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Five Poems of Gérard de Nerval
Song Cycle by Georges Auric (1899 - 1983)
View original-language texts alone: Cinq Poèmes de Gérard de Nerval
1. Fantaisie
Language: French (Français)
Il est un air pour qui je donnerais Tout Rossini, tout Mozart, tout Weber, Un air très vieux, languissant et funèbre, Qui pour moi seul a des charmes secrets! Et, chaque fois que je viens à l'entendre, De deux cents ans mon âme rajeunit... C'est sous Louis treize; et je crois voir s'étendre Un coteau vert, que le couchant jaunit, Puis un château de brique à coins de pierre, Aux vitraux teints de rougeâtres couleurs, Ceint de grands parcs, avec une rivière Baignant ses pieds, qui coule entre des fleurs; Puis une dame, à sa haute fenêtre, Blonde aux yeux noirs, en ses habits anciens, Que, dans une autre existence peut-être, J'ai déjà vue... et dont je me souviens!
Text Authorship:
- by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Fantaisie", appears in Odelettes rythmiques et lyriques
See other settings of this text.
by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
1. Fantasy
Language: English
There is an air for which I would give All Rossini, all Mozart, all Weber, A very old, languid, funereal air, Which has secret charms for me alone. And every time I come to hear it, My heart becomes two hundred years younger... It's under Louis XIII, and I seem to see a green hill extending, yellowed by the setting sun. Then a brick chateau with corners of stone, With windows tinted in reddish colors, Surrounded by great parks, with a river Bathing its feet, flowing among the flowers; Then a lady at her high window, Blonde with black eyes, in her ancient clothes, Whom I had already seen, perhaps in another existence... And whom I remember!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by David Jonathan Justman, (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 Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Fantaisie", appears in Odelettes rythmiques et lyriques
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Fantaisie" = "Fantasy"This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 15
Word count: 118
Translation © by David Jonathan Justman
2. Chanson gothique
Language: French (Français)
Belle épousée J'aime tes pleurs! C'est la rosée Qui sied aux fleurs. Les belles choses N'ont qu'un printemps, Semons de roses Les pas du Temps! Soit brune ou blonde Faut-il choisir? Le Dieu du monde, C'est le Plaisir.
Text Authorship:
- by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Chanson gothique", written 1849
See other settings of this text.
by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
2. Gothic song
Language: English
Beautiful bride, I love your tears. They are the dew Which suits the flowers. Beautiful things Have only one spring, Let us sow roses, The steps of Time. Whether she be brown or blonde, Must one choose? The God of the world Is Pleasure.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by David Jonathan Justman, (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 Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Chanson gothique", written 1849
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 45
Translation © by David Jonathan Justman
3. Les Cydalises
Language: French (Français)
Où sont nos amoureuses? Elles sont au tombeau. Elles sont plus heureuses, Dans un séjour plus beau ! Elles sont près des anges, Dans le fond du ciel bleu, Et chantent les louanges De la mère de Dieu ! Ô blanche fiancée ! Ô jeune vierge en fleur ! Amante délaissée, Que flétrit la douleur ! L'éternité profonde Souriait dans vos yeux : Flambeaux éteints du monde, Rallumez-vous aux cieux !
Text Authorship:
- by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Les Cydalises", written 1832-35, appears in Petits Châteaux de Bohême, in Odelettes, first published 1853
See other settings of this text.
Note for stanza 4 line 2: in Pénavaire's setting, the first voice has "Souriait dans vos yeux" but the 2nd and 3rd voices have "Souriait tristement dans vos yeux".
by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
3. The Cydalises
Language: English
Where are our sweethearts? They are in the grave: They are happier In a more beautiful place. They are near the angels, In the depths of the blue sky, And they sing the praises Of the mother of God. O white fiancee! O young virgin in flower! Abandoned lover, Faded by pain! Deep eternity Smiled in your eyes... Relight the quenched torches of the world in Heaven.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by David Jonathan Justman, (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 Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Les Cydalises", written 1832-35, appears in Petits Châteaux de Bohême, in Odelettes, first published 1853
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 68
Translation © by David Jonathan Justman
4. Avril
Language: French (Français)
Déjà les beaux jours, - la poussière, Un ciel d'azur et de lumière, Les murs enflammés, les longs soirs; - Et rien de vert: - à peine encore Un reflet rougeâtre décore Les grands arbres aux rameaux noirs! Ce beau temps me pèse et m'ennuie. - Ce n'est qu'après des jours de pluie Que doit surgir, en un tableau, Le printemps verdissant et rose, Comme une nymphe fraîche éclose, Qui, souriante, sort de l'eau.
Text Authorship:
- by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
Go to the general single-text view
by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
4. April
Language: English
Already, pleasant days - the dust, A sky of azure and light, Flaming walls, long evenings; - And nothing green: - Barely a reddish reflection still decorates The big trees with the black branches! This beautiful weather oppresses and annoys me. It's only after days of rain That the greening and pink Spring can emerge, in a picture, Like a newly born nymph, Who comes out of the water smiling.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by David Jonathan Justman, (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 Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 11
Word count: 68
Translation © by David Jonathan Justman
5. Une allée du Luxembourg
Language: French (Français)
Elle a passé, la jeune fille Vive et preste comme un oiseau : À la main une fleur qui brille, À la bouche un refrain nouveau. C'est peut-être la seule au monde Dont le cœur au mien répondrait, Qui venant dans ma nuit profonde D'un seul regard l'éclairerait ! Mais non, - ma jeunesse est finie... Adieu, doux rayon qui m'as lui, - Parfum, jeune fille, harmonie... Le bonheur passait, -- il a fui!
Text Authorship:
- by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Une Allée du Luxembourg", written 1832-35, appears in Odelettes rythmiques et lyriques
See other settings of this text.
by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval
5. An alley in the Luxembourg Gardens
Language: English
She passed, the girl, as lively and swift as a bird: In her hand a brilliant flower, In her mouth a new refrain. Perhaps she's the only one in the world, Whose heart would respond to mine, Who, approaching in my deep night, Would light it with a single look. But no, - my youth is finished... Adieu, gentle beam which enlightened me... Perfume, girl, harmony... Happiness has passed, - it has fled!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by David Jonathan Justman, (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 Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855), as Gérard de Nerval, "Une Allée du Luxembourg", written 1832-35, appears in Odelettes rythmiques et lyriques
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 71
Translation © by David Jonathan Justman