Translation of Those were the Days, My Friend by T. Wignesan (poem) by T. Wignesan on AuthorsDen

Translation of Those were the Days, My Friend by T. Wignesan
by T. Wignesan → (All Poetry by T. Wignesan)
Sunday, April 21, 2019 Rated "G" by the Author.

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An excruciating Russian melody turned to poignant drama and produced by Paul McCartenay in 1968...

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 Oů nous trinquions un ŕ 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 ŕ notre guise Nous ferions face aux difficultés sans s'y perdre nos vises Puisque nous étions jeunes et sűrs de pouvoir mener ŕ bien notre vie La la…dai…dai…. Puis les années chargées de souci coulaient si vites Nous perdions nos précieux idéals pendant ce temps-lŕ Et si par hasard je te rencontrerais ŕ 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'ętre 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 ŕ peine plus sages Car dans nos cśurs les idéals ręvés restent toujours les męmes 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

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on April 21, 2019

From Russian to British English and then to French. While I do not understand the poetic jargon you present from poetic expertise, I find that Paul McCartney lyric one of the very best of the Beatles continually, very good, poetry set to music. And the lesson the poem describes is so real that it is universal to most who hear the words.

Ron