We give here first the poem as it is sung in its new form (now labelled "Les heures envolées") with a translation. Then follows the original poem by Victor Hugo with its translation.

1._Nous avions, sous les tonnelles, Une maison près Saint-Leu: Comme les fleurs étaient belles, Comme le ciel était bleu!

Parmi les feuilles tombées Nous courions au bois vermeil, Nous cherchions des scarabées Sous les vieux murs au soleil;

2._On riait de ce bon rire, Qu’Eden jadis entendit, Ayant toujours à se dire Ce qu’on s’était déjà dit;

Je contais la Mère l’Oie, On était heureux Dieu sait! On poussait des cris de joie Pour un oiseau qui passait.

3._La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la

Ces [heures] que tu rappelles, Mon coeur, ne reviennent pas. Pourquoi donc [m’obligent-elles A revenir sur mes pas]?

Nous avions, sous les tonnelles, Une maison près Saint-Leu: Comme les fleurs étaient belles, Comme le ciel était bleu!

Translation (AJ): "1._We had, under the arbours, A house near Saint-Leu: How beautiful were the flowers, How blue was the sky!

Among the shed leaves We were running to the crimson wood, We were looking for scarabs Under the old walls in the sun;

2._We were laughing with that good laughter That Eden heard a long time ago, Having always to say to each other What we had already said;

I was telling the story of Mother Goose, We were happy God knows! We were shouting with joy For a bird that was passing over.

3._La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la

These hours that you recall, My heart, are not returning. Why then are they forcing me To return on my steps?

We had, under the arbours, A house near Saint-Leu: How beautiful were the flowers, How blue was the sky!"

Now, the original poem by Victor Hugo is as follows (translation here after):

"A des âmes envolées"

Ces âmes que tu rappelles, Mon coeur, ne reviennent pas. Pourquoi donc s’obstinent-elles, Hélas! à rester là-bas?

Dans les sphères éclatantes, Dans l’azur et les rayons, Sont-elles donc plus contentes Qu’avec nous qui les aimions?

Nous avions, sous les tonnelles, Une maison près Saint-Leu: Comme les fleurs étaient belles, Comme le ciel était bleu!

Parmi les feuilles tombées Nous courions au bois vermeil, Nous cherchions des scarabées Sous les vieux murs au soleil;

On riait de ce bon rire, Qu’Eden ja-dis entendit, Ayant toujours à se dire Ce qu’on s’était déjà dit;

Je contais la Mère l’Oie, On était heureux Dieu sait! On poussait des cris de joie Pour un oiseau qui passait.

Translation (AJ): "To departed souls"

These souls that you recall, My heart, do not come back. Why thus are they persisting Alas! in staying there?

In the dazzling spheres, In the azure and the rays, Are they then happier Than with us who loved them?

We had, under the arbours, A house near Saint-Leu: How beautiful were the flowers, How blue was the sky!

Among the shed leaves We were running to the crimson wood, We were looking for scarabs Under the old walls in the sun;

We were laughing with that good laughter That Eden heard a long time ago, Having always to say to each other What we had already said;

I was telling the Mother Goose story, We were happy God knows! We were shouting with joy For a bird that was passing over.