Prologue Part 1 (Tonio): A word - allow me! Sweet ladies and gentlemen, I pray you hear, why alone I appear: I am the Prologue!
Our author loves the custom of a prologue to his story, and as he would revive for you the ancient glory, he sends me to speak before ye.
But not to prate, as once of old that the tears of the actor are false, unreal, that his sighs and cries, and the pain that is told, he has no heart to feel.
No! No! Our author tonight a chapter will borrow from life with its laughter and sorrow.
Is not the actor a man with a heart like you? So 'tis for men that our author has written, and the story he tells you is true!
Part 2: A song of tender memories deep in his listening heart one day was ringing; and then, with a trembling hand, he wrote it, - and he marked the time with sighs and tears... Come then - Here on this stage you shall behold us, in human fashion, and see the sad fruits of love and passion!
Hearts that weep and languish, cries of rage and anguish, and bitter laughter...Ah think them - sweet people, when you look on us, clad in our motley and tinsel, ours are human hearts, beating with passion.
We are but men like you, for gladness or sorrow. 'Tis the same broad Heaven above us, the same wide road lies before us!
Will ye hear then the story, how it unfolds itself, surely and certain? Come then! Ring up the curtain!
Words and music by Ruggero Leoncavallo
English translation by Frederick E. Weatherley
Pagliacci: Prologue Video (MV)
Harold Williams - Pagliacci: Prologue Lyrics
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English
Prologue Part 1 (Tonio): A word - allow me! Sweet ladies and gentlemen, I pray you hear, why alone I appear: I am the Prologue!
Our author loves the custom of a prologue to his story, and as he would revive for you the ancient glory, he sends me to speak before ye.
But not to prate, as once of old that the tears of the actor are false, unreal, that his sighs and cries, and the pain that is told, he has no heart to feel.
No! No! Our author tonight a chapter will borrow from life with its laughter and sorrow.
Is not the actor a man with a heart like you? So 'tis for men that our author has written, and the story he tells you is true!
Part 2: A song of tender memories deep in his listening heart one day was ringing; and then, with a trembling hand, he wrote it, - and he marked the time with sighs and tears... Come then - Here on this stage you shall behold us, in human fashion, and see the sad fruits of love and passion!
Hearts that weep and languish, cries of rage and anguish, and bitter laughter...Ah think them - sweet people, when you look on us, clad in our motley and tinsel, ours are human hearts, beating with passion.
We are but men like you, for gladness or sorrow. 'Tis the same broad Heaven above us, the same wide road lies before us!
Will ye hear then the story, how it unfolds itself, surely and certain? Come then! Ring up the curtain!
Words and music by Ruggero Leoncavallo
English translation by Frederick E. Weatherley
Our author loves the custom of a prologue to his story, and as he would revive for you the ancient glory, he sends me to speak before ye.
But not to prate, as once of old that the tears of the actor are false, unreal, that his sighs and cries, and the pain that is told, he has no heart to feel.
No! No! Our author tonight a chapter will borrow from life with its laughter and sorrow.
Is not the actor a man with a heart like you? So 'tis for men that our author has written, and the story he tells you is true!
Part 2: A song of tender memories deep in his listening heart one day was ringing; and then, with a trembling hand, he wrote it, - and he marked the time with sighs and tears... Come then - Here on this stage you shall behold us, in human fashion, and see the sad fruits of love and passion!
Hearts that weep and languish, cries of rage and anguish, and bitter laughter...Ah think them - sweet people, when you look on us, clad in our motley and tinsel, ours are human hearts, beating with passion.
We are but men like you, for gladness or sorrow. 'Tis the same broad Heaven above us, the same wide road lies before us!
Will ye hear then the story, how it unfolds itself, surely and certain? Come then! Ring up the curtain!
Words and music by Ruggero Leoncavallo
English translation by Frederick E. Weatherley
Writer: Ruggero Leoncavallo
Copyright: Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Copyright: Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION