This is Fauré’s most popular song, and one of his earliest (Op. 7, No. 1, 1865). Romain Bussine’s text is a French adaptation of an anonymous Italian poem.
After a dream
In a sleep which your image charmed
I dreamed of happiness, ardent mirage;
your eyes were sweeter, your voice pure and ringing,
you shone like a sky lit up by the dawn.
You were calling me and I was leaving the earth to flee with you towards the light;
the skies parted their clouds for us, unknown splendours, divine half-seen gleams…
Alas! Alas! Sad awakening from dreams!
I call on you, o night, give me back your deceits;
come back, come back resplendent, come back, o mysterious night!
