English translations of Trois Mélodies, opus 12

by Jenő Hubay (1858 - 1937)

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1. J'eus toujours de l'amour  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jenő Hubay (1858 - 1937), "J'eus toujours de l'amour", op. 12 (Trois Mélodies) no. 1, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Cranz
Language: French (Français) 
J'eus toujours de l'amour pour les choses ailées. 
Lorsque j'étais enfant, j'allais sous les feuillées, 
J'y prenais dans les nids de tout petits oiseaux. 
D'abord je leur faisais des cages de roseaux 
Où je les élevais parmi des mousses vertes. 
Plus tard je leur laissais les fenêtres ouvertes. 
Ils ne s'envolaient point ; ou, s'ils fuyaient aux bois, 
Quand je les rappelais ils venaient à ma voix. 
Une colombe et moi longtemps nous nous aimâmes. 
Maintenant je sais l'art d'apprivoiser les âmes.

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by Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)
1.
[Translation not yet available]
2. Comment disaient‑ils  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jenő Hubay (1858 - 1937), "Comment disaient-ils", op. 12 (Trois Mélodies) no. 2, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Cranz
Language: French (Français) 
Comment, disaient-ils,
Avec nos nacelles,
Fuir les alguazils ?
-- Ramez, disaient-elles.

Comment, disaient-ils,
Oublier querelles,
Misère et périls ?
-- Dormez, disaient-elles.

Comment, disaient-ils,
Enchanter les belles
Sans philtres subtils ?
-- Aimez, disaient-elles.

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Confirmed with Oeuvres de Victor Hugo: Les rayons et les ombres, Volume 4, Paris, V. A. Houssiaux, ed., Hébert et Cie, 1875, pages 325-326.


by Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)
2. How then, asked he
Language: English 
"How then," asked he 
"By boat and tide
Alguazils flee?"
"Row," she replied.

"How then," asked he,
"To set aside
Strife, misery?"
"Sleep," she replied.

"How then," asked he, 
"Love's philtre denied,
Win fair beauty?"
"Love," she replied.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2000 by Faith J. Cormier, (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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 38

Translation © by Faith J. Cormier
3. Oh! Quand je dors  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jenő Hubay (1858 - 1937), "Oh! Quand je dors", op. 12 (Trois Mélodies) no. 3, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Cranz
Language: French (Français) 
Oh! quand je dors, viens auprès de ma couche, 
comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura,
Et qu'en passant ton haleine me touche... 
       Soudain ma bouche
       S'entrouvrira!

Sur mon front morne où peut-être s'achève
Un songe noir qui trop longtemps dura,
Que ton regard comme un astre se lève...
       [Soudain]1 mon rêve
       Rayonnera!

Puis sur ma lèvre où voltige une flamme,
Éclair d'amour que Dieu même épura,
Pose un baiser, et d'ange deviens femme...
       Soudain mon âme
       S'éveillera!

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1 Liszt: "Et soudain"

by Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)
3. Oh! when I sleep
Language: English 
Oh, when I sleep, approach my bed,
as Laura appeared to Petrach;
and as you pass, touch me with your breath...
at once my lips
will part!

On my glum face, where perhaps 
a dark dream has rested for too long a time,
let your gaze lift it like a star...
at once my dream
will be radiant!

Then on my lips, where there flits a brilliance,
a flash of love that God has kept pure,
place a kiss, and transform from angel into woman...
at once my soul
will awaken!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 15
Word count: 91

Translation © by Emily Ezust