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The Old Box
Translations © by Laura Prichard
Song Cycle by André Caplet (1879 - 1925)
View original-language texts alone: Le vieux coffret
1. Songe
Language: French (Français)
Je voudrais t'emporter dans un monde nouveau Parmi d'autres maisons et d'autres paysages Et là, baisant tes mains, contemplant ton visage, T'enseigner un amour délicieux et nouveau, Un amour de silence, d'art et de paix profonde: Notre vie serait lente et pleine de pensées, Puis, par hasard, nos mains un instant rapprochées Inclineraient nos coeurs aux caresses profondes, Et les jours passeraient, aussi beaux que des songes, Dans la demi clarté d'une soirée d'automne, Et nous diront tout bas, car le bonheur étonne: Les jours d'amour sont doux quand la vie est un songe.
Text Authorship:
- by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "Songe", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 1, Éd. G. Crès, Paris, first published 1912
See other settings of this text.
by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915)
1. Dream
Language: English
I would like to transport you into a new world Among other houses and other landscapes and there, kissing your hands, contemplating your face, Teach you a love delicious and new, A love of silence, of art and of profound peace: Our life would be slow and full of thoughts, Then, by chance, our hands clasping in an instant Might incline our hearts to profound caresses, And the days would pass, as beautiful as the dreams, In the half light of an autumn evening, And we would keep our voices low, because happiness can be surprised: The days of love are sweet when life is a dream.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Prichard, (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 Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "Songe", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 1, Éd. G. Crès, Paris, first published 1912
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 107
Translation © by Laura Prichard
2. Berceuse
Language: French (Français)
Viens vers moi quand tu chantes, amie, j'ai des secrets Que tu liras toi-même au reflet de mes yeux. Viens, entoure mon cou de tes bras, viens tous près Et ton coeur entendra des mots silencieux. Viens vers moi quand tu rêves, amie, j'ai des paroles Dont le murmure seul est comme une douceur. Elles imposent l'oubli, le doute, elles désolent, Et pourtant leur musique enchante la douceur. Viens vers moi quand tu ris, amie, j'ai des regards Très longs qui vont porter la peur au fond de l'âme. Viens, ils transperceront ton coeur de part en part Et tu sentiras naître en toi une autre femme. Viens vers moi quand tu pleures, amie, j'ai des caresses Qui captent les sanglots amers au bord des lèvres Et feront de ton amertume une allégresse: Amie, viens boire une âme nouvelle sur mes lèvres.
Text Authorship:
- by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "Berceuse", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 2, Paris, Éd. G. Crès, first published 1912
Go to the general single-text view
by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915)
2. Lullaby
Language: English
Come to me when you sing, friend, I have secrets That you will recognize in the reflection of my eyes. Come, wrap your arms around my neck, draw near And your heart will hear silent words. Come to me when you dream, friend, I possess words Whose only murmur is like honey. They impose forgetfulness, doubt, they afflict, And still their music enchants the ache. Come to me when you laugh, friend, I have long looks that will conjure fear in the depths of your soul. Come, they’ll pierce your heart through and through And you will feel another woman rise up in you. Come to me when you cry, friend, I have caresses That can capture bitter sobs from lips And transform bitterness into a joyful tone: Friend, come drink a new soul from my lips.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Prichard, (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 Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "Berceuse", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 2, Paris, Éd. G. Crès, first published 1912
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 16
Word count: 137
Translation © by Laura Prichard
3. In una selva oscura
Language: French (Français)
La lumière est plus pur et les fleurs sont plus douces, Le vent qui passe apporte des roses lointaines, Les pavés sous nos pieds deviennent de la mousse, Nous aspiront l'odeur des herbes et des fontaines. Un printemps nous enveloppe de son sourire, Entre nous et le bruit un rideau de verdure Tremble et chatoie, nous protège et soupire, Cependant que notre âme s'exalte et se rassure. O vie! Fais que ce léger rideau de verdure Devienne une forêt impénétrable aux hommes Où nos coeurs, enfermés dans sa fraicheur obscure, Soient oubliés du monde, sans plus penser au monde!
Text Authorship:
- by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "In una selva oscura", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 3, Paris, Éd. G. Crès
Go to the general single-text view
by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915)
3. In a dark forest
Language: English
The light is purer and the flowers smell sweeter, the passing wind carries the smell of distant roses, The cobblestones beneath our feet dissolve into foam/moss, We breathe in the odor of herbs and fountains. Spring’s smile envelops us, Separating us from noise, a green curtain Shakes and shimmers, protects us and sighs, Whiles our lifeblood grows excited and feels reassured. O life! May this soft curtain of greenery Become an impenetrable forest to mankind Where our hearts, enclosed in dark coolness, May be forgotten by the worlde, without any thoughts of the world!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Prichard, (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 Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "In una selva oscura", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 3, Paris, Éd. G. Crès
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 94
Translation © by Laura Prichard
4. Forêt
Language: French (Français)
Ô Forêt, toi qui vis passer bien des amants Le long de tes sentiers, sous tes profonds feuillages, Confidente des jeux, des cris, et des serments, Témoin à qui les âmes avouaient leurs orages. Ô Forêt, souviens-toi de ceux qui sont venus Un jour d'été fouler tes mousses et tes herbes, Car ils ont trouvé là des baisers ingénus Couleur de feuilles, couleur d'écores, couleur de rêves. Ô Forêt, tu fus bonne, en laissant le désir Fleurir, ardente fleur, au sein de ta verdure. L'ombre devint plus fraîche: un frisson de plaisir Enchanta les deux coeurs et toute la nature. Ô Forêt, souviens-toi de ceux qui sont venus Un jour d'été fouler tes herbes solitaires Et contempler, distraits, tes arbres ingénus Et le pâle océan de tes vertes fougères.
Text Authorship:
- by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "Fougères", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 4, Paris, Éd. G. Crès, first published 1912
Go to the general single-text view
by Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915)
4. Forest
Language: English
Oh Forest, you who saw the passing of many lovers Along your paths, under your heavy foliage, Confidant of games, of cries, and of oaths, Witness to whom souls confessed their troubles. Oh Forest, remember those who came One day in summer to walk on your moss and grass, For there they found naïve kisses The color of leaves, the color of bark, the color of dreams. Oh Forest, you were right, to let desire Bloom, [like a] flaming blossom, within your greenery. The shade grew cooler: a shudder of pleasure Enchanted the two hearts and all of nature. Oh Forest, remember those who came One day to walk alone on your grass And to contemplate, distracted, your dream-like trees And the pale ocean of your green ferns.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Prichard, (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 Rémy de Gourmont (1858 - 1915), "Fougères", appears in Divertissements, in 6. Le vieux coffret, no. 4, Paris, Éd. G. Crès, first published 1912
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 16
Word count: 128
Translation © by Laura Prichard