This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Donna, se ben le chiome
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Donna, se ben le chiome by Philippe de Monte — Lyrics
Donna, se ben le chiome ho già ripiene
d'algente neve, il cor però non verna,
sasselo Amor, che tacito il governa,
e in lui conserva del suo amor mantiene.
Etna così sul dorso alto sostiene
le brine e 'l gelo e dentro ha fiamma eterna;
selce così gelata è ne l'esterna
Read full lyrics
About Donna, se ben le chiome
Philippe de Monte was a prolific composer of the late Renaissance, master of the madrigal. In this secular Italian work for SSATB, he sets a poem exploring the paradox of aging and enduring passion. The poet compares himself to Mount Etna, outwardly cold and snow-capped but with an eternal flame within. He explains that while his own white hair might suggest a cooling of ardor, his heart still burns with love. He laments that his beloved's 'bright eyes' could rekindle his fire, but fears her potential 'pity or disdain' for his aged desire.
