Au joli jeu by Clément Janequin
Sung here by the King’s Singers from their Madrigal History Tour special. They take it far faster than we do in the Arbor Consort.
Our translation is that it’s game of “in and out”, a young gentleman impressing his desire upon a young woman, kissing her as she wiggles around and tries to get away from him. And then there’s mention of “dancing without music.” Whatever that could be…
I think the lightness and liveliness of this performance reflect the lyrics well. It’s my personal opinion that this is just a touch too fast though, and this performance loses some of the nuances in the way line in each of the voice parts seem to tumble and chase after one another. Or it could just be that I’m so used to doing this slower that it feels rushed and unnatural to me. ^_~
The lyrics on CPDL differ slightly from what’s in the King’s Singers Book of 4 Part Madrigals. I’m more familiar with what’s provided in the King’s Singers book so that’s what I’ll retype here.
Au joli jeu du pousse avant
Il fait bonjouer
L’autrier m’aloier ébaloier
Je ren con trai la belle au corps gent,
Souriant, doucement, la voix baiser.
Elle en fait doute,
Mais je la boute,
Laissez, laissez, laisez, trut avant
laissez, laissez trut avant.
Au joil jeu du pousse avant
Il fait bonjouer.
Pour un refus me faut laiser,
Pro pos lui tiens amourseusement,
Souriant doucement, la voix baiser.
Elle riote,
Dance sans notte,
Laissez, laissez, laissez, trut avant
laissez, laissez trut avant.
Au joil jeu du pousse avant
Il fait bonjouer.
