Jenkins was born in Neath, Wales, where she and her sister Laura were raised by their parents Selwyn John (1924–1995) and Susan. She has twin half-sisters from her father's first marriage, neither of whom she has met.
Six out of seven of Jenkins's studio albums reached number one in the classical charts between 2004 and 2008, selling a total of more than 4 million copies. After her first album, Premiere, made her the fastest-selling mezzo-soprano to date she became the first British classical crossover artist to have two number one albums in the same year. She is also the first female artist to win two consecutive Classical BRIT Awards: her second album, Second Nature, reached number 16 in the UK pop charts and was Album of the Year in the 2005 BRIT Awards.
On Sunday 25th November 2007, Katherine Jenkins' new album 'Rejoice' entered the 'Official UK Album Chart' at number 3. Katherine beat off stiff competition from the likes of Girls Aloud, Led Zeppelin, Spice Girls, Take That and Celine Dion.
Barcarolle
Katherine Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emporte nos tendresses,
Loin de cet heureux séjour
Le temps fuit sans retour.
Zéphyrs embrasés,
Versez-nous vos caresses,
Zéphyrs embrasés,
vos baisers! vos baisers! Ah!
Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour,
Souris à nos ivresses,
Nuit plus douce que le jour,
Ô belle nuit d'amour!
Ah! Souris à nos ivresses!
Nuit d'amour, ô nuit d'amour!
Ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah!
Katherine Jenkins's song "Barcarolle" includes lyrics in French that translate to "Time flies and doesn't return, carrying away our tenderness. Far from this happy abode, time flies without return. Embraced zephyrs, pour on us your caresses, embraced zephyrs, give us your kisses! Your kisses! Your kisses! Ah!" The lyrics then transition to "Beautiful night, oh night of love, smile upon our intoxication, night sweeter than the day, oh beautiful night of love! Ah! Smile upon our intoxication! Night of love, oh night of love! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!"
The overall theme of the lyrics is that time passes quickly and can take away cherished moments, but the beauty and joy of love can make time feel sweeter and more fulfilling. The use of the zephyrs (gentle, warm winds) and the night as metaphors amplify the romantic and dreamy tone of the song. The repeated "ahs" at the end of the lyrics add a dramatic flair and further emphasize the passion and intensity of the love being expressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Le temps fuit et sans retour
Time passes and never returns
Emporte nos tendresses,
Taking our tenderness away
Loin de cet heureux séjour
Far from this happy place
Le temps fuit sans retour.
Time passes and never returns.
Zéphyrs embrasés,
Burning zephyrs,
Versez-nous vos caresses,
Shower us with your caresses,
Zéphyrs embrasés,
Burning zephyrs,
Donnez-nous vos baisers! vos baisers! vos baisers! Ah!
Give us your kisses! Your kisses! Your kisses! Ah!
Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour,
Beautiful night, oh night of love,
Souris à nos ivresses,
Smile at our drunkenness,
Nuit plus douce que le jour,
Night sweeter than the day,
Ô belle nuit d'amour!
Oh beautiful night of love!
Ah! Souris à nos ivresses!
Ah! Smile at our drunkenness!
Nuit d'amour, ô nuit d'amour!
Night of love, oh night of love!
Ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah!
Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
Writer(s): J. Offenbach, H. Whistler Copyright: Hal Leonard Corporation D/B/a Rubank Inc.
Contributed by Cameron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.