Au Claire de la Lune (2) English translation No. 1: Anonymous "At thy door I'm knocking, by the pale moonlight Lend a pen, I pray thee, I've a word to write Guttered is my candle, my fire burns no more For the love of heaven, open up the door!" Pierrot cried in answer by the pale moonlight "In my bed I'm lying, late & chill at night Yonder at my neighbour's, someone is astir Fire is freshly kindled, get a light from her." To the neighbour's house then, by the pale moonlight Goes our gentle Lubin to beg a pen to write "Who knocks there so softly?" calls a voice above "Open wide your door now for the God of Love!" Seek they pen and candle by the pale moonlight They can see so little since dark is now the night What they find while seeking, that is not revealed All behind her door is carefully concealed! English Translation No. 2: Dorothy H. Patterson, C 1988 "Underneath the moonlight, Pete my dearest friend Help me out this once, pal. Won't you lend your pen? My electric's out and so I have no light For the love of God, Pete, open up tonight!" Underneath the moonlight, Peter he replied, "I ain't got no pen, Harl, I'm in bed - Good night! Go bother my neighbour, I 'm sure that she's there Warming up her wood stove, by the kitchen stair." Underneath the moonlight, Harlequin stayed out Knocked at the brunette's house, then he heard her shout "Who is out there knocking?" "'Me," said Harlequin "For the God of love, dear, please let me come in." Underneath the moonlight, one can just discern Someone hunting pens, someone a light to burn Looking for these things, I don't know what they'll find But I know the door closed. And then? Never mind!!! RS OCT98
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!