adore you, distinguished lady;
since I have chosen you as the kindest and as the best,
laden with worth,
I have flattered and served you more kindly than Eric did Enid.
Composed, and ended, Dame Engles, I have the estampida.

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