CXXIX. OCKEGHEM, Johannes: Missa "L'homme armé"

CXXIX. OCKEGHEM, Johannes (1410/25-1497)

Missa "L'homme armé"
Kyrie
Oxford Camerata
Jeremy Summerly, cond.
(2:20)

As stated in the earlier entry on Josquin (XXV), the use of a cantus firmus was often based on some secular song -- usually with naughty lyrics. Presumably, the peasant churchgoers found some amusement in this -- but it was a common practice among most Renaissance composers who wrote masses. (Josquin, himself, wrote many, many secular songs, as well.)

The origins of "L'homme armé" seem to be lost to the mists of time.

L'homme armé doibt on doubter
On a fait partout crier
Que chascun se viegne armer
D'un haubregon de fer.
L'homme armé doibt on doubter.

The armed man should be feared.
Everywhere it has been proclaimed
That each man shall arm himself
With a coat of iron mail.
The armed man should be feared.

**

Theories abound:

1. The "armed man" represents St. Michael the Archangel;
2. It was the name of a popular tavern (Maison L'Homme Arme) in Cambrai;
3. It represented the arming for a new crusade against the Turks;
4. It was a stylized combination of a street cry and a trumpet call ...

In any case, one can follow the cantus in the tenor voice of the Kyrie.

Note the use of F#s and Bbs, to avoid harsh-sounding intervals inherent in the mode -- presumably Mixolydian, but actual plain-old G Major!

What's up with the time signature? -- 3/1!