The cicadas
Emmanuel Chabrier
As the sun climbs higher and higher,
patches of shade keep shrinking
and noise multiplies on every side:
it is noon, summer noon is singing!
Directed by the blazing star
is a chorus, who have rehearsed their parts,
broadcasting a raucous cantata
with resolute and tireless hearts
The cicadas, those tiny fellows,
out-vibrato the loudest cellos.
The cicadas' concerted din
outperforms any violin!
*
* *
They overdo it, the cicadas;
they indulgently wallow
in among the old olive-trees
and the flowers of the dusty hollow.
Enchanted with their power to sing,
they press on with their crazy musicking.
Through the branches and browning grasses
their unremitting song takes wing.
The cicadas, those tiny fellows,
out-vibrato the loudest cellos.
The cicadas' concerted din
outperforms any violin!
*
* *
And since for the work-weary peasants
the abundant sun of summer
in ample waves from high above
pours the magic potion of slumber,
all is still, to mark this special hour...
except for these fanatics
filling in the spaces between
the chimes of the distant church tower!
The cicadas, those tiny fellows,
out-vibrato the loudest cellos.
The cicadas' concerted din
outperforms any violin!