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Il est ainsi de pauvres cœurs Avec en eux des lacs de pleurs, Qui sont pâles, comme les pierres D'un cimetière. Il est ainsi de pauvres dos Plus lourds de peine et de fardeaux Que les toits des cassines brunes, Parmi les dunes. Il est ainsi de pauvres mains, Comme feuilles sur les chemins, Comme feuilles jaunes et mortes, Devant la porte. Il est ainsi de pauvres yeux Humbles et bons et soucieux Et plus tristes que ceux des bêtes Sous la tempête. Il est ainsi de pauvres gens, Aux gestes las et indulgents, Sur qui s'acharne la misère, Au long des plaines de la terre.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by Émile Verhaeren (1855 - 1916), "Février", subtitle: "Les Errants", written 1895, appears in Les Douze mois, Éd. Belge, first published 1895 [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 Francis Bousquet (1890 - 1942), "Les Pauvres", published 1910 [ high voice and piano ], Paris, Éditions Maurice & Jane Vieu [sung text not yet checked]
- by Joseph Jongen (1873 - 1953), "Les Pauvres", op. 64 (1919) [ medium voice and piano, with optional string quartet ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Theo Van der Bijl (1886 - 1971), "Les Errants" [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Grant Hicks) , copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-09-02
Line count: 20
Word count: 106
This is how it is for poor hearts With lakes of tears within them, That are pale, like the stones Of a cemetery. This is how it is for poor backs, Heavier with sorrow and burdens Than the roofs of brown cottages Among the dunes. This is how it is for poor hands, Like leaves on the paths, Like leaves yellowed and dead In front of the door. This is how it is for poor eyes, Humble and kind and anxious, And sadder than those of animals Out in the storm. This is how it is for poor folk, With gestures weary and forgiving, Who are hounded by misery Across the plains of the earth.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of titles:
"Février" = "February"
"Les Errants" = "Wanderers"
"Les Pauvres" = "The Poor"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (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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Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Émile Verhaeren (1855 - 1916), "Février", subtitle: "Les Errants", written 1895, appears in Les Douze mois, Éd. Belge, first published 1895
This text was added to the website: 2026-02-17
Line count: 20
Word count: 115