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by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941)
Translation by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941)

Why do you whisper so faintly in my...
Language: English  after the Bangla (Bengali) 
Why do you whisper so faintly in my ears, O Death, my Death?
When the flowers droop in the evening 
and cattle come back to their stalls, 
you stealthily come to my side and speak words
that I do not understand.
Is this how you must woo and win me 
with the opiate of drowsy murmur 
and cold kisses, O Death, my Death?

Will there be no proud ceremony for our wedding?
Will you not tie up with a wreath your tawny coiled locks?
Is there none to carry your banner before you,
and will not the night be on fire 
with your red torch-lights, O Death, my Death?

Come with your conch-shells sounding, 
come in the sleepless night.
Dress me with a crimson mantle, grasp my hand and take me.
Let your chariot be ready at my door
with your horses neighing impatiently.
Raise my veil and look at my face proudly, O Death, my Death!

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

  • by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941), no title, appears in The Gardener, no. 81 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Based on:

  • a text in Bangla (Bengali) by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941) [text unavailable]
    • Go to the text page.

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

    [ None yet in the database ]

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Hans Gál.
    • Go to the text.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-02-07
Line count: 19
Word count: 157

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