Matona mia cara
Orlande de Lassus Lyrics

The lyrics of Orlande de Lassus’s song “Matona mia cara” paint a picture of a man serenading his love, Matona. The phrase “mi follere canzon” means “I will sing a lewd song,” indicating that the lyrics are playful and teasing, rather than poetic or romantic. The man begs Matona to listen to his good singing and promises to be devoted to her. He also boasts of his skills as a hunter with falcons and promises to bring her delicious game. The man confesses that he is not as eloquent as Petrarch, but he will make up for it by not being a coward and being able to “push all night”, an apparent reference to his sexual prowess.

The song is full of playful and suggestive language, using double entendres and innuendos that would have been well understood by the Renaissance audience. The lyrics suggest a kind of sexual conquest that is more about charm and wit than raw power or seduction. The man’s confidence in his abilities as a hunter, lover, and singer show him to be a Renaissance man of sorts, someone who is comfortable in various pursuits and confident in his abilities. The song is a testament to the era’s emphasis on courtly love and the use of art and poetry to woo lovers.