The English version presented below is a literal, word-for-word translation. It attempts to preserve the poet's word order as far as possible, for a better appreciation of the composer's musical treatment of individual words and phrases. Download track from iTunes.

J’allais par des chemins perfides,
Douloureusement incertain.
Vos chères mains furent mes guides.

Si pâle à l’horizon lointain
Luisait un faible espoir d’aurore;
Votre regard fut le matin.

Nul bruit, sinon son pas sonore,
N’encourageait le voyageur.
Votre voix me dit: “Marche encore!”

Mon coeur craintif, mon sombre coeur
Pleurait, seul, sur la triste voie;
L’amour, délicieux vainqueur,
Nous a réunis dans la joie.

Paul Verlaine

I followed treacherous paths,
Painfully uncertain,
And your dear hands were my guides.

Pale on the far horizon
There glowed a faint hope of dawn,
Your glance was the morning.

No noise, save for his resounding footsteps
Gave courage to the voyager.
Your voice said to me: “Keep walking!”

My fearful heart, my sombre heart
Wept, alone, on the lonely road.
Love, that delightful conqueror,
Has reunited us in joy.