15 chants sur des poèmes d'Emily Dickinson

Translations © by Guy Laffaille

Song Cycle by Gloria Coates (b. 1938)

View original-language texts alone: 15 Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson

1. After great pain
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
The stiff Heart questions 'was it He, that bore,'
And 'Yesterday, or Centuries before'?

The Feet, mechanical, go round –
A Wooden way
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone –

This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow –
First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
1. Après une grande douleur
Language: French (Français) 
Après une grande douleur, un sentiment formel arrive --
les Nerfs s'assoient cérémonieusement, comme des Tombes --
Le Cœur raide demande « était-ce Lui, qui a supporté »,
Et « Hier, ou des Siècles avant » ?

Les Pieds, mécaniquement, tournent --
Sur un chemin de Bois,
Sur la Terre, dans l'Air, ou N'importe où --
Devenus indifférents,
Satisfaction de Quartz , comme une pierre --

C'est l'Heure de Plomb --
Dans le souvenir, si on survit,
Comme des personnes qui Gèlent, se souviennent de la Neige --
D'abord -- le Froid -- puis la Stupeur -- puis le lâcher prise --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "After great pain" = "Après une grande douleur"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 13
Word count: 90

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
2. I held a jewel in my fingers
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
I held a jewel in my fingers
And went to sleep.
The day was warm, and winds were prosy;
I said: "'T will keep."

I woke and chid my honest fingers, -
The gem was gone;
And now an amethyst remembrance
Is all I own.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
2. Je tenais un Joyau dans mes doigts
Language: French (Français) 
Je tenais un Joyau dans mes doigts --
Et j'allais dormir --
Le jour était tiède , et les vents étaient ennuyeux --
Je dis « il restera » --

Je m'éveillais -- et grondais mes doigts honnêtes,
La Gemme était partie --
Et maintenant, un souvenir d'Améthyste
Est tout ce que je possède --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "I held a jewel in my fingers" = "Je tenais un Joyau dans mes doigts"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
3. Wild nights! Wild nights!
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Wild nights! -- Wild nights!
Were I with thee,
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile -- the Wind --
To a heart in port, --
Done with the Compass, --
Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden --
Ah! the Sea!
Might I but moor -- Tonight --
In thee!

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
3. Nuits sauvages - Nuits sauvages !
Language: French (Français) 
Nuits sauvages - Nuits sauvages !
Si j'étais avec toi
Les nuits sauvages seraient
Notre luxe !

Vains - les Vents -
Pour un Cœur dans un port -
Fini avec la Boussole -
Fini avec la Carte !

Ramant dans l'Éden -
Ah - la Mer !
Si je pouvais m'amarrer - ce soir -
En toi !

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2010 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of "Wild nights! Wild nights!" = "Nuits sauvages - Nuits sauvages !"


This text was added to the website: 2010-07-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 45

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
4. Mine by the right of the white election
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Mine by the right of the white election!
Mine by the royal seal!
Mine by the sign in the scarlet prison
Bars cannot conceal!

Mine, here in vision and in veto!
Mine, by the grave's repeal
Titled, confirmed, - delirious charter!
Mine, while the ages steal!

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
4. À moi -- par le Droit de l'Élection Blanche !
Language: French (Français) 
À moi -- par le Droit de l'Élection Blanche !
À moi -- par le Sceau Royal !
À moi -- par le signe de la prison Écarlate --
Les Barreaux -- ne peuvent la cacher !

À moi -- ici -- en Vision -- et par Veto !
À moi -- par l'Annulation de la Tombe --
Titrée -- Confirmée --
Charte délirante !
À moi --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "Mine by the right of the white election" = "À moi -- par le Droit de l'Élection Blanche !"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 9
Word count: 50

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
5. A word is dead
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.
I say it just
Begins to live - that day.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
5. Un mot est mort
Language: French (Français) 
Un mot est mort, quand il est dit
Certains disent --
Je dis qu'il commence juste à vivre
Ce jour-là.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "A word is dead" = "Un mot est mort"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 4
Word count: 19

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
6. I'm nobody
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us - don't tell!
They'd advertise, you know.

