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.

Où vivre? Dans quelle ombre

Étouffer mon ennui?

Ma tristesse est plus sombre

Que la nuit.

Où mourir? Sous quelle onde

Noyer mon deuil amer?

Ma peine est plus profonde

Que la mer.

Où fuir? De quelle sorte

Égorger mon remord?

Ma douleur est plus forte

Que la mort!

Jean Richepin

Where live? In what shadow

Stifle my boredom?

My sadness is darker

Than the night.

Where die? Under what wave

Drown my bitter mourning?

My sorrow is deeper

Than the sea.

Where flee? In what manner

Slaughter my remorse?

My pain is stronger

Than death.