William McLennan (1856–1904)

(Translation of an old Chanson)

BEHIND the Manor lies the mere,

En roulant ma boule;

Three ducks bathe in its water clear,

En roulant ma boule.

Rouli, roulant, ma boule roulant,

En roulant ma boule, roulant,

En roulant ma boule.

Three fairy ducks swim without fear:

The Prince goes hunting far and near.

The Prince at last draws near the lake:

He bears his gun of magic make.

With magic gun of silver bright,

He sights the Black but kills the White.

He sights the Black but kills the White:

Ah! cruel Prince, my heart you smite.

Ah! cruel Prince, my heart you break,

In killing thus my snow-white Drake.

My snow-white Drake, my Love, my King;

The crimson life-blood stains his wing.

His life-blood falls in rubies bright,

His diamond eyes have lost their light.

The cruel ball has found its quest,

His golden bill sinks on his breast.

His golden bill sinks on his breast,

His plumes go floating East and West.

Far, far they’re borne to distant lands,

Till gathered by fair maidens’ hands;

Till gathered by fair maidens’ hands,

And form at last a soldier’s bed.

And form at last a soldier’s bed,

En roulant ma boule.

Sweet refuge for the wanderer’s head,

En roulant ma boule.

Rouli, roulant, ma boule roulant,

En roulant ma boule, roulant,

En roulant ma boule.