Three Mélodies

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Marguerite Marsat

View original-language texts alone: Trois mélodies

1. Promenade attristée  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Le lac [Nann-hou]1 berce la lune d'automne 
qui se reflète dans l'eau verte. 
Le bruit de mes rames a interrompu l'hymne d'amour 
que les nénuphars chantent à la lune.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade ; poésies chinoises, Paris : Piazza, 1926, page 80.

1 Canal: "Nan-hin"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
1. Sorrowful Walk
Language: English 
Lake Nann-hou rocks the Autumn moon 
which is reflected in its green waters.
The sound of my oars has interrupted the hymn of love
that the water lilies sing to the moon.

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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Translations of titles:
"Calme" = "Calm"
"La promenade attristée" = "The Sorrowful Walk"
"Promenade attristée" = "Sorrowful Walk"


This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 4
Word count: 33

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. 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.

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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. 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. Depuis qu'elle est partie  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Ne m'apportez plus de fleurs, 
mais de branches de cyprès 
où je plongerais mon visage ! 
Quand le soleil a disparu 
derrière les montagnes, 
je mets ma robe bleu 
aux manches légères, 
et je vais dormir
parmi les bambous qu'elle aimait.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, page 3.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
3. Since she went away...
Language: English 
Bring me no more flowers, 
but cypress branches 
for me to bury my face in! 
When the sun has disappeared 
behind the mountains, 
I put on my blue robe
with light sleeves 
and I go and sleep 
among the bamboo that she loved.

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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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 9
Word count: 43

Translation © by Grant Hicks