Hi, tune I hide,
   where, where shall I hide it?
   It was, it was not, outside or inside?

   Old tune, hi, what does it mean, men and women?
   Now hear the song. You look, I look at you.

   Our eyes' curtain, the eyelashes, opens:
   Where is the stage; outside or inside, men and women?

   Bitter and happy
   well-known things,
   the world outide full with hosts,
   but not htat will cause our death,
   men and women.

   We look at each otehr, look, sing the tune.

   Who knows from where we bring it? Let's hear it and wonder at it., men and
   women.
   (curtain rises behind him)

   The music sounds, the flame burns,
   the performance can begin.

   My eyes' curtain -- the eyelashes open
   Clap when they close, men and women.

   Ancient castle, ancient too is the legend which tells about it-- you
   listen to it.

Text, Bela Balazs, 1925.
Translation by Christopher Hassall.
Universal Edition.
from EMI Classics. Bartok. Bluebeard's Castle

I will not buy this record, IT is scratched.

Mimi Ezust <[log in to unmask]>