Download Layla and Majnun: A Love Story of Separation and Devotion and more Summaries Dance in PDF only on Docsity!
Layla and Majnun
Libretto by Uzeyir Hajibeyli (based on the poem by Muhammad Fuzuli)
Translation by Aida Huseynova and Isabelle Hunter
1. LOVE AND SEPARATION
Majnun: My soul is on fire because we are apart I want to join my beloved My heart is heavy because I am alone I want to see my beloved I feel like a nightingale that cries in pain, trapped in a cage I want a flower garden.
Layla: My heart has been breaking since I was overcome by love What kind of sorrow is this? I do not have the strength to describe the sorrow in my heart I cannot bear being apart from you
Majnun: Seeing your face – as lovely as the sun – has made me weak I cannot be still My only wish is to perish in the world of love I thank God that my wish is granted I have no more desire
Layla: My true love knows my heart is breaking He knows what sadness lives in my heart There is no need for me to explain my grief He knows every sliver of sorrow in my heart
Majnun: Yes, I know Layla: Yes, he knows Majnun: Yes, I know
Layla and Majnun: Your movements tantalize me Your smile – like a flower – makes me weep Your sweet scent renders me motionless Your tousled hair drives me mad
2. THE PARENTS’ DISAPPROVAL
Both: You fell in love, desperately in love And your love is mixed with sadness and grief
Majnun: Father and Mother – my soul, my spirit Father and Mother – my heart How could I know that falling in love with Layla would turn out this way? What could I say, what could I do? I cannot control this love I’m powerless – I have no strength I can only worship this one idol until the very end of my life
Layla: Mother, Father - it’s not my fault that I went to school I’ve never done anything to disobey you I swear this was not my intention I just wanted to be a carefree schoolgirl Don’t say any more Have mercy and stop tormenting me
Majnun: Father, Mother, my love will drive me mad.
- SORROW AND DESPAIR
Majnun: Dear God, let me be at peace with my troubles Let me feel the despair of my love Have mercy on me in my grief Let me feel even more despair for my love
Layla: Your eyes are closed, your heart is broken Your mind tortured, and your legs are bound You are burning from head to toe And your heart smolders
Majnun: I yearn to feel this sorrow as long as I live I need this sorrow because this sorrow needs me I will not surrender I will not be called unfaithful
Layla: I am as faithful as you are Maybe even more so You are on fire only at night While I am on fire night and day
