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

When I go alone at night to my...
Language: English  after the Bangla (Bengali) 
When I go alone at night to my love-tryst, 
birds do not sing, the wind does not stir, 
the houses on both sides of the street stand silent.
It is my own anklets that grow loud at every step 
and I am ashamed.

When I sit on my balcony and listen for his footsteps, 
leaves do not rustle on the trees, 
and the water is still in the river like the sword 
on the knees of a sentry fallen asleep.
It is my own heart that beats wildly -- 
I do not know how to quiet it.

When my love comes and sits by my side, 
when my body trembles and my eyelids droop, 
the night darkens, the wind blows out the lamp, 
and the clouds draw veils over the stars. 
It is the jewel at my own breast 
that shines and gives light. 
I do not know how to hide it.

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

Based on:

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

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-11-05
Line count: 18
Word count: 151