A Song Cycle for Bass and Piano (2004)

Based on three poems by Ahmad Shamlou

Original Text :

برف نو، برف نو، سلام، سلام!
بنشین، خوش نشسته ای بر بام.
پاکی آوردی - ای امید سپید! -
همه آلوده گی ست این ایام.
راه شومی ست می زند مطرب
تلخ واری ست می چکد در جام
اشک واری ست می کُشد لب خند
ننگ واری ست می تراشد نام
شنبه چون جمعه، پار چون پیرار،
نقش هم رنگ می زند رسام.
مرغ شادی به دام گاه آمد
به زمانی که برگسیخته دام!
ره به هموارْجای دشت افتاد
ای دریغا که بر نیاید گام!
تشنه آن جا به خاک مرگ نشست
کآتش از آب می کند پیغام!
کام ما حاصل آن زمان آمد
که طمع بر گرفته ایم از کام
خام سوزیم، الغرض، بدرود!
تو فرود آی، برف تازه، سلام!

Translations :

Fresh snow , fresh snow
Salute , Salute!
Have a seat
You are resting beautifully on the roof
You have brought happiness , O you white hope
These days are full of contamination
The musician is playing music inauspiciously
The drink dropping in the cup has become bitter
The tears are killing the smiles
The name is being carved with disgrace
Mondays and Sundays have become the same
Friends and foes have become the same
Even the painter is using similar colors
The bird of joy has been to the hunting-ground late
At the time when the trap has been shattered
We have reached the flat area of the field
Regrets! That we have never got satisfied.
Thirsty man is fallen on the soil of death
Where even the fire is asking for water
Our wishes became true at the time,
When we have nothing to demand of ourselves
We are burnt raw , (we are raw)
In a word , Farewell !
You continue snowing ,
You fresh snow
Salute!