Songs

Fleurs

by Francis Poulenc From Fiançailles pour Rire (1939) FP 101

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Text & Translation

Fleurs

This text is still in copyright.

Flowers
English translation © Richard Stokes

Promised flowers, flowers held in your arms,
Flowers from a step’s parentheses,
Who brought you these flowers in winter
Sprinkled with the sea’s sand?
Sand of your kisses, flowers of faded loves
Your lovely eyes are ashes and in the hearth
A moan-beribboned heart
Burns with its sacred images.

Translations by Richard Stokes, from A French Song Companion (Oxford, 2000)

Fleurs

Flowers
English source: Richard Stokes

This text is still in copyright.
Promised flowers, flowers held in your arms,

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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