DESCRIPTION:
Garrit gallus by influential medieval composer Philippe de Vitry (1291-1361)
This is political satire using animals to refer to people.
Lumina Vocal Ensemble, Musical Director Anna Pope
Live Performance at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2014
'A Medieval Adventure'.

Sheet music available in 'A Medieval Songbook 7, Medium-Hard pieces for TTB' at https://www.luminavocal.com.au/songbooks

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Singers:
Tim Muecke, Nick Coxhill, Toby Gilbert, Clive Conway, Andrew McCauley & Kenneth Pope

Live Recording by Kenneth Pope
Barr Smith Library Reading Room, Adelaide University
Lumina photos by Photografeo
Film by Anna Pope

Text:
In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas: Draco nequam, quem olim penitus mirabili crucis potencia debellavit Michael inclitus, mox Absalon munitus gracia, mox Ulixis gaudens facundia, mox lupinis dentibus armatus subtersitis miles milicia, rursus vivit in vulepm mutatus; cauda cuius lumine privatus leo vulpe imperante paret; oves suggit pullis saciatus, heu suggere non cessat et aret ad nupcias canibus non caret; ve pullis mox, ve ceco leoni, coram Christe tandem ve draconi.

Garrit gallus flendo dolorose, luget quippe gallorum concio, quod satrape traditur dolose ex cubino sedens officio et quod vulpes, quamquam vispilio in belial vigens astucia de leonis consensu proprio, monarchisat, atat angaria; rursus ecce Jacob familia pharaone altero fugatur, non ut olim inde vestigia subintrarepotens lacrimatur, in deserto fame flagellatur, adjutoris carens armatura quamquam clamet, tantum spoliatus continuo forsan moritura; o miserum exulum vox dura, o gallorum garritus doloris, cum leonis cecitas obscura fraudi paret vulpis proditoris, eius fastus sustinens erroris insurgito aloias, labitur et labetur, quod habes honoris, quod mox in facinis tardis ultoribus itur.

English translation by Bernard Mageean:
In new events the mind can discern old forms transformed. The dragon of hell, whom once the glorious Michael comprehensively crushed by the power of the wondrous cross, has appeared again variously: as Absalon, protected by indulgence, as Ulysses, exulting in plunder, as any soldier, armed to the teeth like a wolf, and now in our day he lives in the guise of a fox. And it seems that when the fox is in charge he drags the unseeing lion behind him like a tail. When stuffed with chickens, he plies himself with lambs. Alas, there is no stopping his supplies, or his thirst. For the feast to come there is no lack of meat: either all the chickens or the blind lion will go. Only in the presence of Christ's judgement will it be the end for the dragon.
The cock-crow cries in mournful lament. Truly, it bemoans its knowledge of the common fate threatening all its kind. From its proper place of occupation it will be taken by a scheming lordling, and this fox, though a thief in the night, thriving on cunning and deceit, has been given a ruler's power by special agreement of the lion himself. Ah, the horror! It is as if again the family of Jacob is set to flight by a second Pharao, but, not able as before to follow the tracks and signs, it weeps, and is stricken in the wilderness by the scourge of hunger. Lacking reinforcements from any ally, however much it might beseech, and with nothing left, it may soon perish there. O despairing cry of exiles! O harsh screech from the great sorrow of the rooster! Since the utter blindness of the lion yields to the dark stratagem of the deceitful fox, feeding his pride, you must rise up against this mixture of error and deceit! What you have left of honour is going and will soon vanish, drowned in wickedness, gone to await later avengers.
(note: 'gallus' means 'rooster' 'cock' 'hen', but also 'french', as in Gaul: maybe a political subtext)
Translation by Bernard Mageean