Description
Commissioned by the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus.
Translation of French text:
The Final Voyage
I have learned that my life is a pilgrimage
That goes from port to port until the final voyage.
The port of birth and the port of childhood,
The port of adulthood and the port of old age.
I have learned that my life is a pilgrimage
That goes from port to port until the final voyage.
The port of joy and the port of happiness,
The port of suffering and the port of fear.
At each of these ports I repack my bags,
And at each departure I have my heart that’s broken.
I live from these loves that I want eternal:
My country, my friends, and my fraternal bonds.
But I have learned as well: “Everything is none but vanity, lies, fragility… The world is transient.”
Oh yes, indeed! It is useless to gain the whole world,
For the perfect happiness is not on this earth.
Likewise the experience of life taught me:
All human beings must die undoubtedly.
As this is how it is, I live intensely;
Every day, at every hour, and in every moment.
I exult in joy in spite of the misfortunes,
And serenity settles in my heart…
Click Here for complete text and English translation
Click Here Traducción al Español
Recordings
Le Dernier Voyage – recording:
Saint Louis Chamber Singers
Philip Barnes, conductor
Perusal Score
Practice Tracks
