Texts & Translations
G.F. Handel (1685-1759): Rejoice Greatly (Messiah)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Rejoice, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Savior, and he shall speak peace unto the heathen. (from Zechariah 9:9-10)
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Quia respexit
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dixent omnes generationes.
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Green
Voici des fruits, des fleurs, des feuilles et des branches
Et puis voici mon cœur qui ne bat que pour vous.
Ne le déchirez pas avec vos deux mains blanches
Et qu’vos yeux si beaux l’humble présent soit doux.
J’arrive tout couvert encore de rosée
Que le vent du matin vient glacer à mon front.
Souffrez que ma fatigue, à vos pieds reposée,
Rêve des chers instants qui la délasseront.
Sur votre jeune sein laissez rouler ma tête
Toute sonore encore de vos derniers baisers;
Laissez-la s’apaiser de la bonne tempête,
Et que je dorme un peu puisque vous reposez.
- Paul Verlaine (1844–1896)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Am See
In des Sees Wogenspiele
Fallen durch den Sonnenschein
Sterne, ach, gar viele, viele,
Flammend leuchtend stets hinein.
Wenn der Mensch zum See geworden,
In der Seele Wogenspiele
Fallen aus des Himmels Pforten
Sterne, ach, gar viele, viele.
- Franz Seraph Ritter von Bruchmann (1798-1867)
from the Magnificat – Song of Mary
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden
Behold, all generations shall call me blessed.
- Traditional
Green (from Watercolor Paintings)
Here are some fruits, flowers, leaves, and branches,
And then here is my heart, that only beats for you.
Don’t tear them up with your white hands –
They are a sweet humble gift for your beautiful eyes.
I’m coming back covered again with dew
That the morning wind sent onto my forehead.
Be patient with my tiredness as I rest at your feet,
Dreaming of a sweet time when I can relax with you.
Let me rest my head on your young breast,
Still echoing from the last time we kissed;
Let it be calmed from that sweet tempest,
And let me rest a little while you rest.
- trans. ©2016 Rachel Evangeline Barham
On the Lake
When the sun shines on the lake,
Stars – so many –
Fall through the sunshine and onto the playing waves,
Blazing and shining.
Likewise, when humans become like a lake,
Stars – so many –
Will fall out of heaven’s gates
Into the wave-play of the soul.
- trans. ©2017 Rachel Evangeline Barham