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The blonde

Translations © by Laura Prichard

Song Cycle by Charles Gounod (1818 - 1893)

View original-language texts alone: Biondina, poème musical

1. Prologo: Da qualche tempo
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Da qualche tempo in faccia a casa mia,
Fa dimoranza una biondina bella.
E' senza damo, e credo che la sia
Un'orfanella.

Seduta alla finestra tutto il giorno
Lavora d'ago, e canta sì graziosa,
che ne son preso, e che le vo d'attorno
senza mai posa.

E come suole Amor che dà dell'estro,
M'ha suggerita questa letterina;
E gliela porsi quando n'ebbi il destro
L'altra mattina.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
1. Prologue: For some time
Language: English 
For some time now, across from my house,
Has lived a pretty blonde girl.
She’s without a lover, and I believe that she's
A little orphan girl.

Seated at her window the whole day
She works her needle, and sings with such grace,
The I’m completely preoccupied and follow her around
without ever resting.

And as in the way of Love who gives inspiration,
He has suggested this little letter;
And handed it to her when I had the chance
The other morning.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

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Translator's note for line 3-2: "he", i.e., Love"


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 83

Translation © by Laura Prichard
1. Comme à l'aurore  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Comme à l'aurore
On voit la rose éclore,
J'ai vu paraître
Blondine à sa fenètre;
Sage et modeste,
on dit que ma Blondine
Est orpheline.

L'aimable fille
Alerte à son aiguille,
Travaille et chante,
Si vive et si charmante
Qu'elle me trouble
et que sans fin ni trève
Elle est mon rêve, toujours mon rêve!

Et comme c'est l'amour
que nous inspire,
N'osant parler,
Voilà que j'ose écrire!..
Va! prends courage!
Va lui rendre hommage,
Va, doux message!..

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
1.
[Translation not yet available]
2. Biondina
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Biondina bella, se tu fossi mia,
Ti vestirei di bianco tutta quanta,
Sì che paressi la Vergine Maria,
O qualche santa.

Ti condurrei così nella chiesetta,
Là dove m'han portato a battezzare,
E là ti vorrei fatta una nicchietta
Sopra l'altare.

E bramerei che l'organo suonato 
Da qualche Serafin del Paradiso
Mi facesse morire inebriato
Sul tuo bel viso.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
2. Biondina
Language: English 
Fair Biondina, if you were mine,
I would dress you all in white,
So you’d look like the Virgin Mary,
Or some saintly woman.

I would take you to the little church,
Where I was brought to be baptized,
And have built for you a little niche
Above the altar.

And I’d have the organ played 
By some seraphim from paradise
So that I might die inebriated
By your beautiful face.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
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Translator's note on the name Biondina: “Blondie” or blonde girl.


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Laura Prichard
2. O belle blonde
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
O belle blonde,
Je ne rêve au monde
Que de te voir, 
ainsi qu'à la madonne,
Un voile blanc qui dans l'ombre rayonne,
Et t'environne!

Je te voudrais conduire
ainsi moi-mème,
Où j'ai reçu
l'eau sainte du baptême.
Dans cette église où nos deux mains unies
Seraient bénies!

Et je voudrais au son
des voix divines,
De l'orgue saint, 
des cloches argentines,
Sous ton regard où mon âme se noie,
Mourir de joie!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
2.
[Translation not yet available]
3. Sotto un cappello rosa
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Ier l'ho scontrata in abito di festa,
Che la parea venir dal Paradiso;
Un cappellino rosa aveva in testa,
Un bianco vel sul viso.

In bianco vel, sotto un cappello rosa
Non vidi al mondo mai più bella cosa.

Ella sembrava quasi la Madonna
Che sta dipinta in Chiesa a la mia pieve;
Era vestita d'una bianca gonna
Fulgida come neve.

In cappellino, in velo ed in gonnella,
Non vidi al mondo mai cosa più bella.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
3. Under a pink hat
Language: English 
Yesterday I ran into her in her best dress,
Looking as if she’d come from Paradise;
A pink hat on her head,
A white veil over her face.

