by
James Joyce (1882 - 1941)
I would in that sweet bosom be
Language: English
I would in that sweet bosom be
(O sweet it is and fair it is!)
Where no rude wind might visit me.
Because of sad austerities
I would in that sweet bosom be.
I would be ever in that heart
(O soft I knock and soft entreat her!)
Where only peace might be my part.
Austerities were all the sweeter
So I were ever in that heart.
About the headline (FAQ)
Note: first published as "A wish" in
Speaker (October 1904)
Text Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by David Arditti (b. 1964), no title, op. 20 no. 5 (1998) [ tenor and string quartet ], from Chamber Music, no. 5 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by William A. Billingsley (b. 1922), "I would in that sweet bosom be" [ tenor and piano ], from James Joyce Songs [sung text not yet checked]
- by Laurence Clarke , "I would in that sweet bosom be" [ soprano and piano ], from "Chamber Music": Five Poems by James Joyce [sung text not yet checked]
- by Ross Lee Finney (1906 - 1997), "I would in that sweet bosom be ", 1952, published 1985, first performed 1975 [ voice and piano ], from Chamber Music, no. 6, Henmar Press [sung text not yet checked]
- by Ben Moore (b. 1960), "I would in that sweet bosom be" [ medium-high voice and piano ], from 14 Songs, no. 8, G. Schirmer [sung text not yet checked]
- by Nick Peros (b. 1963), "I would in that sweet bosom be" [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Rick Sowash (b. 1950), "I would in that sweet bosom be", 1998 [ mezzo-soprano, viola, clarinet, flute, and piano ], from Along the River, no. 2 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 10
Word count: 67
Je voudrais être en ce doux sein
Language: French (Français) after the English
Je voudrais être en ce doux sein
(Oh, qu'il est doux et qu'il est beau !)
Où nul vent mal élevé ne pourrait m'atteindre.
À cause de tristes rigueurs
Je voudrais être en ce doux sein.
Je voudrais être toujours dans ce cœur
(Oh, doucement je frappe et doucement je l'implore !)
Où seule la paix pourrait être mon lot.
Les rigueurs seraient toutes plus douces
Si j'étais toujours dans ce cœur.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2009 by Guy Laffaille, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2009-11-07
Line count: 10
Word count: 72
