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Three Christmas Songs
Song Cycle by Frank Martin (1890 - 1974)
View original-language texts alone: Trois Chants de Noël
1. Les cadeaux
Language: French (Français)
J'ai vu trois rois sur le chemin Tous plus beaux les uns que les autres Ayant des cadeaux pleins les mains À côté des leurs Que seront les notres? Autant dire rien! Ils ont mis vers le petit prince La myrrhe l'or et l'encens Nos pauvres presents paraissaient bien minces Près des trésors de trois provinces Il a regardé les bijoux Nous restions sans rien dire Puis il a regardé vers nous Et son premier sourire fut pour nous
by Albert Rudhardt (1894 - 1944)
1. The gifts
Language: English
I saw three kings on the road, Each finer than any other, Their hands laden with gifts. In contrast to theirs what will ours be? You could say, nothing! They laid before the little prince Myrrh, gold and frankincense. Our poor presents looked very poor Next to the three sovereigns. He looked at the jewels We said nothing Then he looked at us And his first smile was for us.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2016 by Geneviève Usher, (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 Albert Rudhardt (1894 - 1944)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2016-07-09
Line count: 14
Word count: 70
Translation © by Geneviève Usher
2. Image de Noël
Language: French (Français)
L'enfant Jesus des images Le beau bébé rose et blanc Tend ses deux poings vers les mages Ou vers un berger tremblant Le boeuf sans cérémonie Rumine en grondant un peu Et la Vierge en manteau bleu Sourit à la compagnie
by Albert Rudhardt (1894 - 1944)
2. A picture of Christmas
Language: English
Baby Jesus as depicted, a baby pink and fair Stretches both his fists towards the Magi and a trembling shepherd, The ox, unceremoniously, chews, lowing softly And the virgin in a blue cloak smiles at the assembled company.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by Geneviève Usher, (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 Albert Rudhardt (1894 - 1944)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2016-07-09
Line count: 7
Word count: 38
Translation © by Geneviève Usher
3. Les bergers
Language: French (Français)
Il n'était pas encor minuit Que la nouvelle étoile a lui Pour éclairer la terre; Puis soudain le ciel s'entrouvrit, Et vêtus de lumière, On pouvait voir en Paradis Tous les anges réunis En prière. Par les déserts, marchant pieds nus, Tous les bergers étaient venus Jusqu'à la pauvre hutte. Ils amusaient l'Enfant Jésus Avec des airs de flûte. Les anges chantaient: Gloria! Et les pâtres: Hosanna! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
by Albert Rudhardt (1894 - 1944)
3. The shepherds
Language: English
It wasn’t yet midnight when a new star lit the earth for him. Suddenly the sky was bathed in light, You could see all the angels in paradise united in prayer. Every shepherd had come to the lowly stable, Walking barefoot through the deserts. They entertained baby Jesus playing their flutes. The angels sang: Gloria! And the shepherds: Hosanna! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © by Geneviève Usher, (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 Albert Rudhardt (1894 - 1944)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2016-07-09
Line count: 9
Word count: 63
Translation © by Geneviève Usher