The most triumphant Bird I ever knew or met Embarked upon a twig today And till Dominion set I famish to behold so eminent a sight And sang for nothing scrutable But intimate Delight. Retired, and resumed his transitive Estate -- To what delicious Accident Does finest Glory fit!
Purple Syllables
Song Cycle by Augusta Read Thomas (b. 1964)
Translated to:
French (Français) — Syllabes pourpres
1. The most triumphant Bird I ever knew or met  [sung text checked 1 time]
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
2. Of Being is a Bird  [sung text checked 1 time]
Of Being is a Bird The likest to the Down An Easy Breeze do put afloat The General Heavens -- upon -- It soars -- and shifts -- and whirls -- And measures with the Clouds In easy -- even -- dazzling pace -- No different the Birds -- Except a Wake of Music Accompany their feet -- As did the Down emit a Tune -- For Ecstasy -- of it
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
3. The Bird her punctual music brings  [sung text checked 1 time]
The Bird her punctual music brings And lays it in its place -- Its place is in the Human Heart And in the Heavenly Grace -- What respite from her thrilling toil Did Beauty ever take -- But Work might be electric Rest To those that Magic make --
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
4. It is a lonesome Glee  [sung text checked 1 time]
It is a lonesome Glee -- Yet sanctifies the Mind -- With fair association -- Afar upon the Wind A Bird to overhear Delight without a Cause -- Arrestless as invisible -- A matter of the Skies.
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
5. Out of sight? What of that?  [sung text checked 1 time]
Out of sight? What of that? See the Bird -- reach it! Curve by Curve -- Sweep by Sweep -- Round the Steep Air -- Danger! What is that to Her? Better 'tis to fail -- there -- Than debate -- here -- Blue is Blue -- the World through -- Amber -- Amber -- Dew -- Dew -- Seek -- Friend -- and see -- Heaven is shy of Earth -- that's all -- Bashful Heaven -- thy Lovers small -- Hide -- too -- from thee --
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
6. At Half past Three, a single Bird  [sung text checked 1 time]
At Half past Three, a single Bird Unto a silent Sky Propounded but a single term Of cautious melody. At Half past Four, Experiment Had subjugated test And lo, Her silver Principle Supplanted all the rest. At Half past Seven, Element Nor Implement, be seen -- And Place was where the Presence was Circumference between.
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
Go to the single-text view
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
7. Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird  [sung text checked 1 time]
Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird And crossed a thousand Trees Before a Fence without a Fare His Fantasy did please And then he lifted up his Throat And squandered such a Note A Universe that overheard Is stricken by it yet --
Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission