Mère Dieu aies merci: Devout songs of Gautier de Coincy

“From now on, I shall sing of no lady nor maiden, save the most gentle virgin from whose sacred womb the Son of God emerged and became man. It seems to me that when I speak her name, honey drips from it. You are a fragrant rose, the dew that nourishes the world, just as your sweet breast once nourished the Son of God! Whoever aligns with her shall find safe harbor. For none can be barred from entering Paradise if she has chosen to let them in. Mother of the King of Heaven, you who are sweeter than honey, remove from us the gall that leads souls to the garden of sin. Let the fools now sing of foolish things. From this moment, my vielle shall play only noblesounds, to honor the One whose name surpasses all others…”

— Brice Duisit (Text adapted from the lyrics of Gautier de Coincy’s songs)

Gautier de Coincy

Gautier de Coincy (1177–1236) was a Benedictine monk and French trouvère, recognized as one of the greatest poet-musicians of the medieval period. Renowned for his Miracles de Nostre Dame, he combined devotional poetry with the melodies of secular songs, transforming popular tunes into expressions of Marian devotion. Living under the patronage of the nobility, Gautier served as prior at Saint-Médard in Soissons.

His works, compiled into collections of miracles and devout songs, reveal a profound talent for crafting sacred lyrics from secular origins. Gautier’s mastery lies in his ability to elevate simple melodies through intricate contrafacta, blending poetic depth with musical grace. His artful manipulation of language allows religious devotion to resonate with the charm of courtly love, inviting listeners to a spiritual experience that is both intimate and transcendent.

The challenge in performing his music lies not in the melodies themselves but in conveying the rich poetry, where rhymes and rhythms dance in a delicate interplay of sound and meaning. In this lies the true genius of Gautier de Coincy, offering a window into the devotional fervor of the medieval soul.