Debussy originally wrote “Clair de Lune” (“Moonlight”) in 1890 for “Suite Bergamasque.” Originally the piece was entitled “Promenade Sentimentale” but was changed to “Clair de Lune” in 1905. The inspiration for this change in the title was taken from a poem written by Paul Verlaine in 1869.
_______________________________________________
Clair de Lune
(Moonlight)
By Paul Verlaine
(English translation/reinterpretation by Crag Jensen)
The world of your choosing lies deep within you
A curious abode where the charming harlequins of old Bergamo go,
Where they strum upon age-stained spruce and rosewood lutes,
Dancing, singing; changing places, forever hiding their forlorn, tired and time-worn faces.
Ah, but you know; yes you know.
Twisted memories-cum-wanton prophecies of things-ne’er-meant-to-be – each one sung in the darkest of keys.
Songs that boast and songs that brag; songs that ring through the night then disappear.
Away they sail, in a rustic sort of way or style; entranced by their pomp; adorned in their guile.
And the Moon – she sees their bold and blind charade
But she never hears, no she never hears.
In her perfect stillness I bathe in the wistful silence of her pale and mysterious light,
Mystic beams that cast the birds into dreams outré, so very, very far away
Inciting fountains to gush forth with rapturous tears – whilst lost in the moonlit-drear of a fair and pure, erotic night.
Amidst the svelte and silent gods of stone and marble they rise; they play
With not a word to say, no, not a word to say.
______________________________________________________________________________
Original Version in French
Clair de Lune
par Paul Verlaine
Votre âme est un paysage choisi
Que vont charmant masques et bergamasques
Jouant du luth et dansant et quasi
Tristes sous leurs déguisements fantasques.
Tout en chantant sur le mode mineur
L'amour vainqueur et la vie opportune
Ils n'ont pas l'air de croire à leur bonheur
Et leur chanson se mêle au clair de lune,
Au calme clair de lune triste et beau,
Qui fait rêver les oiseaux dans les arbres
Et sangloter d'extase les jets d'eau,
Les grands jets d'eau sveltes parmi les marbres.
______________________________________________________________________
Direct Translation
Your soul is a chosen landscape
Where charming masqueraders and bergamaskers go
Playing the lute and dancing and almost
Sad beneath their fanciful disguises.
All sing in a minor key
Of victorious love and the opportune life,
They do not seem to believe in their happiness
And their song mingles with the moonlight,
With the still moonlight, sad and beautiful,
That sets the birds dreaming in the trees
And the fountains sobbing in ecstasy,
The tall slender fountains among marble statues.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Credits:
"Clair de Lune"
was composed by
Claude-Achille Debussy
The original version of the poem
"Clair de Lune"
was written by Paul Verlaine
The English translation/reinterpretation of
"Clair de Lune"
was written by
Crag Jensen
The animated likeness of Debussy was inspired by a
photograph by Jacques-emile Blanche
The animated image of "Clair de Lune" was
inspired by a textured photograph by Marie Gale
The animated image of the harlequin was inspired by a painting by “SACHA”
Musical arrangement, performance and production of
"Clair de Lune"
by
Crag Jensen
Musical arrangement, performance and production of
"Clair de Lune"
by
Crag Jensen
Animation, titles and video editing
by
Crag Jensen