Lyrics (14th century Italian)

Translation



Io mi son giovinetta e volentieri

I am a young maiden, and I willingly



M'allegro e canto en la stagion novella,

Rejoice and sing in the new season,



Merz d'amore e de'dolci pensieri.

Thanks to love and to my sweet thoughts.



Io ve pe'verdi prati riguardando

I wander through green meadows gazing



I bianchi fiori e gialli e i vermigli,

At the white and yellow and vermilion flowers,



Le rose in su le spine e i bianchi gigli,

At the roses above their thorns and the white lilies,



E tutti quanti gli vo somiglando

And all of them I liken



Al viso di colui che me, amando,

To the face of him who, loving me,



Ha presa e terr sempre, come quella

Took me and forever will keep me as the one



Ch'altro non ha in disio ch'e suoi piaceri.

Who desires nothing but his pleasures.