Jury report for the translation of 'Het Egidiuslied' by Jan Moritoen (?).

The judges had no hesitation in awarding the 3rd David Reid Translation Prize to Francis Jones for his Geordie version of the medieval Egidiuslied. With the ingenious device of making Egidius a collier, Francis Jones has recreated the heartfelt simplicity of the original. The effect of transposing the poem to a modern (or pre-1980s) local context has been to recapture its essence. His version has given the poem back to its anonymous maker and breathed new life into it. This was a refreshing and ambitious entry and one that expands one's idea of the potential of poetry translation. Francis Jones has spoken of using a regional dialect to signal the source text's strangeness. His translation certainly succeeds in doing this, but it also exposes something rather disturbing - in using dialect Jones has recaptured the immediate sense of grief and loss, the human emotion, more effectively than is maybe possible in modern standard English.

The entrant who came nearest to doing the latter in the jury's view was Renée Delhez, who was also the runner-up in the first contest. Her translation is true to the text and to metre and rhyme and it reads well. What she captures in her version is the smoothness, sweetness and lyricism (preserving the caesuras) of a text that is after all as much a song as a poem.

Donald Gardner, November 2007
on behalf of the jury

A Northumberland collier's lament for his marra

Ee, Geordie lad, where did ye gan?
Ah'm missing ye, old pal of mine —
The stanes that killed ye spared me, man.
Wor nights oot doon the toon were fine,
But aall wor lives are on the line.

Ah'll bet ye're sat at God's right han',
Not drinking Broon, but angels' wine –
Enjoy it, hinny, noo ye can.

Ee, Geordie lad, where did ye gan?
Ah'm missing ye, old pal of mine —
The stanes that killed ye spared me, man.

So pray for wa — Ah'll not live lang
But the crack's still canny by the Tyne.
To sing this song oot Ah began
Then sit beside ye's my design,
´Cause aall wor lives are on the line.

Ee, Geordie lad, where did ye gan?
Ah'm missing ye, old pal of mine —
The stanes that killed ye spared me, man.
Wor nights oot doon the toon were fine,
But aall wor lives are on the line.

Translation: © Francis Jones, 2007

------

marra — workmate at the coal face
gan — go
stanes — stones, rocks
wa — us/me
wor — our/my
doon the toon — (down the town) going out in Newcastle
Broon — Newcastle Brown Ale
hinny — (term of endearment)
aall — all
crack — fun
canny — good
oot — out

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You chose to die, I must live on.
Ours was a friendship true and fine,
We were supposed to die entwined.

More glorious now than the sun
You've risen to the throne divine:
All things good to you have come.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You chose to die, I must live on.

Now pray for me, who's left alone
And in this empty world must pine.
Save me a seat close to your own:
I sing my song and serve my time;
But someday I, as well, shall die.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You chose to die, I must live on.
Ours was a friendship true and fine,
We were supposed to die entwined.

Translation: © Renée Delhez, 2007

Egidius, oh where have you gone?
I miss you so, dear friend of mine.
You chose death and let me live on.

We two had a friendship good and fine;
One must, it seemed, his life resign.
Now you've a high throne to sit upon,
Brighter than the sun can shine:
All joy you're granted from now on.

Egidius, oh where have you gone?
I miss you so, dear friend of mine.
You chose death and let me live on.

Pray for me now till death comes anon,
While I in this world must suffer and pine.
Protect me always as I journey on:
My feelings to song I must still consign;
Yet man ever to death must decline.

Egidius, oh where have you gone?
I miss you so, dear friend of mine.
You chose death and let me live on.

Translation: © Paul Vincent, 2007

The Egidius Song

Egidius, where have you gone to
I long for you, oh comrade mine
You let me live, let death come for you
Ours was a friendship good and fine
But one of us had to resign

Now heaven's light is falling on you
Clearer than the sun's bright shine
All the gladness it has won you

Egidius, where have you gone to
I long for you, oh comrade mine
You let me live, let death come for you

Now pray for me, I am not gone too
From this the world where I must pine
Save me a place till I can join you
I still must sing a song of mine
But every soul must cross that line

Egidius, where have you gone to
I long for you, oh comrade mine
You let me live, let death come for you
Ours was a friendship good and fine
But one of us had to resign

Translation: © Frank van Herk, 2007

Egidius

Egidius, where have you gone?
You chose your death and left me life,
my dearest friend for whom I long.
Our friendship once was rich and rife
before you took death as your wife.

She rose you up upon the throne,
clear, luminous and lit by sun.
For you, joy's raiments were won.

Egidius, where have you gone?
You chose your death and left me life,
my dearest friend for whom I long.

Pray for me, who still must perish
in the world with all its burdens.
Save a spot for me to cherish.
First, I'll sing another plainsong:
all mortals come to death ere long.

Egidius, where have you gone?
You chose your death and left me life,
my dearest friend for whom I long.
Our friendship once was rich and rife
before you took death as your wife.

