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Tombez, ô perles dénouées, Pâles étoiles, dans la mer. Un brouillard de roses nuées Émerge de l'horizon clair ; À l'Orient plein d'étincelles Le vent joyeux bat de ses ailes L'onde que brode un vif éclair. Tombez, ô perles immortelles, Pâles étoiles, dans la mer. ... Fuyez, astres mélancoliques, Ô Paradis lointains encor ! L'aurore aux lèvres métalliques Rit dans le ciel et prend l'essor ; Elle se vêt de molles flammes, Et sur l'émeraude des lames Fait pétiller des gouttes d'or. Fuyez, mondes où vont les âmes, Ô Paradis lointains encor ! ... Heureux qui vous suit, clartés mornes, Ô lampes qui versez l'oubli ! Comme vous, dans l'ombre sans bornes, Heureux qui roule enseveli ! Celui-là vers la paix s'élance : Haine, amour, larmes, violence, Ce qui fut l'homme est aboli. Donnez-nous l'éternel silence, Ô lampes qui versez l'oubli !
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3,5 of the original text.
Composition:
- Set to music by Charlotte Devéria, née Thomas (1856 - 1885), "La Chute des étoiles", stanzas 1,3,5 [ high voice and piano ], from Vingt mélodies, 3ème recueil, no. 11, Éd. "Au Ménestrel", Heugel
Text Authorship:
- by Charles-Marie-René Leconte de Lisle (1818 - 1894), "La Chute des étoiles ", appears in Poèmes barbares
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Iain Sneddon) , "Falling Stars", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2016-01-16
Line count: 45
Word count: 223
Fall, like unravelling pearls, Pale stars, into the sea. A mist of pink cloud Emerges from the clear horizon; To the East, full of sparks The joyful breeze beats its wings A lacy wave gives a lightning flash. Fall, immortal pearls, Pale stars, in the sea. ... Escape, melancholy stars, To Paradise, still distant! The dawn with metallic lips Laughs in the sky and rises; She dresses herself in soft flames, And on the emerald of the waves Makes drops of gold sparkle. Flee, worlds where souls go, To Paradise, still distant! ... Happy those who follow you, limpid and dreary, Lamps that pour oblivion! Like you, in boundless shadow, Happy they who rest entombed! This one rushes towards peace: Hate, love, tears, violence, That which is of man is abolished. Give us eternal silence, Lamps that pour oblivion!
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3,5 of the original text.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2023 by Iain Sneddon, (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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Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Charles-Marie-René Leconte de Lisle (1818 - 1894), "La Chute des étoiles ", appears in Poèmes barbares
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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-13
Line count: 45
Word count: 231