by
Paul Verlaine (1844 - 1896)
Walcourt
Language: French (Français)
Available translation(s): ENG
Briques et tuiles,
Ô les charmants
Petits asiles
Pour les amants !
Houblons et vignes,
Feuilles et fleurs,
Tentes insignes
Des francs buveurs !
Guinguettes claires,
Bières, clameurs,
Servantes chères
À tous fumeurs !
Gares prochaines,
Gais chemins grands...
Quelles aubaines,
Bons juifs errants !
Note provided by Laura Prichard: In 1871, Verlaine met the poet Rimbaud, and then left his wife Mathilde for him, traveling together for three years. This poem [set in Walcourt, Belgium] describes their amorous adventures on the road.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Théotiste-Catule-Jérôme Carlin (1903 - 1952), "Walcourt", published 1943 [ voice and piano ], Paris, Théo-Carlin [sung text not yet checked]
- by Lucien Mawet (1875 - 1947), "Walcourt", published 1921 [ voice and piano ], Paris, L. Mawet [sung text not yet checked]
- by Georges (Jerzy) Nawrocki , "Walcourt", 1971/1972 [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Jósef-Zygmunt Szulc (1875 - 1956), "Walcourt", op. 83 (Dix mélodies sur des poésies de Verlaine) no. 2, published 1907 [ voice and piano ], Paris, Rouart Lerolle [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "Walcourt", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2012-02-04
Line count: 16
Word count: 45
Walcourt
Language: English  after the French (Français)
Bricks and tiles,
Oh, what charming
Little hidden refuges [they create]
For lovers!
Hops and vines,
Leaves and flowers,
Remarkable little bowers [can shelter]
For the serious drinker!
Brightly painted outdoor taverns,
Beers, cheers,
[Are brought by] well-paid waitstaff
To all the smokers!
Nearby railway stations,
Fine, wide streets...
What boons
To Wandering Jews!
Translator's note for Stanza 4, Line 4, "Wandering Jew" is a reference to the legendary shoemaker condemned to wander the Earth.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2023-09-01
Line count: 16
Word count: 54