Johann Paul Martini / Jean Pierre Claris de Florian

Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment,
Chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.

J'ai tout quitté
pour l'ingrate Sylvie.
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant.

Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment,
Chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.

"Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie,
Je t'aimerai," me répétait Sylvie.
L'eau coule encor,
elle a changé pourtant.

Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment,
Chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.

The Pleasure Of Love

Love's pleasure lasts but a moment
Love's sorrow lasts all throughout life.

I would have left everything
for faithless Sylvia,
But she left me and took another lover.

Love's pleasure lasts but a moment
Love's sorrow lasts all throughout life.

"As long as the water flows gently
To the stream that borders the meadow,
I will love you", repeated Sylvia to me.
The water still flows,
but she has changed.

Love's pleasure lasts but a moment
Love's sorrow lasts all throughout life.