Georges Bizet (1838-1875):
Pres des remparts de Séville (Séguedille)*
(from Carmen) (1873-74, premiered 1875)
Text: Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, after Prosper Merimée?s novel
Original Key/Recorded Key: B Minor
Teach-Track begins: m. 1
Accompaniment Track begins: m. 1
Pianist: Daniel Michalak
* The correct French spelling of this dance form is séguedille; the original Spanish spelling, seguidilla, is actually inappropriate within the context of the opera.
Notes © 1999 by Daniel O. Michalak
Pres des remparts de Séville,
Near the barricades of Seville,
Chez mon ami Lillas Pastia
By my friend Lillas Pastia
J'irai danser la Séguédille
I shall go dance the Seguidilla
Et boire du Manzanilla.
And drink some Manzanilla.
J'irai chez mon ami Lillas Pastia
I shall go by my friend Lillas Pastia
Oui, mais toute seule on s'ennuie,
Yes, but all alone one gets bored,
Et les vrais plaisirs sont a deux;
And the true pleasures are for two;
Donc, pour me tenir compagnie,
So, in order to me hold company,
So, to keep me company,
J'emmenerai mon amoureux!
I shall bring my lover!
Mon amoureux il est au diable,
My lover he is with the devil,
Je l'ai mis a la porte hier!
I him have put at the door yesterday!
Mon pauvre coeur tres consolable,
My poor heart very consolable,
Mon coeur est libre comme l'air!
My heart is free as the air!
J'ai des gallants a la douzaine,
I have (some) gallants by the dozen,
Mais ils ne sont pas a mon gré.
But they are not to my liking.
Voici la fin de la semaine:
Here is the end of the week:
Qui veut m'aimer? je l'aimerai!
Who wants me to love? I him shall love!
Qui veut mon âme? Elle est a prendre!
Who wants my soul? It is to take!
Vous arrivez au bon moment!
You arrive at the right moment!
Je n'ai guere le temps d'attendre,
I have hardly the time to wait,
Car avec mon nouvel amant,...
For with my new lover,...