Vallon sonore

Hylas' song from the opera Les Troyens

Text by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) after Virgil's Aeneid
Set by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

Hylas
Vallon sonore, où dès l'aurore
[va.lo s.n. u d l..]
Valley echoing, where since dawn
(Echoing valley, where since dawn)

Je m'en allais chantant, hélas!

[ m. na.l .t e.ls]
I did walk singing, alas!
(where once I walked and sang, alas,)

Sous tes grands bois chantera-t-il encore,

[su t  bwa .t.a.ti. l.k.]
beneath your great woods, will-he-sing again,
(will he ever sing again in your great woods,)

Le pauvre Hylas?
[l po. vi.ls]
the poor Hylas?

Berce mollement sur ton sein sublime,

[b.s m.l.m sy to s sy.bli.m]
Cradle gently on your breast sublime,
(Gently cradle against your sublime breast,)

Ô puissante mer, l'enfant de Dindyme!

[o pi.s.t m l.f d d.di.m]
oh powerful sea, the-child of Dindymia!

Fraîche ramée, retraite aimée

[f. a.me. .t. te.me.]
Cool branches, retreat beloved
(Cool branches, beloved retreat)

Contre les feux du jour, hélas!

[ko.t le fø dy u e.ls]
against the fires of day, alas!
(against the burning heat of the day, alas,)

Quand rendras-tu ton ombre parfumée

[k .da.ty to. no.b pa.fy.me.]
when restore-you your shade fragrant
(when will you restore your fragrant shade)

Vallon sonore (Les Troyens) Berlioz–Page 1 of 2

Au pauvre Hylas?
[o po. vi.ls]
to-the poor Hylas?

Berce mollement…

Humble chaumière, où de ma mère

[œ.bl o.mj. u d ma m.]
Humble cottage, where from my mother

Je reçus les adieux.

[ .sy l. za.djø]
I received the farewells.
(I received her farewell.)

First Sentry
Il rêve à son pays...
[il . va so pe.i]
He dreams of his country…

Second Sentry
Qu'il ne reverra pas.
[kil n .v.a p]
that-he not will-see-again ever.
(that he will never see again.)

Hylas
Hélas! Reverra-t-il ton heureuse misère,
[e.ls .v.a.til to. nø.ø.z mi.z.]
Alas! will-see-again-he your happy poverty,
(Alas! Will he see again your happy poverty,)

Le pauvre Hylas?
[l po. vi.ls]
the poor Hylas?...

Berce mollement…

(Literal translation and IPA transcription © 2015 by Bard Suverkrop—IPA Source, LLC)

Vallon sonore (Les Troyens) Berlioz–Page 2 of 2