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Sous le grand chapeau Greenaway, Mettant l'éclat d'un sourire, D'un rire charmant et frais De baby étonné qui soupire, Little girl aux yeux veloutés, C'est la Diva de l'Empire. C'est la rein' dont s'éprennent Les gentlemen Et tous les dandys De Piccadilly. Dans un seul "yes" elle mettant de douceur Que tous les snobs en gilet à coeur, L'accueillant des hourras frénétiques, Sur la scène lancent des gerbes de fleurs, Sans remarquer le rire narquois De son joli minois. Elle danse presque automatiquement Et soulève, oh très pudiquement, Ses jolis dessous de fanfreluches, De ses jambes montrant le frétillement. C'est à la fois très très innocent Et très très excitant.
Authorship:
- by Charles Bessat dit Numa Blès  [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Dominique Bonnaud  [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Alfred Erik Leslie Satie (1866 - 1925), "La Diva de l'Empire", 1904. [ sung text verified 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Korin Kormick) , "The Diva of the Empire", copyright © 2001, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-06
Line count: 22
Word count: 110
Under the great hat Greenaway, Showing the burst of a smile, Of a laugh charming and fresh Of a surprised baby who sighs, Little girl with velvety eyes, It's the Diva of the Empire. It's the queen of whom become enamoured The gentlemen And all the dandys Of Piccadilly. In only a "yes" she puts so much sweetness That all the snobs in waistcoats to heart, Welcome her with frenetic hurrahs, On the stage toss wreaths of flowers, Without noticing the mocking laugh Of her sweet little face. She dances almost automatically And lifts up, oh very modestly, Her underthings of frills and furbelows, Of her legs showing the quivering. It is at the same time very very innocent And very very exciting.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2001 by Korin Kormick, (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 Bessat dit Numa Blès and by Dominique Bonnaud
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-06
Line count: 22
Word count: 124