Description
Video:
This manuscript is the origin of the flute and guitar piece “To Marie” ( https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/19984390?aff_id=175705 ).
It has not been notated on computer, and not yet recorded, but I present it here just for interest. As you can see, it takes advantage of the many puns available on the French phrase for “weeping willow”.
It is addressed to the poet Marie Keyser.
The references to Chatterton, Enderby and Buddenbrooks relate to Marie’s studies in German literature, in particular Chatterton’s suicide.
To Marie
Sad soul, why don’t you weep in company?
Saule pleureur, seule pleureuse
Why luxuriate in your nomadic liturgy?
Saoule pluvieuse, seule pleureuse.
The others do not seek to understand
The power that holds you ever banned
Sales pleurs de sel pluvieux
A unicorn has carried off your innocence
Saule pleureur, seule pleureuse
But no ambition comes to conquer indigence
Saoule pluvieuse, seule pleureuse.
So on you wander, homeless poetess,
Begging shelter for your misconstrued distress
Sales pleurs de sel pluvieux.
Hold down a job, my girl,
hold down a job from nine to five.
Souple leurre s’il le peut
To keep you happy, settled and alive
Saule pleureur
For this short time – day in day out
Forget you do not know what life’s about
Sales pleurs de ciel plus vieux.
And then, when evening comes, too tired
Saule pleureur, seule pleureuse.
Your sad old inspiration all expired
Saoule pluvieuse, seule pleureuse.
You will cease to understand the power that held you forever banned.
Souple leurre s’il le peut.
No, in the name of Chatterton and Enderby!
For who could wilful poetry’s defender be?
Long live poor Buddenbrooks and poor Marie
With mind or body hopelessly at sea.
Saules pleureurs, seuls plus vieux.