Songs

C'est ainsi que tu es

by Francis Poulenc From Métamorphoses (1943) FP121

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Translation

That is how you are
English translation © Richard Stokes

Your flesh, mingled with soul,
Your tangled hair,
Your feet pursuing time,
Your shadow which stretches
And whispers close to my temple.
There, that is your portrait,
That is how you are,
And I shall write it down for you
So that when night comes,
You may believe and say
That I knew you well.

Translation © Richard Stokes, from A French Song Companion (Oxford, 2000)

Composer

Francis Poulenc

Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (F7 January 1899 – 30 January 1963) was a French composer and pianist. His compositions include mélodies, solo piano works, chamber music, choral pieces, operas, ballets, and orchestral concert music. Read the full…

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