YEUX D'ENFANTS
(Through Children's Eyes)
Poet: Alexis Vollant
TITLE: Yeux d'enfants
INSTRUMENTATION: SSAA a cappella
TIME: 2m45s
$/COPY: $2.00 CAD (+tx where applicable)
SAMPLE: click here
TEXT
Alexis Vollant
J'ouvre les yeux
et je vois ton bras
me chercher
à travers la noirceur
et l'inconnu
et puis j'avance
en sachant bient
que tu m'attendras
que tu me guideras
vers mon lendemain
il faut des voix pour bâtir un pont
mais il nous faut toi pour chanter
il faut des enfants pour faire un village
ces yeux d'enfants, tu nous les a donnés
j'ouvre les yeux
et j'observe bien
les repères
que tu nous a laissés
dans l'inconnu
je ralentis
pour mieux te voir
sentir tes richesses
cette communauté
que tu as bâtie
Courtesy translation:
I open my eyes
and I see your arm
reaching for me
through the darkness
and the unknown
I move forward
knowing full well
that you'll wait for me
that you'll guide me
towards my future
we need voices to build bridges
but we need you to sing
it takes children to make a village
these children's eyes, you've given them to us
I open my eyes
and I clearly spot
the landmarks
that you've left us
through the unknown
I slow down
to see you better
to fully feel all your riches
this community
that you've built
PROGRAM NOTES
"Yeux d'enfants" is a collaboration between poet Alexis Vollant (Pessamit, QC) and composer Marie-Claire Saindon (Montréal, QC). The piece celebrates a beloved mentor that has the ability to give us the sense of wonder and awe of children's eyes, which in turn gives us the strength and will to build our community for the better.
Commissioned by the University of Toronto Chamber Choir in honour of Dr. Lori-Anne Dolloff for her 37 years of distinguished service to the University of Toronto as professor, conductor, mentor, friend.