The Jade Flute

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Yves Ramette (1921 - 2012)

View original-language texts alone: La Flûte de jade, op. 17

1. L'orage favorable  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Je maudissais la pluie qui faisait résonner mon toit
et m'empêchait de dormir.
 
Je maudissais le vent qui saccageait mon jardin.
 
Mais tu es arrivée !
 
Et j'ai remercié la pluie, puisque tu as dû ôter ta robe mouillé,
et j'ai remercié le vent, qui venait d'éteindre ma lampe.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, page 31.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
1. The Favorable Storm
Language: English 
I cursed the rain that was pounding on my roof
and keepig me from sleeping. 

I cursed the wind that was destroying my garden.

But you arrived!

And I thanked the rain, since you had to take off your wet robe,
and I thanked the wind, which had just put out my lamp.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 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.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 6
Word count: 53

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. La dernière promenade  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Tu as laissé tomber dans la poussière
la tulipe rouge que je t'avais donnée.
Je l'ai ramassée.
Elle était devenue blanche.
En ce bref instant, il avait neigé sur notre amour.

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, page 23.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
2. The Last Stroll
Language: English 
You dropped in the dust
the red tulip I'd given you. 
I picked it back up. 
It had become white. 
In that brief instant, it had snowed on our love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 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: 

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Translations of titles:
"Dernière promenade" = "Last Stroll"
"La dernière promenade" = "The Last Stroll"



This text was added to the website: 2026-04-07
Line count: 5
Word count: 30

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Une chanson  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Une chanson, là-bas... C'est un mendiant.
Puisqu’il chante, ce vieillard  qui n’a jamais rien possédé,
pourquoi gémis-tu, toi qui as de si beaux souvenirs ?

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, page 82.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
3. A Song
Language: English 
A song, over there... It's a beggar.
Since he sings, this old man who has never possessed anything,
why do you moan, you who have such beautiful memories?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 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: 

Based on:

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 3
Word count: 28

Translation © by Grant Hicks