Les Cloches (Claude Debussy)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Web Page
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2008-07-18)  CPDL #17549: 

Editor: David Newman (submitted 2008-07-18).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 144 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Editions in A Minor and C sharp Minor. English translation by Isabella G. Parker

General Information

Title: Les Cloches
Composer: Claude Debussy
Lyricist: Paul Bourget^{create page} (1852-1935)

Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: Soprano solo
Genre: Secular, Art song

Language: French
Instruments: Piano

First published: 1891 in Deux Romances, No. 1
Description: Original key is G flat Major.

External websites:

• Entry at the "Lied and Art Song Texts Page"
• English translation at the "Lied and Art Song Texts Page"
• Italian translation at the "Lied and Art Song Texts Page"
• German translation at the "Lied and Art Song Texts Page"

Original text and translations

French text Les feuilles s’ouvraient sur le bord des branches, délicatement. Les cloches tintaient, légères et franches, dans le ciel clément. Rythmique et fervent comme une antienne, ce lointain appel me remémorait la blancheur chrétienne des fleurs de l’autel. Ces cloches parlaient d’heureuses années, et, dans le grand bois, semblaient reverdir les feuilles fanées, des jours d’autrefois.

English translation singing translation by Isabella G Parker The leaves on the green boughs gently are swinging, op'ning silently The bells with their music airily ringing 'Neath the smiling sky Slowly breathing like an anthem of warning Afar through the air Bringing mem'ry sweet of lilies adorning Holy altar fair Those bells tell of happy years now o'ershaded And with solemn tone Once more they refresh the leaves that are faded, The years that are gone.