Douce Dame Jolie

Douce Dame Jolie, sometimes referred to only as 'Douce dame', is a song from the 14th century, by the french trobadour Guillaume de Machaut. The song is a virelai, belonging to the style ars nova, and are one of the most often heard medieval tunes today. Most modern recordings omitts the lyrics, however:

Douce dame jolie,

Pour dieu ne pensés mie

Que nulle ait signorie

Seur moy fors vous seulement.

Qu'adès sans tricherie

Chierie

Vous ay et humblement

Tous les jours de ma vie

Servie

Sans villain pensement.

Helas! et je mendie

D'esperance et d'aïe;

Dont ma joie est fenie,

Se pité ne vous en prent.

Douce dame jolie...

Mais vo douce maistrie maistrie

mon cuer si durement

qu'elle le contralie et lie

en amours, tellement.

Qu'il n'a de riens envie

fors d'estre en vo baillie;

et se ne li ottrie

vos cuers nul aligement.

Douce dame jolie...

English translation:

Sweet, lovely lady for god's sake do not think that I am devoted to any woman but you alone.

For always, without falsehood I have cherished you, and humbly served you all the days of my life without deception.

Alas, I am left begging for hope and relief; for my joy is at its end without your compassion.

Your sweet spell rules my heart so harshly, tormenting and binding it in unbearable love.

[My heart] desires nothing but to be in your power. And still, your own heart renders it no relief.

One of the most famous musical pieces of the middle ages, 'Douce Dame' has been performed by a plethora of artist, mostly but not always in medieval style. Among others are Ayragon (with lyrics), Corvus Corax, Filia Irata, Två fisk och en fläsk (with lyrics), Wisby Vaganter, A La Via! (with lyrics), Blackmore's Night, Lisa Lynne, John Renbourn Group (with english lyrics) and Wolfenmond.