How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell one's name the livelong June
To an admiring bog!

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
6. Je ne suis Personne
Language: French (Français) 
Je ne suis Personne ! Qui êtes-vous ?
Êtes-vous - Personne - aussi ?
Alors nous formons la paire !
Ne le dites pas ! ils l'annonceraient - vous savez !

Comme c'est lugubre - d'être - Quelqu'un !
Comme c'est embêtant - comme une Grenouille -
De dire son nom - tout au long de Juin -
À un marais admiratif !

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2010 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "I'm nobody" = "Je ne suis Personne"


This text was added to the website: 2010-08-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 46

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
7. Vitality begun
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
A death blow is a life blow to some,
Who till they died, did not alive become.
Who had they lived, had died but when
They died, vitality begun.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
7. La Vitalité commença
Language: French (Français) 
Un coup Mortel est un coup Vivant pour Certains
Jusqu'à ce qu'ils meurent, n'ont pas vécu --
Qui s'ils avaient vécu -- seraient morts mais quand
Ils moururent, la Vitalité commença --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "Vitality begun" = "La Vitalité commença"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 4
Word count: 29

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
8. Bride of the Holy Ghost
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Given in marriage unto Thee
Oh thou celestial host,
Bride of the Father and the Son
Bride of the Holy Ghost.
Other betrothal shall dissolve
Wedlock of will, decay,
Only the keeper of this ring
conquer mortality.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
8. Épouse du Saint-Esprit
Language: French (Français) 
Donnée en Mariage à Toi
Oh, toi Hôte Céleste --
Épouse du Père et du Fils
Épouse du Saint-Esprit --

D'autres fiançailles se dissoudront --
Des Mariages désirés, tomberont en ruines --
Seule la Gardienne de cet Anneau
Vainc la Mortalité --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "Bride of the Holy Ghost" = "Épouse du Saint-Esprit"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 8
Word count: 37

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
9. In falling timbers buried
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
In falling timbers buried
There breathed a man.
Outside the spades were plying,
The lungs within.

Could he know they sought him,
Could they know he breathed,
Horrid sand partition,
Neither could be heard.

Never slacked the diggers,
But when spades had done,
Oh reward of anguish,
It was dying then.

Many things are fruitless,
'Tis a baffling earth,
But there is no gratitude
Like the Grace of death.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
9. Enterré sous des poutres tombées
Language: French (Français) 
Enterré sous des poutres tombées --
Là respirait un Homme --
Dehors -- les pelles -- s'agitaient --
Les Poumons -- dedans --

Pouvait-Il -- savoir -- qu'ils Le cherchaient --
Pouvaient-ils -- savoir -- qu'Il respirait --
Horrible Séparation de Sable --
Aucun -- ne pouvait être entendu --

Jamais les Terrassiers ne se relâchaient --
Mais quand les pelles finirent --
Oh, Récompense de l'Angoisse,
Il mourait -- Alors --

Beaucoup de Choses -- sont vaines --
C'est une Terre Déconcertante --
Mais il n'y a aucune Gratitude
Comme la Grâce -- de la Mort --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "In falling timbers buried" = "Enterré sous des poutres tombées"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 16
Word count: 73

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
10. On the death of a child
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Now I lay thee down to sleep,
I pray the Lord thy dust to keep,
and if thou live before thou wake,
I pray the Lord thy soul to make.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
10. Sur la mort d'un enfant
Language: French (Français) 
Maintenant je te couche pour Dormir --
Je prie le Seigneur de veiller sur ta Poussière --
Et si tu vis avant de t'éveiller --
Je prie le Seigneur de faire ton Âme --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "On the death of a child" = "Sur la mort d'un enfant"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
11. Armistice
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
They dropped like flakes,
They dropped like stars,
Like petals from a rose,
When suddenly across the June
A wind with fingers goes.

