Pastourelles of the XV Century

This is one of a series of posts about books used as source material for Art Song Central.

Collection Title: Pastourelles of the XV Century
Collected by: Yvette Guilbert
Harmonized by: Maurice Eisner
Publisher: Oliver Ditson Company
Copyright: 1919

A complete version is available for download via Google Books: Pastourelles of the XV Century

Contents:

  • A qui dit-elle sa pensée?
  • Aimez-moi, ma mignonne
  • Les Amants honteux
  • L’amour de moi
  • Au delà de la rivière
  • C’était la plus belle des trois
  • Chapeau de sauge
  • En baisant ma mie
  • En venant de Lyon
  • Et comment l’entendez-vous?
  • Gaudinette
  • Ile est venu le petit oisillor
  • Ils sont bien pelées
  • Laissez jouer jeunes gens
  • Lourdant
  • Ma chère Dame que je désire tant
  • Réconfortez le petit coeur de moi
  • Si je suis trouvée
  • Sous une aubépine
  • Vrai dieu d’amour, confortez-moi

Preface:

To My American Friends

In presenting to you the beautiful old songs of France, my aim is not so much to initiate you into thoughts of a different race, as to lead you to appreciate and enjoy their real source and origin, and to demonstrate to you the richness and variety of that admirable poetry of the old Gallic nation.

As one who, for the last twenty years, has been the apostle of the popular literature of a past unrivaled in its beauty, whether martial or religious, joyous or sentimental, I have
come to your country of America to sow the living germs of a culture, which, when better known and popularized through song, will stimulate and encourage the growth and blossoming of a culture that will be nationally American. The hour has come for France to forge the golden link of Art in the chain of sympathies which unites the two countries.

My own part is that of the ancient troubadour or minstrel, who wandered from one land to another, instilling into other nations the love and respecl for his own, by celebrating in song its manifold beauties.

France is but one joyous song! Her heart is but one ode! Her soul is but one hymn! Her laugh is but a flower! Her poetry a kiss! Her wealth is her courage, her strength is her loyalty!

It is in the songs of France that the entire national history is to be found; the history of her soil, her heroism, her brain, her heart — the apotheosis, in short, of a race that exhibits a reserve of serene and courteous strength; who can crown life with roses or bow to death with equal grace.

[signed] Yvette Guilbert

Notes:
While these settings of 15th century french medieval song are far from authentic presentations, they comprise a rare attempt to offer arrangements for the standard piano-voice combination. I’d be interested to hear people’s reactions to these!