Hellas ma dame

Nicolle des Celliers de Hesdin was a composer active in the early 16th century. Hellas ma dame is a secular chanson for SSAT voices, written in French. The text expresses the singer's plea to his lady after falling out of her favour. He asks what he has done to displease her, begging her to tell him so he can understand. In the meantime, he must be patient and wait for happier times, since she has closed her door to him. The music captures the poignant sincerity of this lament.