The Garden of Caresses

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Denise Aignerelle-Féru (b. 1933)

View original-language texts alone: Le jardin des caresses

1. Résignation  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Pendant que je te parlais, 
l'ombre d'une fleur de magnolia s'est posée sur tes genoux.
Elle était si lourde, que tu ne m'écoutais plus !
Tu la berçais comme tu aurais bercé l'enfant 
qui serait né de notre amour, 
si nous avions pu nous aimer.

Et je te regardais bercer l'ombre de cette fleur immense.

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le Jardin des Caresses, 73e édition, Paris : L'édition d'art H. Piazza, 1921, p.80

Note: the final sentence in the source text duplicates the word de, which appears at both the end of one line and the beginning of the next. There is no grammatical or apparent poetic reason for this duplication; rather, it is an instance of a copyist's or typesetter's error known as dittography, which is particularly common at line breaks.

by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
1. Resignation
Language: English 
While I was talking to you,
the shadow of a magnolia blossom settled on your lap.
It was so heavy that you no longer listened to me!
You cradled it as you'd have cradled the child 
who would have been born of our love,
if we'd been able to love each other.

And I watched you rock the shadow of that enormous flower.

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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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2026-02-17
Line count: 7
Word count: 63

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. La gazelle blessée  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
La gazelle blessée pleure lorsqu'elle va mourir.
Lorsqu'une torche va s'éteindre, sa flamme devient paisible. 
Et toi, à quel moment as-tu conscience de ton destin ? 

Est-ce quand tu pleures, est-ce quand tu souris ?

Text Authorship:

Based on:

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris: H. Piazza, 1919, p.33.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
2. The Wounded Gazelle
Language: English 
The wounded gazelle weeps when she is about to die.
When a torch is about to go out, its flame becomes calm.
And you, when do you become aware of your destiny?

Is it when you weep, is it when you smile?

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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Translations of titles:
"La gazelle blessée" = "The Wounded Gazelle"
"Sur la mort" = "On Death"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-25
Line count: 4
Word count: 42

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Le silence  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
N'interroge pas le mendiant qui te demande l'aumône.
Ne questionne pas la femme qui a prononcé, en dormant, 
des paroles d'amour. 
Ne réponds pas à celui qui insulte ton ennemi.
Ne dis jamais : « Quel silence ! » 
Dis : « Je n'entends pas. »

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Jardin de Caresse, Edition 73, Paris : H. Piazza, p.33


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
3. Silence
Language: English 
Do not interrogate the beggar who asks you for alms. 
Do not question the woman who has spoken, while sleeping,
words of love. 
Do not reply to anyone who insults your enemy. 
Never say, "What silence!" 
Say, "I cannot hear."

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:

Go to the general single-text view

Translations of titles:
"Le silence" = "Silence"
"Sur le Silence" = "On Silence"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-25
Line count: 6
Word count: 40

Translation © by Grant Hicks