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.

Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d’été
Le grand soleil, complice de ma joie,
Fera, parmi le satin et la soie,
Plus belle encore votre chère beauté;

Le ciel tout bleu, comme une haute tente,
Frissonnera somptueux à longs plis
Sur nos deux fronts qu’auront pâlis
L’émotion du bonheur et l’attente;

Et quand le soir viendra,l’air sera doux
Qui se jouera, caressant, dans vos voiles,
Et les regards paisibles des étoiles
Bien veillamment souriront aux époux.

Paul Verlaine

So it will be, on a clear summer's day;
The great sun, accomplice of my joy,
Will make, among the satin and the silk,
Lovelier still your dear beauty.

The blue sky, like a tall canopy,
Will tremble sumptuously in lengthening folds
Above our two foreheads which will be pale
With the emotions of happiness and expectation.

And when evening comes, the breeze will be gentle
Which will play caressingly among your veils,
And the peaceful gaze of the stars
Will smile benevolently on the wedded lovers.