“Douce Dame Jolie” is one of the best-known French songs of all time, and an old one at that. It’s a love song from the 14th century by French composer Guillaume de Machaut. The translation on Wikipedia gushes with romance: “Sweet, lovely lady, for God’s sake do not think, that any has sovereignty, over my heart, but you alone. For always, without treachery
Cherished have I you, and humbly all the days of my life served without base thoughts.
Alas, I am left begging for hope and relief, for my joy is at its end without your compassion.” Our version has fewer “bast thoughts”:
Douce dame jolie. How could you believe That there could ever be Another one I love?
For with such honesty, honestly I’ll always cherish you
For with such honesty, humbly I’ll always cherish you.
