Sagesse - poem by Paul Verlaine - Song for alto and guitar

Sagesse
Poem by Paul Verlaine
Music (including English singing translation) - for alto and guitar - composed and performed by David W Solomons
published by Musik Fabrik
The score is available from:
http://tinyurl.com/sagesse3
(http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=8121381)

(The bird song and church bells are optional!)

Le ciel est par dessus le toit si bleu si calme
un arbre par dessus le toit berce sa palme
la cloche dans le ciel qu'on voit
doucement tinte
un oiseau sur l'arbre qu'on voit
chante sa plainte.
Mon Dieu mon Dieu, la vie est là, simple et tranquille.
Cette paisible rumeur là vient de la ville.
Qu'as-tu fait, oh toi que voilà
pleurant sans cesse,
dis, qu'as-tu fait de ta jeunesse?




The sky above the eaves is blue, is blue and calm
a tree in spreading leaves sways its arms
the church bell in the sky
softly rings
a bird perched in the tree
bitter sweet sings.
My God, true life is there
simple serene!
Far away gentle bustle of the town scene.
Oh what have you done, consumed by tears,
say what have you done
with your young years?
Translation © David W Solomons


Image collage created from photographs taken from wikimedia

contrejour photo of church: Luke Roberts
portrait of Verlaine: Gustave Courbet
sparrow: Arjun
prison cell: Yuma

The Music is also available as a duet (Sagesse) for flute and guitar:

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=8121393

and as a recorder quartet (Après Paul):
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=8121223

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sagesse
• verlaine
• solomons
• alto
• guitar
• musik fabrik
• original music
• english translation
• french poetry
• prison
• longing
• lost youth
• regret
• wisdom

[SigMaQuint]

Maybe I'll take this into my repertoar.. A friend suggested that I do.

[dwsolo]

@SigMaQuint Excellent. I'd love to hear a recording :-)

[ThierryCABOT]

Salué par les dieux, tu fais couler, Verlaine,

Toute une aube perlante exquise à contre-jour.

Tes vers semblent jaillir d’un écheveau de laine

Pour chatouiller nos cœurs de friselis d’amour.

Un poète contemporain