ALTAS ONDAS QUE VENEZ SUZ
LA MAR ...		HIGH WAVES THAT COME FROM ACROSS
THE SEA ...
Raimbaut de Vaqueirastrans. James H. Donalson (from Provençal)
Altas ondas que venez suz la mar,
que fai lo vent çai e lai demenar,
de mon amic savez novas comtar,
qui lai passet? no lo vei retornar.
Et oi, Deu d'amor!
ad hora·m dona joi et ad hora dolor.

Oi, aura dolza, qui venes deves lai
on mon amic dorm e sejorn' e jai,
del dolz alein un beure m'aportai.
La bocha obre, per gran desir qu'en ai.
Et oi, Deu d'amor!
ad hora·m dona joi et ad hora dolor.

Mal amar fai vassal d'estran païs,
car en plor tornan e sos jocs e sos ris.
Ja non cudei mon amic me tenis
qu'eu li donei ço que d'amor me quis.
Et oi, Deu d'amor!
ad hora·m dona joi et ad hora dolor.
 High waves that come from across the sea,
made here and there by the wind and breeze,
do you have news of my friend for me?
I don't see him coming back to me.
Love God, don't annoy!
Sometimes you give me sorrow: now give me some joy.

Sweet breeze, ah, out there where you arise
my friend now lives, and he plays and lies;
bring me a breath of him to inspire:
my mouth's agape, such is my desire.
Love God, don't annoy!
Sometimes you give me sorrow: now give me some joy.

Loose love has made alien slaves, I fear,
his games and laughter stir up a tear:
I didn't think he'd demand of me
to give the love that he asked of me.
Love God, don't annoy!
Sometimes you give me sorrow: now give me some joy.
Trans. Copyright © James H. Donalson 2003 







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