Le Retour (Lili Boulanger)

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• (Posted 2026-01-25)  CPDL #88195:   

Editor: Andrew Hathaway (submitted 2026-01-25).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 219 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Le Retour
Composer: Lili Boulanger
Lyricist: Georges Delaquys^{create page}
Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: Unknown
Genre: Secular, Art song

Language: French
Instruments: Piano

First published: 1918
Description: 

Original text and translations

French text Ulysse part la voile au vent, Vers Ithaque aux ondes chéries, Avec des bercements la vague roule et plie. Au large de son coeur la mer aux vastes eaux Où son oeil suit les blancs oiseaux Egrène au loin des pierreries. Ulysse part la voile au vent, Vers Ithaque aux ondes chéries! Penché oeil grave et coeur battant Sur le bec d'or de sa galère Il se rit, quand le flot est noir, de sa colère Car là-bas son cher fils pieux et fier attend Après les combats éclatants, La victoire aux bras de son père. Il songe, oeil grave et coeur battant Sur le bec d'or de sa galère. Ulysse part la voile au vent, Vers Ithaque aux ondes chéries.

English text Ulysses sets out, sails to the wind, Towards Ithaca on beloved waves, Which rise and fall and sway. Before the open sea of his heart, the vast ocean, Where his eyes follow the white birds, Scatters in the distance precious jewels. Ulysses sets out, sails to the wind, Towards Ithaca on beloved waves. Leaning, with serious gaze and beating heart, On the golden prow of his boat, He laughs at his anger, when black waves threaten, For yonder his dear, devout and proud son awaits, After astounding victories, his triumphant father. He dreams, with serious gaze and beating heart, By the golden prow of his boat. Ulysses sets out, sails to the wind, Towards Ithaca on beloved waves.