Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
La nuit est bleue et chaude, et le calme infini... Roulé dans son manteau, le front sur une pierre, Joseph dort, le coeur pur, ayant fait sa prière, Et l'âne à ses pieds est comme un humble ami. Entre les pieds du Sphynx appuyée à demi, La vierge pâle et douce, à fermé la paupière; Et, dans l'ombre, une étrange et suave lumière Sort du petit Jésus dans ses bras endormi. Autour d'eux le désert songe mysterieux; Et tout est si tranquille a cette heure, en ces lieux Qu'on entendrait l'enfant respirer sous ses voiles. Nul souffle... La fumée immobile du feu Monte ainsi qu'un long fil se perd dans l'air bleu... Et le Sphynx éternel atteste les étoiles.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Albert Victor Samain (1858 - 1900), "Le Repos en Égypte", appears in Le chariot d'or, in 1. La symphonie héroïque, in 1. Évocations, no. 10, Paris, Éd. du Mercure de France, first published 1901 [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 René-Emmanuel Baton (1879 - 1940), as Rhené-Baton, "Le Repos en Égypte", op. 18 (Deux Mélodies) no. 2 (1910), published 1912 [ medium voice and piano ], Éd. Durand [sung text not yet checked]
- by René Chansarel (1864 - 1945), "Le Repos en Égypte", published 1921 [ medium voice and piano ], from Douze poëmes chantés, no. 5, Éd. E. Demets (Max Eschig) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Philippe Gaubert (1879 - 1941), "Le Repos en Égypte", published 1910 [ medium voice and piano ], Éd. Enoch & Cie [sung text not yet checked]
- by Gabriel Pierné (1863 - 1937), "Nuit divine", published 1905 [ reciter, piano, violin ], from Trois adaptations musicales sur des vers, no. 2, Éd. Joanin [sung text not yet checked]
- by Ottorino Respighi (1879 - 1936), "Le repos en Egypte", P. 97 no. 3, published 1912 [ medium voice and piano ], from Sei Liriche, seconda serie, no. 3, Éd. Ricordi [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Charles Tournemire (1870 - 1939), "Le repos en Egypte", op. 32 no. 3 (1908), from Poème, no. 3 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Nathalie Paulin) , copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Il riposo in Egitto", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 119
The night is blue and warm, its calm is infinite... Wrapped up in his coat, his tired head resting on a stone, Joseph is sleeping with a pure heart, having said his prayers; And the donkey at his feet is like a humble friend. Between the Sphinx's paws, half-leaning, The virgin, pale and sweet, has closed her eyes; And in the shade, a strange and gentle light Glows from baby Jesus in her arms. Around them, the desert, a mysterious dream; And all is so quiet, at this time, in this place, That one can hear the child breathe under her veils. No wind... The fire's thin smoke Spirals up, like a long thread, losing itself in the sky... And the eternal sphinx watches over the stars.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translation of title "Le repos en Egypte" = "The rest in Egypt"Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2008 by Nathalie Paulin, (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:
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Albert Victor Samain (1858 - 1900), "Le Repos en Égypte", appears in Le chariot d'or, in 1. La symphonie héroïque, in 1. Évocations, no. 10, Paris, Éd. du Mercure de France, first published 1901
This text was added to the website: 2008-10-07
Line count: 14
Word count: 127