English translation of Adieu (Complainte)

by Jules Massenet (1842 - 1912), "Adieu (Complainte)", op. 14 no. 8 [ voice and piano ], from Poème d'avril, no. 8, note: the first stanza is spoken, also set in German (Deutsch)

Note: this is a translation of one multi-text setting.

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Nous nous sommes aimés trois jours ;
Trois jours elle me fut fidèle.
- Trois jours! - La constance éternelle 
Et les éternelles amours !

 ...

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Je pars ! Adieu, ma chère âme,
Garde bien mon souvenir !
-- Quoi ! si tôt partir, madame
Ne devez-vous revenir ?

-- Si -- je reviendrai peut-être ;
Si -- bien sûr je reviendrai ...
Va m'attendre à la fenêtre ;
De plus loin te reverrai.

J'attendis à la fenêtre
Le retour tant espéré,
Mais, ni bien sûr, ni peut-être,
Ni jamais la reverrai!

Bien fol qui croit quand une dame
Lui jure de revenir.
Je meurs ! -- Adieu, ma chère âme !
J'ai gardé ton souvenir.

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Confirmed with Armand Silvestre, Rimes neuves et vieilles, Paris, E. Dentu, 1866, pages 76-77.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Armand Silvestre (1837 - 1901)
We were lovers for three days.
For three days she was faithful.
Three days: that's eternal constancy,
eternal love!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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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Note: this is a translation of the spoken introduction to Massenet's song, which sets only the first stanza.


I'm off! Good-bye, my dear,
remember me well!
- What? Leaving so soon, madam?
Won't you be returning?

- Yes, perhaps I will.
Yes, of course I'll be back.
Wait for me at the window;
I'll see you from a distance.
 
I waited at the window
for her hoped-for return.
But neither "of course" nor "perhaps"
nor ever will I see her again!

When a woman swears she'll return,
only a foolish man believes her.
I'm dying! Good-bye, my dear!
Yes, I've remembered you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2002 by Peter Low, (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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Translation © by Peter Low