For the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music
Avec le jour commence tA voyAge
(With the Day Begins Your Journey)
By Matthew A. Armstrong
Edited by Shelly Armstrong
Avec le jour commence ta voyage is a new musical setting of an ancient text by Orlando di Lasso (15321594). Slight modifications have been made to modernize old spelling. A prolific composer known for versatility in musical styles, Lasso was one of the most important composers of the Renaissance along with Byrd, Palestrina, and Victoria. This setting of Lasso’s text was created to be an accessible work allowing singers to experience the language of a chanson (French song) as well as elements of the old style of 16th century counterpoint common in motets and madrigals of the time. The text inspires rising with the sun and beginning a daily voyage while singing praise to God, finishing work, and enjoying the journey as the year passes.
FRENCH
Avec le jour commence ta voyage De l'Eternel le sainct nom bénissant Le soir aussi ton labeur finissant Louë le encor' et passe ainsi l'année.
IPA
Avec le jour commence ta voyage [avɛk lə ʒur kɔmɑsə ta vwajaʒə]
De l'Eternel le sainct nom bénissant [də l ‿ etɛʁnɛl lə sɑk nɔ bənizɑ]
WORD FOR WORD
avec = [avɛk] with le = [lə] the jour = [ʒur] day commence = [kɔmɑsə] begins ta = /ta/ your voyage = /vwajaʒə/ journey
De = [də] from l'Eternelle = [l‿ etɛrnɛl] the Lord saint = [sɛ] holy nom = [nɔ] name bénissant = [benisɑ] blessing
ENGLISH
Rise with the sun and so begin your journey, Blessing, as you do, God's holy name; In the evening your work finishing; Praise again and pass the year
Le soir aussi ton labeur finissant [lə swaʁ o si tɔ labœʁ finisɑ]
Louë le encor' et passe ainsi l'année. [lu lɛ kɔʁ e pas ɛ si lɑ]
Le = [lə] the Soir = [swar] evening Aussi = [o.si] also Ton = [tɔ] your Labeur = [labœr] work Finissant = [finisɑ] ending
Louë = [luE] praise (old form of “loue”) le = [lə] the encor' = [ɑkɔr] again (variant of encore) et = [e] and passe = [pas] pass ainsi = [ɛsi] thus l'an = [lɑ]