Normandy

(From the French of Bérat)

When all the land’s alive again With winter far away, And heaven over France again Is fairer than to-day, When spring puts off her gray for green, And swallows all return-- Then I’ll go back to Normandy, The land where I was born.

I know the fields of Switzerland, The peaks and icy meres; I know the skies of Italy, I know the gondoliers; But let me wander where I will, I say that I’ll return To Normandy, my Normandy, The land where I was born.

At last there comes a time to us When all dreams lose their glow; There comes a time when in our souls We need the long ago; So when my songs are cold in me, And love will not return-- Then I’ll go back to Normandy, The land where I was born.