MELUSINE [Intro – Soft Harp • Cello • Gentle Strings] [Deep native French female voice • English with strong French accent • mystérieuse, tendre, fatale] At ze fountain in ze forest, Raymondin lost 'is way. Zere 'e saw a woman waiting, silent in ze fading day. She looked at 'im and whispered, “Bonjour, mon chevalier...” 'Ere name was Melusine, and nossing stayed ze same zat day. [Verse 1] [Native French female singer • strong French-accented English • romantique, enchantée, douce] She asked 'im for one promise, one promise 'e must keep. On every Saturday, do not watch me when I sleep. 'E gave 'is word so softly, “Oui, je te le promets.” And Melusine became 'is bride, and loved 'im every day. She gave 'im love and fortune, she brought 'is kingdom life. Children filled ze 'alls with laughter, and she stood beside 'er knight. [Pre-Chorus] [French-accented English • intimate, fragile] Every Saturday she vanished, and closed ze door behind. “Ne cherche pas, mon amour... Do not ask what you may find.” [Chorus] [Strong French accent • emotional • soaring] Melusine... Belle dame de l’eau... Melusine... Mon amour, mon cœur... I gave you love, I gave you life, I gave you all my world. Melusine... Pourquoi, mon amour? Why did you look at me? Melusine... Je t’aime encore... Even though you cannot stay. [Verse 2] [Native French female voice • strong French-accented English • nostalgique, inquiète] Ze years went by like seasons, but questions filled 'is mind. Why did she leave each Saturday? What truth did she 'ide behind? 'E watched 'er from ze shadows, 'e listened at ze door. “Pourquoi, ma chère Melusine? Why do you 'ide from me?” Zen came ze forbidden moment, ze promise left behind. Raymondin looked through ze doorway and saw what 'e must not find. [Pre-Chorus] [French accent • trembling voice • tense, sorrowful] Zere she stood beside ze water, 'er long dark 'air undone. Her 'uman form was fading, 'er secret 'ad become known. [Chorus] [Deep French female voice • strong accent • brisée, désespérée] Melusine... Belle dame de l’eau... Melusine... Il a vu ton secret... You gave 'im love, you gave 'im life, you gave 'im all you knew. Melusine... Pourquoi, mon amour? Why did you look at me? Melusine... Je t’aime encore... But now I must leave you. [Bridge – Almost Whispered] [Very strong French accent • dévastée, intime] Mon amour... Tu m’avais promis... You promised me your trust. Pourquoi as-tu fait cela? Why did you break your word? You called me what I feared, and everyzing grew still. “Adieu, mon amour... Adieu, mon cœur... Tu étais toute ma vie... You were ze love I knew.” [Final Chorus – Large Female Choir] [Strong French accent • immense chagrin • solemn female choir] Melusine... Belle dame de l’eau... Melusine... Ton nom restera... You gave 'im love, you gave 'im life, you gave 'im all your dreams. Melusine... Quand you broke your promise, you vanished wiz ze streams. Melusine... Entre la terre et la mer... Melusine... You were never meant to be ze woman zey could keep. Je t’aime encore... Je t’aime encore... Even as I disappear. [Outro – Harp • Cello • Distant Female Choir] [Whispered French-accented English • mélancolique, lointaine] At Lusignan zey remember ze woman from ze spring. Some say 'er voice returns at night when lonely bells begin. “Adieu, mon amour...” “Adieu...” Melusine... Belle dame de l’eau... Still watching from ze water... Still waiting... Still remembered.
