Variations for wind quartet on "Hélas, Madame" attributed to Henry VIII by David Warin Solomons Woodwind Quartet - Digital Sheet Music

"Hélas madame" is attributed to King Henry VIII. It is part of a secular collection, found on a manuscript that was used in Henry's court. The originality of the song has been questioned, with various parts of the song allegedly taken from similar pieces in Europe. The song itself is a courtship conversation in Middle French between a man and woman. The pdf file contains score and parts. The sound sample is an electronic preview. Hélas madame, celle que j’ayme tant: Souffrez que soye vostre humble servant; Vostre humble servant je serays a toujours Et tant que je viv’ray aultr’ n’aymeray que vous. Hélas, beau sire, vous estez bel et bon, Sage et courtoys et de noble maison, Et aussi bon que l’on scairoit finer, Mais cil que j’ayme, ne scairoye oublier. Hellas, ma dame, pences en vostre cas: Entre nous deulx ne fault point d’avocatz. Certes non pas, et vous le scavez bien. Allez vous en, car vous ne faictez rien. Mon cueur souspire et se plaint tendrement, Quant il ne peult trouver allegement. Ne scay comment on me veult dechasser; S’il est ainsi, j’ayray ailleurs chasser. Hellas, ma dame, et n’en seray-je point? Certes beau sire, je ne le vous dis point. Servez a point: il vous sera mery. Hellas, ma dame, de bon cueur vous mercy. Alas my lady, whom I do so love: Suffer me to be your humble servant; Your humble servant I shall always be. And while I live, I'll love none else but you. Alas, fair sir, you are good and kind, Wise and courteous and from a noble house, And as good as one could find, But I can't forget the one I love. Alas my lady, think upon your case: Between us two, no need for advocate. Certainly not, and you know it well. Be gone, for you are doing nothing. My heart sighs and tenderly complains, When it cannot find relief. I know not how it wants me to woo; If it is so, I'll go wooing elsewhere. Alas my lady, and shall I not? Certainly, fair sir, I have not said so. Behave rightly and you will be rewarded. Alas my lady, from my whole heart, thank you.