Barcarolle
Andrea Bocelli London Symphony Orchestra Lorin Maazel Lyrics

These lyrics are from Andrea Bocelli's version of Barcarolle, which is originally from Jacques Offenbach's opera, The Tales of Hoffmann. The song is a duet, traditionally sung between the characters Nicklausse and Giulietta, with different versions and interpretations ranging from humorous to romantic or tragic. The lyrics describe the fleeting nature of time and how it takes away our cherished moments and affections. The use of the barcarolle form, which imitates the rhythm of gondoliers rowing in Venice, conveys a melancholic yet sensual ambiance, as the characters enjoy the beauty of the night, the caresses of Zephyrs (the god of the west wind), and the pleasures of love.

In the first stanza, "Le temps fuit et sans retour/Emporte nos tendresses/Loin de cet heureux séjour/Le temps fuit sans retour" ("Time flies away and never returns/It takes away our tenderness/Far from this happy abode/Time flies away and never returns"), the repetition of "Le temps fuit sans retour" stresses the idea of irrevocable loss, while the contrast between "tendresses" (tenderness or affection) and "heureux séjour" (happy place or stay) evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing for a past moment or love. The second stanza starts with "Zéphyrs embrasés/Versez-nous vos caresses/Zéphyrs embrasés/Donnez-nous vos baisers/Vos baisers! vos baisers, ah" ("Embraced Zephyrs/Pour on us your caresses/Embraced Zephyrs/Give us your kisses/Your kisses! your kisses, ah"), which adds a sensual tone to the song, as the characters make a plea for the winds to embrace them and kiss them. The refrain "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour/Souris à nos ivresses/Nuit plus douce que le jour/Ô belle nuit d'amour" ("Beautiful night, oh night of love/Smile on our drunkenness/Sweeter than the day/Oh beautiful night of love") reinforces the idea of pleasure and escape, as the characters indulge in their desires and forget their troubles.