by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941)
Translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

When the lamp went out by my bed
Language: English  after the Bangla (Bengali) 
When the lamp went out by my bed 
I woke up with the early birds.
I sat at my open window 
with a fresh wreath on my loose hair.
The young traveller came along the road 
in the rosy mist of the morning.
A pearl chain was on his neck, and the sun's rays 
fell on his crown.  He stopped before my door and asked me 
with an eager  cry, "Where is she?"
For very shame I could not say, 
"She is I, young traveller, she is I."

It was dusk and the lamp was not lit.
I was listlessly braiding my hair.
The young traveller came on his chariot 
in the glow of the setting sun.
His horses were foaming at the mouth, 
and there was dust on his garment.
He alighted at my door and asked 
in a tired voice, "Where is she?"
For very shame I could not say, 
"She is I, weary traveller, she is I."

It is an April night.  The lamp is burning in my room.
The breeze of the south comes gently.  
The noisy parrot sleeps in its cage.
My bodice is of the colour of the peacock's throat,
and my mantle is green as young grass.
I sit upon the floor at the window 
watching the deserted street.
Through the dark night I keep humming, 
"She is I, despairing traveller, she is I."

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-11-08
Line count: 30
Word count: 231

Когда свет у ложа погас
Language: Russian (Русский)  after the English 
Когда свет у ложа погас, 
с первой птичкой я пробудилась
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Вечер был, не горел еще свет, 
в забытьи расплетала я косы.
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Апрельской ночи мгла. Горит светильник надо мной.
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M. Steinberg sets stanza 1 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
M. Steinberg sets stanza 2 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
M. Steinberg sets stanza 3 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information

About the headline (FAQ)

Show a transliteration: Default | DIN | GOST

Note on Transliterations

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2023-10-30
Line count: 30
Word count: 28