Orchestra piece in semi-medieval style
edward gold music
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Story behind the song
first movement of 3-part "Symphonies on Ancient Tunes. But the second written.
The Variations open with a quotation of the "Westron Wynde" tune that is the basis for the last movement and it includes an imitation of the wind blowing in the glissando strings. (I've now replaced it in this file only, with a sample of real wind sounds.) But this introduction gives way to the l'Homme Armé tune proper in an imitative style.
The theme is finally presented complete in triple meter in a military style with percussion. A pair of free variations leads to a slower one and its "double". A "gigue" (jig) and "sicilienne" follow and then a brief fugal section later interrupted with the parallel fifths of a medieval "conductus".
After that, the opening introduction is heard leading into a finale based on earlier elements.
Lyrics
Text of original melody:
L'homme, l'homme, l'homme armé, l'homme armé,
L'homme armé doibt on doubter.
On a fait par tout crier,
Que chascun se viegne armer, d'un haubregon de fer.
L'homme, l'homme, l'homme armé, l'homme armé,
L'homme armé doibt on doubter.
And it may be translated as:
The man, the man, the armed man,
one must beware the armed man.
the word is that everyone
must arm himself with a hauberk (iron chain-mail vest).
The man, the man, the armed man,
one must beware the armed man.