THREE SONGS BY FRYDERYK CHOPIN
—Translations by Wilbur Skeels*)
(see octavo CQ2317)
Czary (Enchantment)
1. There must be a magic spell,
Something very strange is happening,
As my father told me well,
I do not know what I'm doing.
I do not know what I'm doing.
2. Everywhere and every moment,
By the river, in the dell,
There I see her face before me;
This must be a strong enchantment,
This must be a magic spell.
3. Whether calm and still the weather,
Or the trees with wind do tremble,
Everywhere her voice comes to me:
Oh, it's magic, strong enchantment,
It's a magic, magic spell.
4. All day long I think about her,
Every night she's there as well;
Sleeping, waking, always with me.
Surely this is strong enchantment,
Surely it's a magic spell.
5. As we sing, I am so fearful,
Miss her more than I can tell.
Though it seems that I am cheerful,
Doubtless it's the strong enchantment;
Douubtless it's the magic spell.
6. Oh, the words she spake so sweetly,
To her home enticing me.
I was blind from her enchantment;
Never more I'll trusting be,
No, never more I'll trusting be.
7. But the plan I have is clever:
Gather herbs by moonlight bright;
Cast my own spell, and she'll never
Leave till she becomes my wife,
No, never leave till she's my wife!
[Original in Polish by Stefan Witwicki.]
Hulanka (Drinking Song)
1. Little cutie, you're a beauty,
But for heaven's sake!
While you're flirting you are squirting
Wine all o'er my cape!
2. There's no way you will not pay,
I'll kiss you till I tire!
For your eyes that shine and your lips divine
Set my blood on fire!
3. Come on lad and don't be sad,
Let brooding to the devil go!
Deink up quickly, for this sickly
World is full of woe.
4. On a jagger you may stagger,
What's the shame in that?!
If your wife cries you won't realize,
Passed out on the mat.
5. Drink up now or feel my power;
Hey, lass, over here!
Just be nice to us, don't entice us,
Pour us all a beer!
[Original in Polish by Stefan Witwicki.]
Piosnka litewska (Lithuanian Song)
Early one morning when the sun was rising,
Mama beside her glass window was there set.
"From where, my daughter, are you now returning?
Where have you been that your garland is so wet?"
"One must get up very early,
Fetch the water in the darkness.
It's not surprising dew is on my garland."
"A made-up story! I know surely
You went out early
So you could meet with your sweetheart.
Right?!"
Truly, my mother, I don't want to lie,
I went out to the field to see my sweetheart.
Only for a little while we talked together,
And meanwhile dewdrops settled on my garland."
[Original in Polish by Ludwik Osinski.]* © Copyright, Cantus Quercus Press, 2004. All rights reserved.
Return to catalog page.