Fun Facts:
1) This song is the third in a series of five songs written in 1891 called "Chansons de Venise."
2) This song is written to invoke the sight and feeling of somebody rushing in from the cold bearing many gifts for someone.
3) The text is based on a poem by Verlaine also titled "Green."
"Here - some fruit, some flowers, some leaves and branches,
And here - my heart which beats for you alone.
Do not rend it with your two pale hands,
But let it be a small gift, sweet to your beauteous eyes.
I arrive covered with dew,
Which the morning wind freezes upon my brow.
Suffer me in my fatigue to lie at your feet,
Dreaming of sweet moments that will revive me.
On your young bosom let my head rest,
Still filled with your last kisses;
Let my thoughts subside after such a wondrous storm
And let me sleep a little while you lie by my side."
Voici des fruits, des fleurs, des feuilles et des branches
Here are some fruit, some flowers, some leaves and some branches
Et puis voici mon coeur qui ne bat que pour vous.
And then here is my heart whit not beats but for you.
Ne le déchirez pas avec vos deux mains blanches
Not it rip-up ever with your two hands White
Et qu'à vos yeux si beaux l'humble présent soit doux.
And that to your eyes so beautiful the humble gift be it sweet.
J'arrive tout couvert encore de rosée
I arrive all covered still with dew
Que le vent du matin vient glacer à mon front.
Which the wind of the morning made freeze on my brow.
Souffrez que ma fatigue à vos pieds reposée
Allow that my fatigue at your feet resting
Rêve des chers instants qui la délasseront.
Dream of the dear moments which it refreshes.
Sur votre jeune sein laissez rouler ma tête
On your young breast allow me to rest my head
Toute sonore encor de vos derniers baisers;
All ringing still with your last kisses;
Laissez-la s'apaiser de la bonne tempête,
Let it calm down from the good tempest,
Et que je dorme un peu puisque vous reposez.
And let me sleep a little since you are resting.