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Three Poems of Francis Jammes
Translations © by Grant Hicks
Song Cycle by Robert Bernard (1900 - 1971)
View original-language texts alone: Trois Poèmes de Francis Jammes
1. Une goutte de pluie [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français)
Une goutte de pluie frappe une feuille sèche, lentement, longuement, et c’est toujours la même goutte, et au même endroit, qui frappe et s’y entête… Une larme de toi frappe mon pauvre cœur, lentement, longuement, et la même douleur résonne, au même endroit, obstinée comme l’heure. La feuille aura raison de la goutte de pluie. Le cœur aura raison de ta larme qui vrille : car sous la feuille et sous le cœur, il y a le vide.
Text Authorship:
- by Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938), no title, appears in Clairières dans le ciel, in Poésies diverses, no. 3
See other settings of this text.
by Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938)
1. A Drop of Rain
Language: English
A drop of rain strikes a dry leaf, slowly, lingeringly, and it's always the same drop that strikes, and in the same spot, insistently... A tear of yours strikes my poor heart, slowly, lingeringly, and the same pain resonates, in the same spot, stubborn as the hour. The leaf will get the better of the raindrop. The heart will get the better of your piercing tear: for beneath the leaf and beneath the heart, there is emptiness.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2025 by Grant Hicks, (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 Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938), no title, appears in Clairières dans le ciel, in Poésies diverses, no. 3
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2025-05-26
Line count: 9
Word count: 77
Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. J'avais mis de l'air parfumé [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français)
J'avais mis de l'air parfumé Dans mon pipeau, l'air qu'on respire Lorsque l'acacia se mire À la source du mois de mai. Quand la jeune fille ramait, Je jouais et l'entendais rire De ce que je n'eusse une lyre Comme un poète renommé. Tout à coup elle fit silence Dans le bateau qui se balance ; Les bois commençaient de mourir, Elle écoutait ma flûte fruste Pousser encore le soupir Du printemps parmi les arbustes.
Text Authorship:
- by Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938), no title, written 1919, appears in La Vierge et les Sonnets, in 4. Sonnets pour finir, no. 1
Go to the general single-text view
by Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938)
2. I had put some scented air
Language: English
I had put some scented air In my pipe, the air one breathes When the acacia is reflected At the spring of the month of May. When the young girl paddled by, I was playing and heard her laugh At my not having a lyre Like a famous poet. Suddenly she fell silent In the swaying boat; The woods were starting to die, She listened to my rude flute Still breathing out the sigh Of Spring among the bushes.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2025 by Grant Hicks, (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 Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938), no title, written 1919, appears in La Vierge et les Sonnets, in 4. Sonnets pour finir, no. 1
Go to the general single-text view
Translations of titles:
"J'avais mis de l'air parfumé" = "I had put some scented air"
This text was added to the website: 2025-11-21
Line count: 14
Word count: 79
Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Maintenant, ô mon Dieu [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français)
Maintenant, ô mon Dieu, je sais que chaque chose porte en soi son Mystère et que Vous le savez. Ceci est un caillou, ceci est une rose, ceci est une femme et ceci un baiser. Mon Père approchez-vous. Maître, je Vous appelle. Inspirez-moi comme le vent qui fait pleurer, qui fait pleurer d'amour autour de la chapelle, pleurer comme la pluie le chagrin des lauriers !
Text Authorship:
- by Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938), no title, appears in Clairières dans le ciel, in L'Église habillée de feuilles, no. 11
See other settings of this text.
by Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938)
3. Now, O My God
Language: English
Now, O my God, I know that everything bears its Mystery within itself and that You know it. This is a pebble, this is a rose, this is a woman and this is a kiss. My Father, come near. Master, I call to you. Inspire me like the wind that makes us weep, that makes us weep for love around the chapel, weep like the rain for the grief of the laurels!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2025 by Grant Hicks, (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 Francis Jammes (1868 - 1938), no title, appears in Clairières dans le ciel, in L'Église habillée de feuilles, no. 11
Go to the general single-text view
Translations of titles:
"Maintenant, ô mon Dieu" = "Now, O My God"
This text was added to the website: 2025-11-22
Line count: 8
Word count: 72
Translation © by Grant Hicks