Francis Poulenc: Chansons gaillardes (Marcus Farnsworth)

THE FICKLE MISTRESS
My mistress is fickle
my rival fortunate;
if he takes her virginity,
she must have had two.
Let’s ride our luck
as long as it lasts!
DRINKING SONG
The kings of Egypt and Syria
wished to have their bodies embalmed
o last longer dead.
What folly!
So let’s drink as we wish,
we must drink and drink again.
So let’s drink throughout our life,
embalm ourselves before we die.
Embalm ourselves;
since this balm is sweet.
MADRIGAL
You are as beautiful as an angel,
gentle as a little lamb;
there is not a heart, Jeanneton,
that can resist your spell.
But a girl without tits
is a partridge without orange.
INVOCATION TO THE FATES
I swear, as long as I live,
to love you, Sylvie.
Fates, who hold in your hands
the thread of our life,
make mine as long as you can,
I pray.
BACCHIC VERSES
Throughout the livelong day
I’m sad and merry in turn.
When I see a flagon without wine
I’m sad, I’m sad,
when it’s brimful I’m merry.
Throughout the livelong day
I’m sad and merry in turn.
When I’m in bed with my wife,
I behave, I behave,
when I’m in bed with my wife,
I behave all night long.
If I’m in bed with a whore,
then I’m merry.
Ah! fair hostess, pour me some wine,
I’m merry, merry, merry.

Tags

Song Competition, Marcus Farnsworth, Poulenc, Chansons gaillardes, and Francis