Dans l'air s'en vont les ailes,
Par le vent caressées;
Mes errantes pensées
S'envolent avec elles.
Aux cieux pleins d'étincelles,
Vers la nue élancées,
Dans l'air s'en vont les ailes,
Par le vent caressées.
Vers des terres nouvelles,
Sur les rayons bercées,
Vous fuyez, dispersées,
O blanches colombelles;
Dans l'air s'en vont les ailes!
Into the air the wings take flight,
caressed by the wind;
my wandering thoughts
fly off with them.
To the heavens, full of sparks,
thrown towards the cloud,
into the air the wings take flight,
caressed by the wind.
Towards new lands,
cradled upon the rays,
you flee, dispersed,
o little white doves;
into the air the wings take flight!
© translated by Christopher Goldsack
Please be aware that some of the original French texts on this site are still in copyright. The translations are offered here for study purposes.
Students and not-for-profit events are always welcome to use the transaltions for their programmes free of charge. I am however glad to be told when they are being used! Send me an email and do share the site with friends and colleagues! If seeking to use them for commercial purposes please also consider making a small donation towards the upkeep of the site:
© 2020 The Mélodie Treasury