April Poem

Translations © by Peter Low

Song Cycle by Jules Massenet (1842 - 1912)

View original-language texts alone: Poème d'avril

1. Prélude
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Une rose frileuse, au cœur noyé de pluie,
Sur un rameau tremblant vient de s'épanouir,
Et je me sens repris de la douce folie
De faire des chansons et de me souvenir.

Les amours trépassés qui dormaient dans mon âme,
Doux Lazare sur qui j'ai tant versé de pleurs,
Soulèvent, en riant, leur suaire de fleurs,
Et demandent le nom de ma nouvelle dame.

Ma Mignonne aux yeux bleus, mets ta robe et fuyons,
Sous les bois remplis d'ombre et de mélancolie,
Chercher le doux remède à la douce folie.
-- Le soleil m'a blessé de ses premiers rayons !

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
1. Prelude
Language: English 
A delicate rose, with its heart full of rain,
has just opened on a trembling stem,
and I am gripped again by the sweet madness
of making songs and remembering!

The dead loves that lay dormant in my soul
(sweet Lazaruses on whom I've shed many tears)
laughingly lift up their shroud of flowers
and ask the name of my new lady.

Oh blue-eyed darling, put your dress on, let's run
away through the melancholy shady woods
to seek the sweet remedy for sweet madness.
- The sun has wounded me with its first rays!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 94

Translation © by Peter Low
2. Sonnet matinal
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Les étoiles effarouchées
Viennent de s'envoler des cieux :
J'en sais deux qui se sont cachées,
Mignonne, dans vos jolis yeux,

A l'ombre de vos cils soyeux
Et sous vos paupières penchées :
Attendez! -- mes baisers joyeux
Les auront bientôt dénichées !

Vous feignez de dormir encor :
Éveillez-vous, mon doux trésor !
L'aube pleure sous les feuillées,

Le ciel désert est plein d'ennui.
-- Ouvrez les yeux et rendez-lui
Les deux étoiles envolées !

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

First published in Rimes neuves et vieilles, Paris, Éd. E. Dentu, 1866.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
2. Morning sonnet
Language: English 
The frightened stars
have just flown from the sky.
And I know two of them which hid,
darling, in your pretty eyes,

shaded by your silky eyebrows
under your lowered lids.
Wait! my joyful kisses
will soon have ferreted them out!

You pretend to be still asleep.
Wake up, my treasure, my sweet!
- The dawn is weeping under the leaves.

The empty sky is full of boredom.
- Oh, open your eyes and restore to it
those two stars that flew away!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 81

Translation © by Peter Low
3. Voici que les grans lys
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Voici que les grans lys ont vêtu leur blancheur :
Sur les gazons tremblants l'aube étend sa fraîcheur !
-- C'est le printemps ! c'est le matin ! Double jeunesse.

Ma mie, en s'éveillant, m'a dit : « Le beau soleil !
Le temps est donc venu que tout charme renaisse.
Partout des chants ! Partout des fleurs ! Double réveil !»

Mais le tièdeur de l'air la rendant moins farouche,
Je me penchai vers elle et je posai ma bouche
Sur son front et sur ses cheveux, double trésor !

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
3. Now the large lilies
Language: English 
Now the large lilies have dressed in white,
and dawn spreads her freshness on the quivering lawn.
It is spring! It is morning! A double time of youth!

My darling, as she awoke, said: "What beautiful sunshine!
The time has come when all charms are reborn.
Songs everywhere! Flowers everywhere! A double awakening!"

Since the warmth of the air was making her less coy,
I leant over her and I placed my lips
on her forehead and her hair - oh, double treasure!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 9
Word count: 82

Translation © by Peter Low
4. Riez‑vous
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Riez-vous ? Ne riez-vous pas ?
Quand vous l'avez dit tout à l'heure,
Ce mot ! Vous l'avez dit si bas ! ...
Je n'ai pas compris, mais je pleure.
-- Riez-vous ? Ne riez-vous pas ?

Pitié ! votre bouche m'effleure.
Ce bruit ! Vous l'avez fait si bas !...
Si c'est un baiser, que je meure !
-- Riez-vous ? Ne riez-vous pas ?

Si c'est un baiser, que je meure !
Sur mon cou je sens votre bras ...
Vous m'avez baisé tout à l'heure !
Je n'ose y croire, mais je pleure.
-- Riez-vous ? Ne riez-vous pas ?

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
4. Are you laughing?
Language: English 
Are you laughing? Or aren't you?
When just now you said
that word - you spoke so softly -
I didn't understand, but I'm in tears.
Are you laughing? Or aren't you?

Have pity! Your lips brush against me;
that noise - you made it so softly -
if it's a kiss, oh may I die!
Are you laughing? Or aren't you?

If it's a kiss, oh may I die!
I feel your arm on my neck...
You kissed me a moment ago!
I don't dare believe it, but I'm in tears.
Are you laughing? Or aren't you?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 94

Translation © by Peter Low
5. Vous aimerez demain
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Le doux printemps a bu, dans le creux de sa main,
Le premier pleur qu'au bois laissa tomber l'aurore ;
Vous aimerez demain, vous qui n'aimiez encore,
Et vous qui n'aimiez plus, vous aimerez demain!
-- Le doux printemps a bu dans le creux de sa main.

