Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: E is for Juan del Enzina

This is day 5 of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge in which I attempt to blog every day (excepting Sundays) throughout the month of April. For this challenge, I am curating a collection of “classical” music pieces, which are lesser known or by lesser known composers (to me at least).Today’s composer is Juan del Enzina (Born: July 12, 1468, Salamanca, Spain Died: 1529, Toledo, Spain).

“Pedro, bien te quiero”

“Pedro, bien te quiero” is a dialogue between a Lady and a herdsman warrior who is in love with her.

Here are the words and a translation:

-Pedro, bien te quiero, maguera vaquero. -Has tan bien baylado, corrido y luchado, que m’ has namorado, y de amores muero. -Alafé, nuestr’ama, ya suena mi fama, y aún pues, en la cama soy muy más artero. -No sé qué te diga. Tu amor me fatiga; tenme por amiga, sé mi compañero. -Soy en todo presto, mañoso y dispuesto, y en ver vuestro gesto mucho más me esmero. -Quiero que me quieras, pues por mí te esmeras. Tengamos de veras amor verdadero. -Nuestr’ama señora, yo nací en buen ora. Ya soy desde agora vuestro por entero.

Pedro, well I love you, Although you are a herdsman. You have danced, Raced, and battled so well That I have fallen in love, And die from it. By my faith, madam, Already my fame resounds, And I am even More artful in bed. I don’t know what to say to you, Your love tires me; Have me for you friend, Be my companion, I am in everything quick, Skillful, and willing, And in seeing your face, I am even more inspired, I want you to love me, And since you are fighting for me, We must have true love, Madam, lady, I was born at a good hour; I am from now on Entirely yours.

The composer’s Wikipedia page Juan del Enzina