Corigliano: The Ghosts of Versailles / Act II - "Once There Was A Golden Bird" - Renée Fleming, Philharmonia Orchestra, Sebastian Lang-Lessing

Marie-Antoinette

Once there was a golden bird

a bird who lived in a silver cage.

I never saw the world outside.

I never knew the world of pain.

Dreams, which every hour

and every day bloom more beautiful,

and with their heavenly tidings

blissfully pervade my mind?

Dreams, which like sublime light

penetrate my soul

to paint there an eternal image:

forgetting all, remembering one!

Dreams, like the spring sun

kissing the flowers from the snow—

to a welcome of undreamed-of joys

from the new day,

To grow, to bloom,

to impart their scent as they dream,

fading softly at your breast

to then sink into the grave

I did not know, did not know!

I have to stay, Beaumarchais,

and I have to die.

For there was no peace,

I wandered, cold, bitter, empty,

until with your art and love you called me.

You taught me that acceptance is the only

road to freedom

and forgiveness sets our spirit free to fly.

Floating, rising, soaring,

delight, rapture, paradise!

Thank you for this moment of peace.

I suffered here in endless night.

And then you came and brought me light.

I love you.