En venant de Lyon

This chanson opens with a lively and imitative texture, as the voices of this SATB setting enter in quick succession, echoing each other. The French text, a secular poem, describes a chance encounter between Robin and Marion in a thicket near Lyon. The playful lyrics hint at a clandestine meeting, with Robin lifting Marion's fur-lined petticoat. The music captures the lighthearted and slightly mischievous spirit of the scene, with clear melodic lines and a generally transparent vocal texture that makes the text readily understandable. Jean Mouton’s skill in setting French chansons is evident in this engaging and charming work.