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(Translation of an old Chanson)
BEHIND the Manor lies the mere, | |
| En roulant ma boule; | |
| Three ducks bathe in its water clear, | |
| En roulant ma boule. | |
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| Rouli, roulant, ma boule roulant, | 5 |
| En roulant ma boule, roulant, | |
| En roulant ma boule. | |
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| Three fairy ducks swim without fear: | |
| The Prince goes hunting far and near. | |
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| The Prince at last draws near the lake: | 10 |
| He bears his gun of magic make. | |
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| With magic gun of silver bright, | |
| He sights the Black but kills the White. | |
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| He sights the Black but kills the White: | |
| Ah! cruel Prince, my heart you smite. | 15 |
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| Ah! cruel Prince, my heart you break, | |
| In killing thus my snow-white Drake. | |
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| My snow-white Drake, my Love, my King; | |
| The crimson life-blood stains his wing. | |
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| His life-blood falls in rubies bright, | 20 |
| His diamond eyes have lost their light. | |
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| The cruel ball has found its quest, | |
| His golden bill sinks on his breast. | |
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| His golden bill sinks on his breast, | |
| His plumes go floating East and West. | 25 |
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| Far, far they’re borne to distant lands, | |
| Till gathered by fair maidens’ hands; | |
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| Till gathered by fair maidens’ hands, | |
| And form at last a soldier’s bed. | |
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| And form at last a soldier’s bed, | 30 |
| En roulant ma boule. | |
| Sweet refuge for the wanderer’s head, | |
| En roulant ma boule. | |
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| Rouli, roulant, ma boule roulant, | |
| En roulant ma boule, roulant, | 35 |
| En roulant ma boule. | |
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