They perished in the seamless grass
No eye could find the place,
But God can summon every face
Of His repealless list.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
11. Armistice
Language: French (Français) 
Ils tombaient comme des Flocons --
Ils tombaient comme des étoiles --
Comme des Pétales d'une Rose --
Quand soudain en Juin
Un Vent avec des doigts -- vient --

Ils périrent dans l'Herbe sans couture --
Aucun œil ne put trouver l'endroit --
Mais Dieu peut convoquer chaque visage --
Sur sa Liste -- sans Annulation.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "Armistice" = "Armistice"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 9
Word count: 48

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
12. Bind me ‑ I still can sing
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Bind me -- I still can sing
Banish -- my mandolin
Strikes true within --.

Slay -- and my Soul shall rise
Chanting to Paradise --
Still thine.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
12. Attache-moi - Je peux encore chanter
Language: French (Français) 
Attache-moi - Je peux encore chanter -
Exile-moi - ma mandoline
Sonne juste - à l'intérieur -

Tue-moi - et mon Âme montera
En chantant au Paradis -
Encore tienne -

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2010 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "Bind me - I still can sing" = "Attache-moi - Je peux encore chanter"


This text was added to the website: 2010-07-20
Line count: 6
Word count: 23

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
13. I've seen a dying eye
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
I've seen a dying eye
Run round and round a room
In search of something, as it seemed,
Then cloudier become;
And then, obscure with fog,
And then be soldered down,
Without disclosing what it be,
’T were blessed to have seen.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
13. J'ai vu un Œil Mourant
Language: French (Français) 
J'ai vu un Œil Mourant
Tourner tout autour de la Chambre --
À la recherche de Quelque chose -- comme il semblait --
Puis devenir plus trouble --
Et puis -- s'obscurcir avec une Brume --
Et puis -- être soudé
Sans divulguer ce qui aurait
Été béni d'être vu --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "I've seen a dying eye" = "J'ai vu un Œil Mourant"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 8
Word count: 43

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
14. If I can stop one heart from breaking
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
14. Si je peux arrêter un Cœur de se briser
Language: French (Français) 
Si je peux arrêter un Cœur de se briser
Je ne vivrai pas en vain
Si je peux soulager la Douleur d'une Vie
Ou apaiser une Souffrance
Ou aider un Merle évanoui
À regagner son Nid à nouveau
Je ne vivrai pas en vain.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2016 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "If I can stop one heart from breaking" = "Si je peux arrêter un Cœur de se briser"


This text was added to the website: 2016-04-13
Line count: 7
Word count: 44

Translation © by Guy Laffaille
15. Will there really be a morning?
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Will there really be a morning?
Is there such a thing as day?
Could I see it from the mountains
If I were as tall as they?

Has it feet like water-lilies?
Has it feathers like a bird?
Is it brought from famous countries
Of which I have never heard?

Oh, some scholar! Oh, some sailor!
Oh, some wise man from the skies!
Please to tell a little pilgrim
Where the place called morning lies!

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
15.
Language: French (Français) 
Y aura-t-il vraiment un "matin" ?
Y-a-t-il quelque chose comme un "Jour" ?
Pourrais-je le voir depuis les montagnes
Si j'étais aussi grande qu'elles ?

A-t-il des pieds comme des Nénuphars ?
A-t-il des plumes comme un Oiseau ?
L'a-t-on apporté de pays renommés
Dont je n'ai jamais entendu parler ?

Oh, un Érudit ! Oh, un Marin !
Oh, un Homme Sage venu des cieux !
S'il vous plaît, dites à une petite Pèlerine
Où l'endroit nommé "matin" se situe !

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to French (Français) copyright © 2009 by Guy Laffaille, (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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Translation of title "Will there really be a morning" = "Y aura-t-il vraiment un matin ?"


This text was added to the website: 2009-11-15
Line count: 12
Word count: 72

Translation © by Guy Laffaille