In a white veil, underneath a pink hat
I never saw such a pretty thing in all the world.
She looked just like the Madonna
Who is painted in my parish church;
She wore a white skirt
Shining like snow.

In [her] little hat, veil and skirt,
I never saw such a pretty thing in all the world.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Translator's note on line 1: "best dress": sometimes implies “Sunday best” or “party clothes”.


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 86

Translation © by Laura Prichard
3. Hier je l'ai vue
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Hier je l'ai vue
en beaux habits de fête;
un chapeau rose
ornait sa blonde tête;
Son voile blanc,
gardien qui la protége
Etait couleur de neige.

Voile et chapeau,
l'un blanc et l'autre rose,
Vit-on jamais 
plus adorable chose?..

En la voyant
les anges l'eussent prise
Pour la madonne,
orgueil de notre église.
Telle la Vierge
avec son auréole
Porte une blanche étoile!

Neige et rayon,
parure blanche et rose,
Vit-on jamais 
plus adorable chose?..

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
3.
[Translation not yet available]
4. Le labbra ella compose
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Le labbra ella compose ad un sorriso
Che avrebbe quasi affascinato il sole,
Poi, nel guardarmi, la si fece in viso
Color delle viole

Ond'io (vedete dove il timor si mette!)
Rimasi imbarazzato nel saluto,
E le volendo dir mille cosette
Stetti le labbra muto

Timido fatto, ed ella ognor modesta,
Ci guardammo senza nulla dire.
Ma nel toccarle un lembo della vesta,
io mi sentii morire.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
4. She composed her lips into a smile
Language: English 
She composed her lips into a smile
That would have fascinated the sun,
Then, upon seeing me, her face turned
The color of violets.
So I (see where fear leads you!)
Was embarrassed as I greeted her,
And, wanting to tell her a thousand trifles
My lips refused to speak.

I had become timid, and she was, as always, modest,
We stared at each other with nothing to say.
But as I touched the hem of her dress,
I felt myself die.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
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Translator's note on line 2-4: "My lips refused to speak", literally, “stood mute”.


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 82

Translation © by Laura Prichard
4. Un sourire éclaira  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Un sourire éclaira son doux visage,
Comme un rayon doux un ciel sans nuage;
Puis la pauvrette
S'arrêta muette
Couleur de violette.

Moi-même, rouge et troublé comme elle,
En la voyant si charmante et si belle,
Moi, je ne trouvai 
rien a lui dire
Devant ce doux sourire!

Elle modeste et moi toujours timide,
Nos yeux semblaient se perdre dans le vide...
Mais, je sentais 
mon âme défaillante
Rien qu'en frolant sa mante.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
4.
[Translation not yet available]
5. E stati alquanto
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
E stati alquanto come bimbi persi,
Noi ritrovammo entrambi la favella.
Ed io così m'apersi
A Biondinella.

Son ito a navigar molta marina
E n'ho vedute, delle belle, assai;
Ma come te, Biondina,
Oh, no! Giammai.

Se fui cortese a niuna in altri lidi
D'un sorrisetto, d'un sospir, d'un fiore,
A te, quando ti vidi,
Ho dato il core.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
5. Having been, for awhile
Language: English 
Having been, for awhile, lost children,
We regained the power of speech.
And so I opened my [heart]
To Biondinella.
“I have sailed many seas
And I’ve seen many beauties;
But [as fair] as you, Biondina,
Oh, no! Never.

“Even though I courted none on other shores
With a quick smile, a sigh, or a flower,
To you, when I saw you,
I gave my heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

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Translator's note on line 1-4: Biondinella - literally, the little blonde, or Blondie; in German: Blöndchen.


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Laura Prichard
5. Crainte frivole  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Crainte frivole
Qui bientôt s'envole!
Nous rerouvons ensemble la parole;
Ce que je viens d'écrire,
J'ose le dire.

J'ai vu bien des beautés
de par le monde,
Mais comme toi jamais,
ô belle blonde!
Blondine est la plus belle!
Mon coeur ne voit plus qu'elle!

