Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Le soir ramène le silence. Assis sur ces rochers déserts, Je suis dans le vague des airs Le char de la nuit qui s'avance. Vénus se lève à l'horizon ; À mes pieds l'étoile amoureuse. De sa lueur mystérieuse Blanchit les tapis de gazon. De ce hêtre au feuillage sombre J'entends frissonner les rameaux : On dirait autour des tombeaux Qu'on entend voltiger une ombre. Tout à coup détaché des cieux, Un rayon de l'astre nocturne, Glissant sur mon front taciturne, Vient mollement toucher mes yeux. Doux reflet d'un globe de flamme, Charmant rayon, que me veux-tu ? Viens-tu dans mon sein abattu Porter la lumière à mon âme ? Descends-tu pour me révéler Des mondes le divin mystère? [Les]1 secrets cachés dans la sphère Où le jour va te rappeler ? Une secrète intelligence T'adresse-t-elle aux malheureux ? Viens-tu la nuit briller sur eux Comme un rayon de l'espérance ? Viens-tu dévoiler l'avenir Au cœur fatigué qui t'implore ? Rayon divin, es-tu l'aurore Du jour qui ne doit pas finir ? Mon cœur à ta clarté s'enflamme, Je sens des transports inconnus, Je songe à ceux qui ne sont plus Douce lumière, es-tu leur âme ? Peut-être ces mânes heureux Glissent ainsi sur le bocage ? Enveloppé de leur image, Je crois me sentir plus près d'eux ! Ah ! si c'est vous, ombres chéries ! Loin de la foule et loin du bruit, Revenez ainsi chaque nuit Vous mêler à mes rêveries. Ramenez la paix et l'amour Au sein de mon âme épuisée, Comme la nocturne rosée Qui tombe après les feux du jour. Venez !... mais des vapeurs funèbres Montent des bords de l'horizon : Elles voilent le doux rayon, Et tout rentre dans les ténèbres.
C. Gounod sets stanzas 1-2, 4-6, 8
L. Niedermeyer sets stanzas 1-2, 4-6, 8
J. Altès sets stanzas 1-5, 8-13
J. Cohen sets stanzas 1-6, 8-13
1 Gounod, Niedermeyer: "Ces"
Authorship:
- by Alphonse Marie Louis de Lamartine (1790 - 1869), "Le soir", appears in Méditations poétiques [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Joseph Henry Altès (1826 - 1895), "Le soir", op. 26 no. 15, published [1865?], stanzas 1-5,8-13 [ voice and piano or orchestra ], from 15 Mélodies, no. 15, Paris, Éd. Simon Richault [sung text not yet checked]
- by Jules Émile David Cohen (1835 - 1901), "Le Soir", published [1863], stanzas 1-6,8-13 [ high voice and piano ], Paris, Éd. 'Au Ménestrel' Heugel [sung text not yet checked]
- by Charles Gounod (1818 - 1893), "Le soir", CG 441 (1840-2), published 1861, stanzas 1-2,4-6,8 [ voice, piano, horn obbligato ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Edmond Michotte (1831 - 1914), "Le soir", published [1864] [ vocal quartet for female voices and piano ], from Vingt-cinq morceaux de chant à une et à plusieurs voix avec accompagnement de piano, no. 25, Paris, Éd. Flaxland [sung text not yet checked]
- by Louis Niedermeyer (1802 - 1861), "Le soir", stanzas 1-2,4-6,8 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Jim Reilly) , "Evening", copyright © 2016-2024, (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: 52
Word count: 289
The evening brings back silence. Seated on these deserted rocks I track in the hazy air The advancing chariot of night. Venus rises on the horizon; At my feet the amorous star With its mysterious radiance Turns the lawn’s carpet white. From the beech wood’s dark foliage I hear the palms rustle : It seems that from the tombs You can hear a ghost flutter. Suddenly leaving the heavens, A ray from the nocturnal star Glides upon my solemn brow And arrives to gently touch my eyes. Gentle reflection of that globe of flame, Charming ray, what do you want of me? Do you come to my battered breast To bring light to my soul? Do you descend to reveal to me The divine mystery of worlds? [The]1 secrets hidden in the sphere Where day goes to call you forth? Are you a secret intelligence Here to address the unhappy? Do you come at night to shine on them Like a ray of hope? Do you come to unveil the future To the tired heart which pleads with you? Divine ray, are you the dawn of the day which will not end? My heart ignites at this clear light, I feel unknown transports, I dream of those who are no longer; Gentle light, are you their soul? Perhaps these happy spirits Glide thus to these woody groves Enveloped with their image, I believe I feel nearer to them! Ah, if it is you, beloved ghosts! Far from the crowd and far from the noise, Return then every night And mingle with my reveries. Bring back peace and love To the breast of my exhausted soul, Like the dewy night Which descends after the fires of day. Come !...but funereal mists Mount the edges of the horizon: They veil the sweet ray, And everything returns to darkness.
Note: updated March 18, 2024.
1 Gounod, Niedermeyer: "These"Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2016-2024 by Jim Reilly, (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:
- a text in French (Français) by Alphonse Marie Louis de Lamartine (1790 - 1869), "Le soir", appears in Méditations poétiques
This text was added to the website: 2016-10-26
Line count: 52
Word count: 306