Of Shadow and Sunlight

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Louis Beydts (1896 - 1953)

View original-language texts alone: d’Ombre et de soleil

1. Le temps d'Adonis
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Dans la saison qu'Adonis fut blessé,
Mon cœur aussi de l'atteinte soudaine
        D'un regard lancé.

Hors de l'abyme où le temps nous entraîne,
T'évoquerai-je, ô belle, en vain — ô vaines
        Ombres, souvenirs.

Ah ! dans mes bras qui pleurais demi-nue,
Certe serais encore, à revenir,
        La bienvenue.

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
1. The Time of Adonis
Language: English 
In the season when Adonis was wounded,
So was my heart by the sudden onslaught 
       Of a cast glance.

Out of the abyss where time draws us down,
I will call you up, O beauty, in vain — O vain
        Shadows, memories.

Ah! you who cried half-naked in my arms,
To return you would certainly still
        [Ah! be]1 welcome.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2025 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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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Beydts: "Be"


This text was added to the website: 2025-09-23
Line count: 9
Word count: 60

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. Toi qu'empourprait l'âtre d'hiver
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Toi qu'empourprait l'âtre d'hiver
        Comme une rouge nue
Où déjà te dessinait nue
        L'arôme de ta chair ;

Ni vous, dont l'image ancienne
        Captive encor mon cœur,
Ile voilée, ombres en fleurs,
        Nuit océanienne ;

Non plus ton parfum, violier
        Sous la main qui t'arrose,
Ne valent la brûlante rose
        Que midi fait plier.

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
2. You, ruby-tinted by Winter's hearth
Language: English 
Not you, ruby-tinted by Winter's hearth 
        Like a ruddy cloud
Where already you were sketched nude 
        By the scent of your flesh;

Nor you, whose ancient image
        Still captivates my heart,
Veiled island, flowered shadows,
        Oceanian night;

Nor yet your perfume, gilliflower
        Beneath the hand that waters you,
Are worth the fiery rose
        That bows at noon's command.

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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Translations of titles:
"Toi qu'empourprait l'âtre" = "You, ruby-tinted by the hearth"
"Toi qu'empourprait l'âtre d'hiver" = "You, ruby-tinted by Winter's hearth"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-01
Line count: 12
Word count: 58

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Dormez, ami
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Dormez, ami ; demain votre âme
        Prendra son vol plus haut.
Dormez, mais comme le gerfaut,
        Ou la couverte flamme.

Tandis que dans le couchant roux
        Passent les éphémères,
Dormez sous les feuilles amères.
        Ma jeunesse avec vous.

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
3. Sleep, Friend
Language: English 
Sleep, friend; tomorrow your soul 
        Will be soaring higher.
Sleep, but like the gyrfalcon 
        Or the covered flame.

While into the russet sunset
        The mayflies pass,
Sleep beneath the bitter leaves.
        My youth with you.

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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Translations of titles:
"Dormez, ami" = "Sleep, Friend"
"In memoriam J. G. M., M. C. M. III." = "In memory of J. G. M., 1903"
"Les Feuilles amères" = "Bitter Leaves"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-01
Line count: 8
Word count: 35

Translation © by Grant Hicks
4. Douce plage où naquit mon âme ...
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Douce plage où naquit mon âme ;
        Et toi, savane en fleurs
Que l'Océan trempe de pleurs
        Et le soleil de flamme ;

Douce aux ramiers, douce aux amants,
        Toi de qui la ramure
Nous charmait d'ombre, et de murmure,
        Et de roucoulements ;

Où j'écoute frémir encore
        Un aveu tendre et fier —
Tandis qu'au loin riait la mer
        Sur le corail sonore.

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
4. Pleasant beach where my soul was born
Language: English 
Pleasant beach where my soul was born;
        And you, flowered savannah,
That the ocean drenches with tears 
        And the sun with flame;

Pleasant to ringdoves, pleasant to lovers,
        You whose branches 
Enchanted us with shade, and murmuring,
        And cooing;

Where still I hear trembling 
        A tender and proud confession —
While far away the sea laughed 
        Over the resonant coral.

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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Translations of titles:
"Douce plage" = "Pleasant Beach"
"Douce plage où naquit mon âme ..." = "Pleasant beach where my soul was born"



This text was added to the website: 2026-01-30
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by Grant Hicks
5. L'hiver bat la vitre et le toit
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
L'hiver bat la vitre et le toit.
        Il fait bon dans la chambre,
A part cette sale odeur d'ambre
        Et de plaisir. Mais toi,

Les roses naissent sur ta face
        Quand tu ris près du feu...
Ce soir tu me diras adieu,
        Ombre, que l'ombre efface.

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Note: Garno (also garni) is a slang term for furnished lodgings.
by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
5. Winter is battering the window and the roof
Language: English 
Winter is battering the window and the roof.
        In the room it is pleasant,
Aside from this foul odor of ambergris 
        And of pleasure. But you,

Roses blossom on your face 
        When you laugh by the fire...
Tonight you will say goodbye to me,
        Shadow effaced by shadow.

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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Translations of titles:
"Le Garno" = "The Flophouse"
"L'hiver bat la vitre et le toit" = "Winter is battering the window and the roof"



This text was added to the website: 2026-01-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Grant Hicks
6. Iris, à son brillant mouchoir
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Iris, à son brillant mouchoir,
        De sept feux illumine
La molle averse qui chemine,
        Harmonieuse à choir.

Ah, sur les roses de l'été,
        Sois la mouvante robe,
Molle averse, qui me dérobe
        Leur aride beauté.

Et vous, dont le rire joyeux
        M'a caché tant d'alarmes,
Puissé-je voir enfin des larmes
        Monter jusqu'à vos yeux.

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
6. Iris, wearing her bright kerchief
Language: English 
Iris, wearing her bright kerchief,
        Lights up with seven flames
The gentle shower that passes by,
        Harmonious in its fall.

Ah, on the roses of Summer,
        Be the flowing gown,
Gentle shower, that conceals from me
        Their arid beauty.

And you, whose joyous laughter 
        Has hidden from me so many warnings,
May I at last see tears
        Rising to your eyes.

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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Translations of titles:
"Iris" = "Iris"
"Iris, à son brillant mouchoir" = "Iris, wearing her bright kerchief"

Note: Iris was the Greek goddess of the rainbow.


This text was added to the website: 2026-01-31
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Grant Hicks
7. Le temps irrévocable a fui
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Le temps irrévocable a fui. L'heure s'achève.
Mais toi, quand tu reviens, et traverses mon rêve,
Tes bras sont plus frais que le jour qui se lève,
        Tes yeux plus clairs.

A travers le passé ma mémoire t'embrasse.
Te voici. Tu descends en courant la terrasse
Odorante, et tes faibles pas s'embarrassent
        Parmi les fleurs.

Par un après-midi de l'automne, au mirage
De ce tremble inconstant que varient les nuages,
Ah, verrai-je encor se farder ton visage
        D'ombre et de soleil ?

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
7. Irrevocable time has fled
Language: English 
Irrevocable time has fled. The hour is at an end.
But you, when you return, and pass through my dreams,
Your arms are fresher than the dawning day,
        Your eyes brighter.

Across the past my memory embraces you.
Here you are. You run down the fragrant 
Terrace, and your dainty steps become entangled
        Among the flowers.

On an Autumn afternoon, in the mirage 
Of this fickle aspen reshaped by the clouds,
Ah, will I see again your face painted
        With shadow and sunlight?

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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Translations of titles:
"Le temps irrévocable a fui" = "Irrevocable time has fled"
"Le tremble est blanc" = "The Aspen Is White"



This text was added to the website: 2026-01-30
Line count: 12
Word count: 83

Translation © by Grant Hicks
8. Puisque tes jours ne t'ont laissé
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Puisque tes jours ne t'ont laissé
Qu'un peu de cendre dans la bouche,
Avant qu'on ne tende la couche
Où ton cœur dorme, enfin glacé,
Retourne, comme au temps passé,
Cueillir, près de la dune instable,
Le lys qu'y courbe un souffle amer,
— Et grave ces mots sur le sable :
Le rêve de l'homme est semblable
Aux illusions de la mer.

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by Paul-Jean Toulet (1867 - 1920)
8. Since your days have left you nothing
Language: English 
Since your days have left you nothing 
But a few ashes in your mouth,
Before the bed is stretched out
For your heart to sleep on, frozen at last,
Come back, as in time past,
To gather, by the shifting dune,
The lily bent there by a bitter wind,
— And etch these words in the sand:
Man's dreams are like
The illusions of the sea.

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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Translations of titles:
"Puisque tes jours" = "Since your days"
"Puisque tes jours ne t'ont laissé" = "Since your days have left you nothing"



This text was added to the website: 2026-01-27
Line count: 10
Word count: 66

Translation © by Grant Hicks