Si je donnai parfois
fleur et sourire!
Et sans le coeur 
la bouche qui soupire,
A toi je donne l'âme,
Avec toute sa flamme!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
5.
[Translation not yet available]
6. Ho messo nuove corde al mandolino
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Ho messo nuove corde al mandolino
Perché le voglio far le serenate,
E gliene voglio far sera e mattino
E verno e state.

E farò sì che per le mie canzone
Vada costei famosa e disiata,
Come la bella Donna d'Avignone
Un tempo è stata.

E si dirà. "Qual è cotesta stella
Ond'il mondo ragiona? Oh come ha'l viso?"
Ed io: "Non se ne trova una sì bella
In Paradiso."

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
6. I put new strings on the mandolin
Language: English 
I put new strings on the mandolin
Because I want to serenade her,
And I want do it during the evening and morning
In winter and summer.

And because of my songs
She will become famous and pursued,
Like fair lady of Avignon
Once upon a time.

And it will be said. “What kind of star is this,
The world is talking about? What is it about her face?”
And I [respond]: “None can be found who are more fair
In Paradise.”

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Note on line 1-4: "verno" and "state" are variants of “hiverno” and “estate”.


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 82

Translation © by Laura Prichard
6. Pour la chanter  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Pour la chanter en mon brûlant délire,
J'ai mis des cor des neuves analyze!
Pour la chanter quand vient la douce aurore,
Le soir, pour la chante encore!

Et par mes chants ma jeune bien-aimée
Un jour sera du monde renommée,
Comme jadis la dame de Vaucluse,
Divine muse!

Et l'on dira: qui donc est cette belle?
Voici briller une étoile nouvelle!
Qui donc est elle? Est moi:
Parmi les anges du ciel même
Rien n'est si beau que ce qui j'aime!
Non, rien n'efface 
Dans le ciel même
Celle que j'aime!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
6.
[Translation not yet available]
7. Se come io son poeta
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Se come io son poeta e so cantare
Fossi guerriero e maneggiassi il brando,
vorrei, Biondina, tutto soggettare
Al tuo comando.

Vorrei del sol farti una bianca vesta
Onde fossi la Bella delle belle,
Vorrei posarti una corona in testa
Fatta di stelle.

Poscia vorrei che un giorno a' primi albori
Fossimo desti in una via fiorita,
Sparsa di pecorelle, e là pastori
Finir la vita.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
7. Since I’m a poet and can sing
Language: English 
Since I’m a poet and can sing,
just as if I were a warrior brandishing a sword,
I’d like, Biondina, everyone to be subject
To your commands.
I’d like to make you a white dress out of sunlight
So you’d be the fairest of the fair,
I’d like to place a crown on your head
Made of stars.

And then at dawn one day, I’d like
To wake up with you on a petal-strewn path,
Dotted with sheep, and as shepherds,
Live out our lives.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2016-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 85

Translation © by Laura Prichard
7. Si j'avais l'univers  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Si j'avais l'univers sous mon empire,
Comme la lyre
Que ton amour enflamme 
dans mes vers,
Je t'offrirais demain,
ma douce blonde
Le diadème et le sceptre du monde,
De mon soleil
Oui, je voudrais ravir l'éclat vermeil
Pour ta robe de reine
et pour ton voile,
Et du rayon de ma 
plus pure étoile,
Parer ton front!

Puis je voudrais,
un jour avec l'aurore
Nous éveillant tous deux
Comme d'un songe heureux,
Nous retrouver pasteurs
Et nous aimer encore,
Et t'emporter aux cieux,
Bel ange radieux!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
7.
[Translation not yet available]
8. Siam iti l'altro giorno
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Siam iti l'altro giorno dal Curato
Con un regalo, secondo l'usanza,
E là m'apersi, e'n sua presenza ho dato
L'anello di fidanza.

Egli era all'orto, dove ogni mattina
Suol coglier fiori da parar lo altare,
Tolse il più bello ed alla mia Biondina
Lo volle proprio dare.

E come fu del rito il dì fissato,
C'incamminammo entrambi sì festosi,
Che per la strada tutto il vicinato
Dicea: "Viva gli sposi!"

