Lyrics (14th century Italian)
Translation
Io mi son giovinetta e volentieri
I am a young maiden, and I willingly
M'allegro e canto en la stagion novella,
Rejoice and sing in the new season,
Merz d'amore e de'dolci pensieri.
Thanks to love and to my sweet thoughts.
Io ve pe'verdi prati riguardando
I wander through green meadows gazing
I bianchi fiori e gialli e i vermigli,
At the white and yellow and vermilion flowers,
Le rose in su le spine e i bianchi gigli,
At the roses above their thorns and the white lilies,
E tutti quanti gli vo somiglando
And all of them I liken
Al viso di colui che me, amando,
To the face of him who, loving me,
Ha presa e terr sempre, come quella
Took me and forever will keep me as the one
Ch'altro non ha in disio ch'e suoi piaceri.
Who desires nothing but his pleasures.