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Gounod - Venise

Guitare

Liszt (1842)
Lalo (1855)

Comment, disaient-ils,
Avec nos nacelles,
Fuir les alguazils?
_ Ramez, disaient-elles!

Comment, disaient-ils
Oublier querelles,
Misère et périls?
_ Dormez disaient-elles!

Comment, disaient-ils,
Enchanter les belles,
Sans philtres subtils?
_ Aimez, disaient-elles!

Victor Hugo

Guitar

 
 

How, said the men,
with our skiffs,
can we flee the alguaciles?
_ Row, said the ladies!

How, said the men,
can we forget quarrels,
miseries and dangers?
_ Sleep, said the ladies!

How, said the men,
can we enchant the beautiful girls,
without subtle potions?
_ Love, said the ladies!

© translated by Christopher Goldsack

The setting of this text by Lalo is included in the Singing in French anthology and a score and accompaniment can be purchased from the site shop in several keys.

Singing in French Anthology

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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.

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