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

Go to the general single-text view

by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
8. The other day, we visited the curate
Language: English 
The other day, we visited the curate
With a gift, according to the custom,
And there, I expressed my joy, and in his presence, I gave her
The engagement ring.
He was in the place, where every morning
He picks flowers to adorn the altar,
He chose the most beautiful, and to my Biondina
He insisted on giving it.

And when the wedding date had been set,
We walked together so joyfully
That along our way all the neighbors
Cried out: “Long live the bride and groom!”

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Translator's note for line 1-3: "m'apersi", translated above as "I expressed my joy", literally means “I opened myself up".


This text was added to the website: 2016-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 87

Translation © by Laura Prichard
8. L'autre matin  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
L'autre matin notre joie était grande;
Nous avons fait au curé notre offrande;
Suivant l'usage, 
Elle a reçu, doux présage,
L'anneau qui nous engage!
Luim sans mot dire,
Avec un sourire
Prit une rose,
La plume fraîche éclose,
Dans le jardin qui pare son église,
Pour elle, ma promise!
Le jour fixé pour notre mariage,
Ivres d'amour, nous vîmes au passage
Tout le village
Nous fêter d'un cri qu'on devine:
Vive, vive ta Blondine!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
8.
[Translation not yet available]
9. E le campane hanno suonato
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
E le campane hanno suonato a festa,
E rimbombato ha l'aria da' mortai;
Ah! Che una cerimonia come questa
Non s'è veduta mai.

Biondina ed io a tutti per le vie
Gettavamo confetti a canestrate;
Abbiam ballato e fatte assai follie
Come v'immaginate,

Poi che fu giunta di quel dì la fine,
Ah! Con quali note ve lo posso dire?
Ebbro di gioia, fra le sue manine
Io mi credea morire!

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

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by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
9. Church bells announced the wedding
Language: English 
Church bells announced the wedding,
And fireworks resounded;
Ah! Such a ceremony as this
Was never seen before.

Biondina and I, to everybody in the streets,
Threw Jordan almonds from baskets.
We danced and enjoyed love’s madness
As you might imagine.

Then the day drew to a close,
Ah! How can I possilbly capture it?
Drunk with joy, in her arms
I believed I would die!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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

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This text was added to the website: 2016-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Laura Prichard
9. Grand bruit de cloches  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Grand bruit de cloches pour annoncer la fête!
Voix joyeuses! gai signal de la fête!
Bruit de mortiers à nous rompre la tête!
Ah! l'on ne vit jamais fête pareille!
C'était vraiment merveille!

Par nous jetées
A la foule accourue
Les dragées
Allaient jonchant la rue!
Et puis la danse! et puis mainte folie
Que nul jamais n'oublie!

Quand la nuit sombre
Répandit son ombre,
Joie est délire,
Qui pourra vous dire?
Heure divine!
Rêve de flamme!
Près de ma Blondine
Je pensai rendre l'âme!
consumé de ma flamme!
Je pensai rendre l'âme!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
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Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
9.
[Translation not yet available]
10. Ella è malata
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Ella è malata, ella s'è messa in letto
La povera Biondina! E son d'avviso
Che Dio la voglia fare un Angioletto
Del Paradiso.

Oh! Madonnina! Il Ciel n'ha pu già tante
Anime elette!   Lasciami costei!
E se non lice, fammi sull'istante
Morir con lei!

Come colombe al tuo santo appello
Noi volerem chiamati dal desio;
La tomba è forse il talamo più bello
Dato da Dio!

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

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by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
10. She’s fallen ill
Language: English 
She’s fallen ill, she’s taken to her bed
Poor Biondina! And I worry
That God will transform her into a little angel
of paradise.

Oh! Blessed Virgin! Heaven already has so many
Souls of the elect! Leave me hers!
And if this can’t be, let me instantly
Die with her!

Like doves, at your sacred call
We’ll take wing, summonded by desire;
The tomb may be the most beautiful bed
God can give!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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.
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This text was added to the website: 2016-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 73

Translation © by Laura Prichard
10. Elle est malade  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Elle est malade!.. sur sa couche étendue!
Malade, ma Blondine!..

