Saturday, February 12, 2011

Antinoüs. Hervé Cristiani



Play the golden cymbals, let Caesar pass

May the pages cry their honey tears,
The gods are tired of inhabiting the heavens
May the feast commence, may the Nubians dance,
May the wines from Chaldea bring forgetfulness

Antinoüs, Antinoüs, your sleeping slave
Antinoüs, Antinoüs, you cannot forget

Play the golden cymbals, let Caesar pass

By the leather and iron and the eagles from Rome
You have conquered Earth and subjected men
All the barbaric princes who are at your feet
Have not the power to make you forget

Antinoüs, Antinoüs, your sleeping slave
Antinoüs, Antinoüs, you cannot forget

In the marble statues and the changes in the empire
In the whisper of trees, there is his smile
By the imperial purple that covers your body
By the song of the Vestals, he will live on

Antinoüs, Antinoüs, your sleeping slave
Antinoüs, Antinoüs, you cannot forget

Play the golden cymbals, let Caesar pass.


Here is a link to more information regarding the life and times of
Antinoüs

Hervé Cristiani from his CD album Antinoüs

Translator unknown.

10 comments:

Tiago Braga said...

thanks for the visit :D
very beautiful post, this one!

dianne said...

Thanks,you are most welcome dear Tiago , I have enjoyed my visits. :D
Yes, I think this is a very beautiful song, Hervé certainly has a wonderful voice and of course the French language is so beautiful.

xoxoxo ♡

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Dancing Nubians? Wine?

How does one get an invite to these dos?

dianne said...

I don't really know dear J Cosmo , but they sound like interesting feasts of Bacchanalian
proportions. ;)

xoxoxo ♡

darkfoam said...

hmmm, pretty young man...
rather dead and yet his tale lives on apparently..

dianne said...

Yes dear Foamy , he was a very pretty young man...
An extraordinary life, though short lived if you read the text but he made quite an impression while he lived, so his story is remembered.

xoxoxo ♡

Leovi said...

I love this magnificent poetry and splendid idea to put the video in its original French. Un abrazo.

dianne said...

Yes dear Leovi it is a beautiful song and video, especially with the French lyrics; thank you I am so pleased that you enjoyed it.

I tried to translate the lyrics myself but not with confidence, I found this translation elsewhere, I hope it is correct...I thought that the French word 'l'oubli' meant oblivion, not'forgetfulness'.

Hugs to you too!

xoxoxo ♡

puerileuwaite said...

I once had to call the doctor because I ate a Caesar salad that refused to pass.

dianne said...

That must have been uncomfortable Puglsey my sweet, maybe you should choose other salads in future.

xoxoxo ♡