Gustave Nadaud



Gustave Nadaud (20 February 1820 – 1893) was a French songwriter and chansonnier.

Carcassonne, (c. 1887; with translation by John Reuben Thompson)

 * Je me fais vieux, j’ai soixante ans, J’ai travaillé toute ma vie, Sans avoir, durant tout ce temps. Pu satisfaire mon envie. Je vois bien qu’il n’est ici-bas De bonheur complet pour personne. Mon vœu ne s’accomplira pas: Je n’ai jamais vu Carcassonne!
 * Translated: I’m growing old, I’m sixty years; I’ve labored all my life in vain. In all that time of hopes and fears, I’ve failed my dearest wish to gain. I see full well that here below Bliss unalloyed there is for none My prayer would else fulfilment know — Never have I seen Carcassonne!
 * Stanza 1.


 * Yet could I these two days have spent, While still the autumn sweetly shone, Ah, me! I might have died content When I had looked on Carcassonne.
 * Stanza 2.


 * They tell me every day is there Not more nor less than Sunday gay; In shining robes and garments fair The people walk upon their way. One gazes there on castle walls As grand as those of Babylon, A bishop and two generals! What joy to be in Carcassonne! Ah! might I but see Carcassonne!
 * Stanza 3.


 * The vicar’s right; he says that we Are ever wayward, weak and blind; He tells us in his homily Ambition ruins all mankind;
 * Stanza 4.


 * Thy pardon, Father, I beseech, In this my prayer if I offend; One something sees beyond his reach From childhood to his journey’s end. My wife, our little boy Aignan, Have travelled even to Narbonne; My grandchild has seen Perpignan; And I — have not seen Carcassonne...
 * Stanza 5.