English translations of Deux mélodies, opus 20
by Albert Roussel (1869 - 1937)
Où vas-tu, toi qui passes si tard Dans les rues désertes de Salamanque Avec ta toque noire et ta guitare Que tu dissimules sous ta mante? Le couvre-feu est déjà sonné Et depuis longtemps, dans leurs paisibles maisons, Les bourgeois dorment à poings fermés. Ne sais-tu pas qu'un édit de l'alcade Ordonne de jeter en prison Tous les donneurs de sérénade, Que les malandrins couperont ta chaîne d'or Et que la fille de l'Almirante Pour qui vainement tu te tourmentes Se moque de toi derrière son mirador?
Text Authorship:
- by René Chalupt (1885 - 1957)
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Where are you going, you who pass so late [at night] Through the deserted streets of Salamanca With your black cap and your guitar Which you hide under you coat? The curfew [bell] has already sounded [and] For awhile [now], in their peaceful houses, The bourgeois have been sleeping soundly. Don’t you know that the edict of the alcayde Orders to be thrown into prison All singers of serenades, [And] that bandits [are waiting to] cut your golden chain And that the admiral’s daughter Over whom you vainly torment yourself Mocks you [hidden] behind her balcony [windows]?
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 René Chalupt (1885 - 1957)
Go to the general single-text view
Translator's notes:
This poem shares its name with a picaresque novel of the same title from 1738 by French novelist M. Alain René Le Sage (1668-1747, author of Gil Blas).
Line 2: Salamanca -- This well-preserved northwestern Spanish city has one of the world’s oldest universities and an historic Plaza Major in the city center, with shadowy arcades and galleries.
Line 7: the French idiom translates literally to sleep "with closed fists"
Line 8: "alcayde" : The governor or commander of a Spanish fortress or prison, from Arabic اَلْقَائِد [al-qāʾid, leader]
Line 10: "singers" -- literally, the "givers" or "squealers" of serenades
Line 11: "golden chain" could refer to an actual chain of gold worn as an ornament, or poetically, to Homer’s "chain of gold" (from the 8th book of the Iliad) that binds heaven and earth, and which every mortal can climb if he wishes to reach the gods (so metaphorically, cutting this chain would take away your ability to get to heaven)
This text was added to the website: 2016-01-01
Line count: 14
Word count: 97
Les jets d'eau dansent des sarabandes Sur l'herbe parfumée des boulingrins; Il y a des rumeurs de soie dans le jardin Et de mystérieuses présences. Sur le marbre rose d'une margelle Trois tourterelles Se sont posées, Comme sur tes lèvres trois baisers; Leurs plumes s'effeuillent dans le bassin. Les fleurs fraîches des marronniers Neigent lentement sur tes seins Et font frissonner ta chair nue, Car tu es nue Sous ton manteau Et c'est pour toi que les jets d'eau Dansent de sveltes sarabandes, Que le parc est plein de présences Et que les tourterelles blanches, Comme de vivantes guirlandes, Viennent fleurir au bord de l'eau.
Text Authorship:
- by René Chalupt (1885 - 1957)
Go to the general single-text view
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
The jets of water dance sarabandes Over the fragrant grass of the bowling green; There are rumors of silk in the garden And of mysterious spirits. On the rose-colored marble of the fountain’s edge Three turtledoves Have landed On your lips, like three kisses; Their plumage falls into the water. The fresh blossoms of chestnut trees Drift down slowly like snowflakes on your breast And send shivers down your naked limbs, For you are wearing nothing Under your coat And it's for you that the jets of water Dance thin sarabandes, That the park is full of spirits And that the white turtledoves, Like living garlands, Throng to blossom at the water’s edge.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (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 René Chalupt (1885 - 1957)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-09
Line count: 20
Word count: 113