Strings in the earth and air Make music sweet; Strings by the river where The willows meet. There's music along the river For Love wanders there, Pale flowers on his mantle, Dark leaves on his hair. All softly playing, With head to the music bent, And fingers straying Upon an instrument.
Chamber Music
Song Cycle by David Arditti (b. 1964)
1.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 1, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
2.
The twilight turns from amethyst To deep and deeper blue, The lamp fills with a pale green glow The trees of the avenue. The old piano plays an air, Sedate and slow and gay; She bends upon the yellow keys, Her head inclines this way. Shy thoughts and grave wide eyes and hands That wander as they list? The twilight turns to darker blue With lights of amethyst.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 2, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
3.
When the shy star goes forth in heaven All maidenly, disconsolate, Hear you amid the drowsy even One who is singing by your gate. His song is softer than the dew And he is come to visit you. O bend no more in revery When he at eventide is calling, Nor muse: Who may this singer be Whose song about my heart is falling Know you by this, the lover's chant, 'Tis I that am your visitant.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 4, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
4.
Lean out of the window, Goldenhair, I heard you singing A merry air. My book is closed; I read no more, Watching the fire dance On the floor. I have left my book, I have left my room, For I heard you singing Through the gloom, Singing and singing A merry air. Lean out of the window, Goldenhair.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 5, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
5.
I would in that sweet bosom be (O sweet it is and fair it is!) Where no rude wind might visit me. Because of sad austerities I would in that sweet bosom be. I would be ever in that heart (O soft I knock and soft entreat her!) Where only peace might be my part. Austerities were all the sweeter So I were ever in that heart.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 6, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
6.
Who goes amid the green wood With springtide all adorning her? Who goes amid the meny green wood To make it merrier? Who passes in the sunlight By ways that know the light footfall? Who passes in the sweet sunlight With mien so virginal? The ways of all the woodland Gleam with a soft and golden fire? For whom does all the sunny woodland Carry so brave attire? O, it is for my true love The woods their rich apparel wear O, it is for my own true love, That is so young and fair.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 8, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
7.
Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, Saw you my true love anywhere? Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 9, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
8.
Bid adieu, adieu, adieu, Bid adieu to girlish days, Happy love is come to woo Thee and woo thy girlish ways - The zone that doth become thee fair, The snood upon thy yellow hair. When thou hast heard his name upon The bugles of the cherubim Begin thou softly to unzone Thy girlish bosom unto him And softly to undo the snood That is the sign of maidenhood.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 11, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
9.
My dove, my beautiful one, Arise, arise! The night-dew lies Upon my lips and eyes. The odorous winds are weaving A music of sighs: Arise, arise, My dove, my beautiful one! I wait by the cedar tree, My sister, my love. White breast of the dove, My breast shall be your bed. The pale dew lies Like a veil on my head. My fair one, my fair dove, Arise, arise!
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 14, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
10.
O cool is the valley now And there, love, will we go For many a choir is singing now Where Love did sometime go. And hear you not the thrushes calling, Calling us away? O cool and pleasant is the valley And there, love, will we stay.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 16, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
11.
Because your voice was at my side I gave him pain, Because within my hand I held Your hand again. There is no word nor any sign Can make amend He is a stranger to me now Who was my friend.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 17, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
12.
O Sweetheart, hear you Your lover's tale; A man shall have sorrow When friends him fail. For he shall know then Friends be untrue And a little ashes Their words come to. But one unto him Will softly move And softly woo him In ways of love. His hand is under Her smooth round breast; So he who has sorrow Shall have rest.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 18, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
13.
He who hath glory lost, nor hath Found any soul to fellow his, Among his foes in scorn and wrath Holding to ancient nobleness, That high unconsortable one - His love is his companion.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 21, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
14.
This heart that flutters near my heart My hope and all my riches is, Unhappy when we draw apart And happy between kiss and kiss; My hope and all my riches - yes! - And all my happiness. For there, as in some mossy nest The wrens will divers treasures keep, I laid those treasures I possessed Ere that mine eyes had learned to weep. Shall we not be as wise as they Though love live but a day?
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 23, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Alfredo García) , "Este corazón que late junto al mío", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
15.
Silently she's combing, Combing her long hair, Silently and graciously, With many a pretty air. The sun is in the willow leaves And on the dappled grass, And still she's combing her long hair Before the looking-glass. I pray you, cease to comb out, Comb out your long hair, For I have heard of witchery Under a pretty air, That makes as one thing to the lover Staying and going hence, All fair, with many a pretty air And many a negligence.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 24, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
16.
Lightly come or lightly go: Though thy heart presage thee woe, Vales and many a wasted sun, Oread, let thy laughter run, Till the irreverent mountain air Ripple all thy flying hair. Lightly, lightly - ever so: Clouds that wrap the vales below At the hour of evenstar Lowliest attendants are Love and laughter song-confessed When the heart is heaviest.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 25, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
17.
Gentle lady, do not sing Sad songs about the end of love; Lay aside sadness and sing How love that passes is enough. Sing about the long deep sleep Of lovers that are dead, and how In the grave all love shall sleep: Love is aweary now.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 28, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
18.
O, it was out by Donnycarney When the bat flew from tree to tree My love and I did walk together; And sweet were the words she said to me. Along with us the summer wind Went murmuring - O, happily! - But softer than the breath of summer Was the kiss she gave to me.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 31, first published 1907
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
19.
Sleep now, O sleep now, O you unquiet heart! A voice crying "Sleep now" Is heard in my heart. The voice of the winter Is heard at the door. O sleep, for the winter Is crying "Sleep no more." My kiss will give peace now And quiet to your heart - Sleep on in peace now, O you unquiet heart!
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 34, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
20.
I hear an army charging upon the land, And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees: Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand, Disdaining the reins, with flutt'ring whips, the charioteers. They cry unto the night their battlename: I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter. They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame, Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair: They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair? My love, my love, why have you left me alone?
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 36, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission