by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
Translation © by Grant Hicks

Nuit d'été
Language: French (Français)  after the Chinese (中文) 
Our translations:  ENG
Un vent léger fait murmurer les feuillages.
L'eau des pluies d'automne n'est pas plus pure que cette rosée
dont les perles brillent dans le gazon. 
Je me désole de ne pas apercevoir ces nénuphars rouges qui parfument la nuit.
Voici que résonne, sur les remparts, la trompette annonçant l'aube. 
Je pense à mon frère.
Je pleure.

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Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Grant Hicks) , "Summer Night", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2025-02-22
Line count: 7
Word count: 56

Summer Night
Language: English  after the French (Français) 
A light breeze makes the leaves rustle. 
The water of the Autumn rain is no purer than the dew
whose droplets are glistening on the lawn. 
I am sorry I cannot see the water lilies that perfume the night. 
Now on the ramparts the trumpet sounds to herald the dawn. 
I think of my brother. 
I weep.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-16
Line count: 7
Word count: 57