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Six Poems of Jean Cocteau
Song Cycle by Arthur Honegger (1892 - 1955)
View original-language texts alone: Six Poésies de Jean Cocteau
Le nègre mineur de l'azur que jamais pleuvoir ne mouille pâlit courbé dans la houille bleue et brute du soleil dur Case de l'oncle Tom, les rampes et les herses du théâtre jadis me firent voyager Loin de notre jardin de banlieue où l'averse fait fleurir l'Arcenciel aux couleurs sans danger.
Text Authorship:
- by Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), no title, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, in Températures, no. 2, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
The little black one in the blue world which the rain never soaks, grows pale, bent over, down in the coal, made raw and insensible by the brutal sun Uncle Tom's cabin, seen past the railings and metal gates of theaters in days of yore, took me on a journey Far from our garden in the suburbs where the downpour makes bloom the Rainbow's colors, with no fear of danger.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2024 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 Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), no title, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, in Températures, no. 2, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Le nègre" = "The black one"Translator's note for stanza 2, line 4 ("makes bloom"): half-rhyme of and reference to common phrase "fait pleurer" meaning "to make cry"
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 70
Fraîche comme une rose Sage comme une image Votre cœur en forme de cœur C'est bien rare ! Franc comme l'or Rosa la rose Toutes les roses perdent leurs joues sur le tapis, combien de masques ? Je suis pâle comme la mort.
Text Authorship:
- by Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Locutions", written 1920, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Fresh as a rose Good as gold Your heart In the form of a heart That's very rare! Frank as gold Rosa the rose All the roses lose their cheeks On the carpet, how many masks? I am pale as death.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by Victoria de Menil, (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 Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Locutions", written 1920, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 10
Word count: 42
Pendant la nuit, une rose Avance sous feux éteints. S'il arrivait quelque chose, Elle attendra le matin. Les noix, ta mère les dore, Pour ton arbre de Noël. Souliers au bord de l'aurore... Ils apprivoisent le ciel. Jadis, l'enfance chérie, Voyageait, allumant des Liverpool de féerie, Splendides à regarder. Une moustiquaire en tulle Comme la neige on y meurt, Surtout, si l'étoile brûle Les ailes du ramoneur.
Text Authorship:
- by Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Souvenirs d'enfance", written 1920, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Paris, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
In the night a rose moves forward, all the lights off, If something happened It would wait until morning Your mother paints the nuts gold For your Christmas tree Shoes on the edge of dawn They tame the sky Before, the treasured childhood Travelled lighting up Liverpools of fairies Splendid to look at A mosquito net Like snow, you die there, Especially if the star burns The wings of the chimney sweep.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by Victoria de Menil, (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 Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Souvenirs d'enfance", written 1920, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Paris, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 73
Autour de la Sainte Vierge il fait chaud ce sont les cierges On se trouve toujours heureux Dans un vase de loterie bleu Dessus le prénom des morts Est inscrit en lettres d'or.
Text Authorship:
- by Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Ex-voto", written 1920?, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
All around the Blessed Virgin it is warm it's the candles One feels totally fortunate To see this prized blue vase Upon it, the names of the dead Are inscribed in letters of gold.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2024 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 Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Ex-voto", written 1920?, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-10
Line count: 6
Word count: 34
Le crabe sort sur ses pointes Avec ses bras en corbeille; Il sourit jusqu'aux oreilles. La danseuse d'Opéra, Au crabe toute pareille, Sort dans la coulisse peinte En arrondissant les bras.
Text Authorship:
- by Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Une danseuse", written 1920, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Paris, Éd. de la Sirène, first published 1920
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Crabs go out on their toes With their arms rounded They smile from ear to ear An opera dancer Just like a crab Goes out of the wings painted Rounding her arms.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by Victoria de Menil, (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 Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), "Une danseuse", written 1920, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Paris, Éd. de la Sirène, first published 1920
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 7
Word count: 33
O Madame voilà ce qu'il faudrait comprendre vous me dites toujours que vous aimez le beau le beau qui ça ? le beau Léandre...
Text Authorship:
- by Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), written 1920?, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Oh Madam, here, this is what should be understood you're always telling me that you love beauty so which beauty? the handsome Léandre...
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2024 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 Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963), written 1920?, appears in Poésies 1917-1920, Éd. La Sirène, first published 1920
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-10
Line count: 6
Word count: 23