Orientis Partibus

Latin Conductus

This is a monophonic example of Latin lyric poetry (conductus).  In medieval France, the Ass was venerated (at first seriously (or at least lightheartedly) and later as a farce, becoming banned in the fifteenth century.  There are seven stanzas, three are given here.  The translation is as follows:

Out of eastern lands the ass arrived, handsome and strong, an apt beast of burden.  Hey, Sir Ass, Hey!
Gold from Arabia, Incense and Myrrh from Saba, to the church bore this virtuous Ass.  Hey, sir Ass, Hey.
Say "amen", ass, all filled with grain, "amen", "amen" again, and disdain ancient sins. Hey, sir Ass, Hey.