Vergine quante lagrime (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)

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(Posted 2022-07-16) CPDL #70032:

• Original key (high chiavette):

• Transposed down a minor third:

• Transposed down a fourth:

- Alto in octave transposed violin clef.

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2022-07-16). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 119 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from 1581 print. Original note values. Italian spelling modernised.

General Information

Title: Vergine quante lagrime
Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Sacred, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1581 in Il primo libro de madrigali a 5 voci, no. 7
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Vergine, quante lagrime ho già sparte,
quante lusinghe et quanti preghi indarno,
pur per mia pena et per mio grave danno!
Da poi ch'i' nacqui in su la riva d'Arno,
cercando or questa et or quel'altra parte,
non è stata mia vita altro ch'affanno.
Mortal bellezza, atti et parole m'hanno
tutta ingombrata l'alma.
Vergine sacra et alma,
non tardar, ch'i' son forse a l'ultimo anno.
I dí miei piú correnti che saetta
fra miserie et peccati
son sen' andati, et sol Morte n'aspetta.

English translation

Virgin, what tears I have already scattered,
what pleadings and what prayers in vain,
solely for my pain and my grave hurt!
From the time I was born on the banks of the Arno,
searching in this place or in that,
my life has been nothing but trouble.
Mortal beauty, actions and speech
have all hampered my soul.
Sacred, kindly Virgin,
do not delay, since perhaps this is my last year.
And my days have flown, swifter
than an arrow
in misery and sin, and I only wait for Death.