Text & Translation
Sinitsa, (La Mesange)
Russian source:
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev
Sred zheltejushchikh vetvej...
Zdravstvuj, malenkaja ptitsa,
Vestnista osennikh dnej!
Khot grozit on nam nenastem,
Khot zimy on nam prorok,
Dyshit blagodatnym schastem
Tvoj veselyj golosok.
V pesenke tvoej privetnoj
Slukh plenen uzheli zh moj
Lish prirody bezotvetnoj
Ravnodushnoju igroj?
Il bespechno raspevajet
I v tebe okhota zhit –
Ta, chto ljudjam pomogajet
Smert i zhizn perenosit?
The Blue Tit
English translation ©
Philip Ross Bullock
Amidst the branches’ yellowing hues…
Greetings, little bird,
Herald of autumnal days!
Even though it augur inclement weather,
Even though it be the prophet of winter,
Your cheery little voice
Radiates blissful happiness.
Can it be that in your little song of greeting,
My ear is captivated
By nothing more than the indifference
Of unresponsive nature?
Or does your artless descant
Express the will to live –
Which helps people
To endure both life and death?
Sinitsa, (La Mesange)
Russian source:
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev
The Blue Tit
English source:
Philip Ross Bullock
Slyshu ja: zvenit sinica
I hear the chirruping of the blue tit
Sred zheltejushchikh vetvej...
Amidst the branches’ yellowing hues…
Zdravstvuj, malenkaja ptitsa,
Greetings, little bird,
Vestnista osennikh dnej!
Herald of autumnal days!
Khot grozit on nam nenastem,
Even though it augur inclement weather,
Khot zimy on nam prorok,
Even though it be the prophet of winter,
Dyshit blagodatnym schastem
Your cheery little voice
Tvoj veselyj golosok.
Radiates blissful happiness.
V pesenke tvoej privetnoj
Can it be that in your little song of greeting,
Slukh plenen uzheli zh moj
My ear is captivated
Lish prirody bezotvetnoj
By nothing more than the indifference
Ravnodushnoju igroj?
Of unresponsive nature?
Il bespechno raspevajet
Or does your artless descant
I v tebe okhota zhit –
Express the will to live –
Ta, chto ljudjam pomogajet
Which helps people
Smert i zhizn perenosit?
To endure both life and death?
Composer
Pauline Viardot
Pauline Viardot, née Garcia (1821-1910) was one of the most remarkable, accomplished musical professionals of the 19th century. Born into a family of music professionals, she wanted to be a pianist, but following the early death of her sister…
