All About Books discussion

Ici-bas tous les lilas meurent,
Tous les chants des oiseaux sont courts ;
Je rêve aux étés qui demeurent
Toujours...

Ici-bas les lèvres effleurent
Sans rien laisser de leur velours ;
Je rêve aux baisers qui demeurent
Toujours...

Ici-bas tous les hommes pleurent
Leurs amitiés ou leurs amours ;
Je rêve aux couples qui demeurent
Toujours...



HERE below the lilacs soon are past,
And the birds' sweet chanting soon is o'er;
I dream upon the Summer tides that last
Evermore.

Here below Time's fading touch is cast
O'er the lips soft velvet bloom of yore.
I dream upon the kisses that do last
Evermore.

Here below men's mourning tears fall fast
O'er the friendship days forever o'er.
I dream upon the friendships that do last
Evermore.

By Sully-Prudhomme, set to music by Faure
Mentioned by Proust in Sodom and Gomorrah, which is part of the yearly challenge group read.

And here it is sung beautifully though the recording is amateur the voice is WOW.
https://youtu.be/UtPFtr1MLP4

From Carnegie Hall Program notes:
"The sentimental poet’s dream of summer, kisses, and abiding love is gently counteracted by the tinge of melancholy in this music."