Nuages, nuages, que vous êtes loin!
Nuages, nuages, que je suis las,
Et sur vos seins, à la peau blanche
Je voudrais tant me reposer!
Nuages, nuages, que je vous aime!
Nuages, nuages, que vous êtes beaux!
Pour qui donc mettez-vous ces robes
De satin vert, de velours rose?
Nuages, nuages, comme je vous aime.
...
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-2 of the original text.
Notes provided by Laura Prichard about the song by Alexandre Georges: Eighteen years after the beginning of the novel, the tarot cards have revealed to La Vougne that her granddaughter will one day be queen of a Romani tribe. Miarka prepares for this role by learning sacred stories, songs, and rituals.
The poetic text in the preface to Georges’ complete score is preceded with this introduction:
"Oui, oui," faisait Miarka, "Cela est beau, grand-mère, je ne dis pas non. Mais il y a dans le livre bien d’autres chansons encore plus belles. Celle des Nuages, par exemple, qui est si triste." Et les yeux au ciel, comme si elle s’adressait aux nuages eux-mêmes, d’une voix douce comme un murmure d’eau courante, Miarka chantait la chanson." (Roman page 141)
["Yes, yes," said Miarka, "That's beautiful, Grandma, I won't say no. But there are many other even more beautiful songs in the book.
The one about the Clouds, for example, is so sad." And looking up at the sky, as if addressing the clouds themselves, in a voice as soft as the murmur of running water, Miarka sang this song.]
Composition:
Set to music by Frederick Delius (1862 - 1934), "Nuages", 1893, stanzas 1-2 [ high voice and piano ]
Text Authorship:
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Stanfield Prichard) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Laura Stanfield Prichard
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2017-06-01
Line count: 28
Word count: 170
Clouds, clouds, how distant you are!
Clouds, clouds, how tired I am,
And on your breast, on your white skin
I’d really like to rest!
Clouds, clouds, how I love you!
Clouds, clouds, how beautiful you are!
For whom do you dress yourself in those gowns
Of green satin, of pink velvet?
...