Bonté divine, 
Est-elle déjà perdue?..
Ame céleste au ciel rendue!..
Sainte Madonne,
Le ciel a des phalanges,
Des milliers d'anges!..
Sois clémente et bonne!
Que la mort pardonne!..
Et si Dieu même
Prend ce que j'aime,
Fais qu'à la même heure
Avec elle je meure!
Fais qu'à la même heure
A ses pieds je meure!

Ouvrant nos aîles
Vers toi qui nous appelles,
Nous volerons aux sphères éternelles!
La tombe est un lit nuptial peut-être!..
Dieu soit le maître!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
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Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
10.
[Translation not yet available]
11. Ier fu mandata
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Ier fu mandata una persona pia
Che la vestì di bianco tutta quanta;
Poi son venuti, e l'han portata via
In pompa santa.

L'ho vista proprio là nella chiesetta
Là dove m'han portato a battezzare;
Stava la bara della poveretta
Presso l'altare.

Mi venne allor sul viso uno smortore
Che somigliava al bacio della Morte,
E freddo per letargico sudore,
Caddi alle porte.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

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by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
11. Yesterday, a pious women
Language: English 
Yesterday, a pious women was sent
Who dressed her all in white;
Then they came, and bore her away
in holy pomp.

I saw my beloved in the same church
Where I was brought to be baptized;
The poor girl’s coffin stood
At the altar.

My face blanched
As though kissed by Death,
And frenched in a cold sweat,
I collapsed by the door.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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.
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  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
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This text was added to the website: 2016-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by Laura Prichard
11. On l'a placée  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
On l'a placée avec sa robe blanche
Sous une croix verse qui sa tête penche.
Et puis le prêtre a pris ma pauvre amie!
Elle est partie!

J'ai vu s'ouvrir encor l'église même
Où j'ai reçu l'eau sainte du baptême!..
Devant l'autel on a pour la prière
Placé sa bière!

Alors sur mon visage humide et blème
J'ai cru sentir le froid de la mort même,
A terre, sur le seuil de cette porte
Près de la morte!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
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Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
11.
[Translation not yet available]
12. L'ho accompagnata
 (Sung text)
Language: Italian (Italiano) 
L'ho accompagnata fino al Camposanto,
Dove la terra fu per lei rimossa,
E là mi sono stemperato in pianto
Vicino alla sua fossa.

Poscia ho piantato della croce al piede
Due fiorellini d'opposto colore:
Uno era scuro, ed è per chi lo vede 
Simbol del mio dolore.

L'altro era bianco siccome la Fede,
E gliel' ho posto proprio sul core,
E gliel'ho posto; ed è per chi lo crede
Simbol del suo candore.

Text Authorship:

  • by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title

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by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886)
12. I went with her to cemetery
Language: English 
I went with her to cemetery,
Where the grave had been dug for her,
And there, I dissolved in tears
Next to her tomb.

Then I planted at the foot of the cross
Two flowerets of contrasting colors:
One was dark, for one who may see it as
A symbol of my pain.

The other was as pure white as my fidelity to her,
And I placed it over her heart,
There I placed it; for one who will know it is
a symbol of her innocence.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
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This text was added to the website: 2016-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 87

Translation © by Laura Prichard
12. Je l'ai suivie  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Je l'ai suivie; 
Et j'ai vu la terre,
Prendre ma vie,
Et couvrir la bière!..
Alors j'ai pleuré ta beauté divine,
Ma femme, ô ma Blondine!

Et puis triste emblême,
J'ai planté moi-même
Pour ta mémoire, 
Deux fleurs, blanches et noire
L'une, plus sombre,
Dira mes pleurs sans nombre!
Noire, symbole sombre!

L'autre dira dans sa blanche parure
Ton coeur candide et ta foi pure!
Elle est, ô chère femme, 
Blanche comme ton âme!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)

Based on:

  • a text in Italian (Italiano) by Giuseppe Zaffira (flourished 1868-1886), no title
    • Go to the text page.

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Singable translation by (Paul) Jules Barbier (1825 - 1901)
12.
[Translation not yet available]
Gentle Reminder

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