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Translation of Those Were the Days, My Friend By T Wignesan

Translation of " Those were the Days, My Friend " by T. Wignesan Ces jours éloignés que nous avions partagés, Mon Ami (A re-make of an earlier Russian song, produced by Paul McCartenay and sung by Mary HOPKIN in 1968. I have not tried to stick to the original rhyme scheme for obvious reasons, preferring to compensate by adhering to internal rhyme: ABCB/Refrain :DDEFFE/Refrain/GEHE/Refrain/Refrain/AIAI/Refrain/JKJK/Refrain. Slight variations occur in the refrain, though, together with the substitution of the refrain by onomatopoetic repetition of the refrain's rhythm with " La la…dai…dai..) Il fut un temps il existait une taverne Où nous trinquions un à l'autre avec un verre ou deux Souviens-tu nos rires aux éclats pour faire passer le temps Et les grandes choses nous songeons pouvoir accomplir plus tard Refrain Ces jours éloignés que nous avions partagés, Mon Ami Lesquels nous pensions alors ne prendraient jamais fin Nous chantions et dansions pour toujours et encore un jour Nous vivions notre vie à notre guise Nous ferions face aux difficultés sans s'y perdre nos vises Puisque nous étions jeunes et sûrs de pouvoir mener à bien notre vie La la…dai…dai…. Puis les années chargées de souci coulaient si vites Nous perdions nos précieux idéals pendant ce temps-là Et si par hasard je te rencontrerais à la taverne Ne sourions-nous pas un comme l'autre et ne dirions pas : Refrain Justement ce soir-ci je me suis trouvé devant la taverne Ni une chose semblait d'habitude d'être comme auparavant Dans les vitres je voyais une étrange réflexion D'une vieille femme délaissée - fut-elle vraiment moi Refrain A travers la cloison des rires aux éclats familiers J'aperçu ton visage et entendu ta voix prononçant mon nom Hélas ! Mon Ami ! Nous sommes plus âgés mais à peine plus sages Car dans nos cœurs les idéals rêvés restent toujours les mêmes Refrain Those were the days, My Friend Once upon a time there was a tavern Where we used to raise a glass or two Remember how we laughed away the hours And dreamed of all the great things we would do Refrain : Those were the days, My Friend We thought they'd never end We'd sing and dance forever and a day We'd live the life we choose We'd fight and never lose For we were young and sure to have our way Refrain Then the busy years rushing by us We lost our starry notions on the way If by chance I'd see you in the tavern We'd smile at one another and we'd say : Refrain Just tonight I stood before the tavern Nothing seemed the way it used to be In the glass I saw a strange reflection Was that lonely woman really me Refrain Through the door there came familier laughter I saw your face and heard you call my name Oh, My Friend ! We're older but no wiser For in our hearts the dreams are still the same © Translation : T. Wignesan - Paris, April 19, 2019

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Sunlite Wanter

Date: 4/21/2019 11:21:00 AM

I really liked the English - remembered the song, and tapped my foot!

T Wignesan
Date: 4/22/2019 2:14:00 AM

I don't blame you for liking only the English original, for it shows how simple it is to write everlasting poetry if one is sincere with one's feelings. Of course, rhyme and economy of expression plays a part, but that's just by the way...Cheers for Easter holidays, Sunlite Wanter!