Le printemps a cueilli, dans l'air, des fils de soie
Pour lier sa chaussure et courir par les bois ;
Vous aimerez demain pour la première fois,
Vous qui ne saviez pas cette immmortelle joie !
-- Le printemps a cueilli, dans l'air, des fils de soie.

Le printemps a jeté des fleurs sur le chemin
Que Mignonne remplit de son rire sonore ;
Vous aimerez demain, vous qui n'aimiez encore,
Et vous qui n'aimiez plus, vous aimerez demain!
-- Le printemps a jeté des fleurs sur le chemin.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
5. Tomorrow you will love
Language: English 
Sweet Springtime has drunk from the hollow of his hand
the first tear which dawn let fall in the woods.
Tomorrow you will love, you who've not yet been lovers;
and you whose love was over, tomorrow you will love!
Sweet Springtime has drunk from the hollow of his hand.

From the air Spring has gathered threads of silk
so as to lace his shoes and run through the woods.
Tomorrow you will love for the very first time,
you who did not know this immortal joy.
From the air Spring has gathered threads of silk.

Spring has strewn flowers along the path
which my darling fills with her sonorous laugh.
Tomorrow you will love, you who've not yet been lovers;
and you whose love was over, tomorrow you will love!
Spring has strewn flowers along the path.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2003-12-29
Line count: 15
Word count: 138

Translation © by Peter Low
6. Que l'heure est donc brève
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Que l'heure est donc brève,
Qu'on passe en aimant !
C'est moins qu'un moment,
Un peu plus qu'un rêve.

Le temps nous enlève
Notre enchantement.
Que l'heure est donc brève,
Qu'on passe en aimant!

Sous le flot dormant
Soupirait la grève ;
M'aimais-tu vraiment ?
Fût-ce seulement
Un peu plus qu'un rève ?...
-- Que l'heure est donc brève,
Qu'on passe en aimant !

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
6. How brief the hour
Language: English 
 How brief is the hour
 that we spend in loving!
 it's less than a moment,
 a little longer than a dream.
 
 Time takes away from us
 all our enchantments.
 How brief is the hour
 that we spend in loving!
 
 Under the sleeping waves
 the beach kept on sighing;
 Did you really love me?
 Did you, if only for
 a little longer than a dream?
 How brief is the hour
 that we spend in loving!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 15
Word count: 75

Translation © by Peter Low
7. Sur la source
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Sur la source elle se pencha;
La source doubla son image,
Et ce fut un charmant mirage,
Qu'un peu de vent effaroucha.

Sous les grands bois elle chanta :
L'oiseau doubla son chant sauvage,
Et ce fut un charmant ramage,
Que le vent lointain emporta.

Quand j'effleurai son doux visage,
Sa bouche ma bouche doubla...
Le vent peut balayer la plage,
Mignonne, que me fait l'orage ?
-- Ton baiser reste toujours là !

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
7. Over the pool
Language: English 
Over the pool she leant;
the pool mirrored her form -
it was a charming mirage,
which a gust of wind scared away.

Under the tall trees she sang;
a bird echoed her wild song -
it was a charming warbling,
which the wind carried off into the distance.

When I stroked her sweet face,
her mouth mimicked my mouth.
- Oh the wind may sweep the beach, darling,
but what do I care about the storm?
Your kiss stays for ever!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 13
Word count: 79

Translation © by Peter Low

 (The following is a multi-text setting.)

8. Adieu (Complainte) 
Nous nous sommes aimés trois jours ;
Trois jours elle me fut fidèle.
- Trois jours! - La constance éternelle 
Et les éternelles amours !

 ...

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Je pars ! Adieu, ma chère âme,
Garde bien mon souvenir !
-- Quoi ! si tôt partir, madame
Ne devez-vous revenir ?

-- Si -- je reviendrai peut-être ;
Si -- bien sûr je reviendrai ...
Va m'attendre à la fenêtre ;
De plus loin te reverrai.

J'attendis à la fenêtre
Le retour tant espéré,
Mais, ni bien sûr, ni peut-être,
Ni jamais la reverrai!

Bien fol qui croit quand une dame
Lui jure de revenir.
Je meurs ! -- Adieu, ma chère âme !
J'ai gardé ton souvenir.

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

View text with all available footnotes

Confirmed with Armand Silvestre, Rimes neuves et vieilles, Paris, E. Dentu, 1866, pages 76-77.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
8. Farewell (Lament)
We were lovers for three days.
For three days she was faithful.
Three days: that's eternal constancy,
eternal love!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

Note: this is a translation of the spoken introduction to Massenet's song, which sets only the first stanza.


I'm off! Good-bye, my dear,
remember me well!
- What? Leaving so soon, madam?
Won't you be returning?

- Yes, perhaps I will.
Yes, of course I'll be back.
Wait for me at the window;
I'll see you from a distance.
 
I waited at the window
for her hoped-for return.
But neither "of course" nor "perhaps"
nor ever will I see her again!

When a woman swears she'll return,
only a foolish man believes her.
I'm dying! Good-bye, my dear!
Yes, I've remembered you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


Translation © by Peter Low