A recording of me singing a traditional English tune, I learnt this a very long time ago for an album. This isn't the same recording, but since it's such a pretty song I thought I'd sing it again so that you might all enjoy it. ^^
'Classical' singing (bel canto) is very different from how they sung in 1300, there would have not been any true vibrato and the voice used would be much lighter than a 'full'operatic voice which is expected today. (A world of difference from 'traditional' singing too.)
What you hear:
Brid one brere, brid, brid one brere,
Kynd is come of love, love to crave
Blythful biryd, on me thu rewe
Or greyth, lef, greith thu me my grave.

Hic am so blithe, so bryhit, brid on brere,
Quan I se that hende in halle:
Yhe is whit of lime, loveli, trewe
Yhe is fayr and flur of alle.

Mikte ic hire at wille haven,
Stedefast of love, loveli, trewe,
Of mi sorwe yhe may me saven
Ioye and blisse were were me newe.

In more understandable English:
Bird on a briar, bird on a briar,
Mankind is come of love, love thus craves.
Blissful bird, have pity on me,
Or dig, love, dig thou for me my grave.

I am so blithe, so bright, bird on briar,
When I see that handmaid in the hall:
She is white of limb, lovely, true,
She is fair and flower of all.

Might I her at my will have,
Steadfast of love, lovely, true,
From my sorrow she may me save
Joy and bliss would wear me new

In even more understandable English:
Bird on a briar, bright bird on a tree,
Nature has come to beg for love from Love:
Blissful bird, on me, on me have pity;
or prepare, beloved, prepare for me, for me my grave.

I am as happy as a bright bird on a briar
when I see that gracious one, most gracious in hall.
She is white of limb, of limb and face;
she is fair, and the flower, the flower of all.

If I could have her, have her at will,
steadfast in love, lovely, true
(from my sorrow she can, she can cure me),
joy and bliss for me would be ever, be ever renewed



I did not draw the picture here, I used the one from here: http://magnatune.com/artists/albums.....riddes-lenten/
This link also has a recording of the same song, but with accompaniment and another singer. I personally do not think that there need be any, but it is a nice interpretation.