Translation: © Nora Delaney, 2007

Song for Egidius

Egidius, where do you hide?
I long for you. Where are you, friend?
You left me living, and you died.
Your friendship, it was heaven-sent,
But one, it seemed, to die was meant.

So now in heaven you reside,
And far the sun's clear light transcend:
No bliss to you has been denied.

Egidius, where do you hide?
I long for you. Where are you, friend?
You left me living, and you died.

Now pray for me, I must abide
Here in this world with pain contend.
Keep free my seat, one by your side:
I still have time on songs to spend,
Although for each this life must end.

Egidius, where do you hide?
I long for you. Where are you, friend?
You left me living, and you died.
Your friendship, it was heaven-sent,
But one, it seemed, to die was meant.

Translation: © Erik Honders, 2007

Egidius where have you gone
I miss you so, dear friend of mine
You headed for death, I'm to live on.
So one we were, so birds of a feather
Why couldn't we have died together?

You now sit near God's throne on high
Brighter than the sun will shine
All joys are yours to taste and try.

Egidius where have you gone
I miss you so, dear friend of mine
You headed for death, I'm to live on.

Now pray for me I'm yet to die
But first must suffer many a thing
Save me a place right by your side
I still have a few songs to sing
But one day in a grave I'll lie.

Egidius where have you gone
I miss you so, dear friend of mine
You headed for death I'm to live on.
So one we were, so birds of a feather
Why couldn't we have died together?

Translation: © Barbara Cowan, 2007

Egidius, where are you now?
I miss you so, the cheerful company
Fate dealt you death, to me was life allowed
Our friendship blossomed from the heart
I thought that we should never part

Now you are raised to heaven's height
Brighter than the sun that shines
And free to savour all delight

Egidius, where are you now?
I miss you so, the cheerful company
Fate dealt you death, to me was life allowed

Pray now for me who still must die
And here on earth face suffering
Keep me a place there by your side
One little song I have to sing
But death must conquer everything

Egidius, where are you now?
I miss you so, the cheerful company
Fate dealt you death, to me was life allowed
Our friendship blossomed from the heart
I thought that we should never part

Translation: © Sarah Greeves, 2007

THE SONG OF EGIDIUS

Egidius, my friend, my quest:
You're gone, and now I miss you so.
But I must live. You are at rest.
You were the life and soul, you know.
Then fate urged one of us to go.

Straight to heaven you progressed:
You have the sun itself in tow
And with the sweetest joy are blessed.

Egidius, my friend, my quest:
You're gone, and now I miss you so.
But I must live. You are at rest.

Pray for me now, for I must test
My spirit in this world of woe.
One day I'll join you, as your guest,
But first my song must swell and flow.
Of course one day we all must go.

Egidius, my friend, my quest:
You're gone, and now I miss you so.
But I must live. You are at rest.
You were the life and soul, you know.
Then fate urged one of us to go.

Translation: © Judith Wilkinson, 2007

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, companion mine.
You chose death, let me live on!
Yours was friendship good and fine,
It seemed the hour of death's design.

To the throne you now have risen,
More resplendent than sunshine,
May all joy to you be given.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, companion mine.
You chose death, let me live on!

Now pray for me, for sin I must,
And in this world I'll suffer pain.
You'll keep my place by you, I trust,
Until I've sung my song again,
For nought to us but death remains.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, companion mine.
You chose death, let me live on!
Yours was friendship good and fine,
It seemed the hour of death's design.

Translation: © Diane Webb, 2007

Egidius where have you gone?
My friend how I miss you
You chose death to let me live on
That was friendship true
Yet death for one was due

To a realm beyond you ascended
Shining brighter than the sun
Eternal peace at last extended

Pray for me I stay bound here
In this world of pain and suffering
Keep place for me by you near
I still have my lament to sing
Till death that peace to all must bring

Translation: © Nienke Leijte, 2007

[Lament for Egidius]

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You suffered death, you left this life to me.
Of our fine company, it seemed,
one half was bound to die.

Now you are dignified in heaven
shining more brightly than the light of day.
You have been granted every joy.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You suffered death, you left this life to me.

Now pray for me, I have to stay
and in the world endure my burden.
Reserve my seat right by your side:
I need to sing just one more tune.
Yet in the end I too must die.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You suffered death, you left this life to me.
Of our fine company, it seemed,
one half was bound to die.

Translation: © Herman Brinkman, 2007

Egidius' Song

Egidius, where have you gone
My friend, for you I long
You died and left me all alone
Your friendship was so strong
I know that death's not wrong

Now you rise like heaven's dawn
And like the sun, belong
Where all joy to you is drawn

Egidius, where have you gone
My friend, for you I long
You died and left me all alone

Pray for me, a laboring drone
In a world of pain and wrong
My place beside you I'll be shown
'Til then I sing this song
A song one lifetime long

Egidius, where have you gone
My friend, for you I long
You died and left me all alone
Your friendship was so strong
I know that death's not wrong

Translation: © Chris Wilson, 2007

Song of Aegid

Aegid, where are you gone, my dear?
My friend, I do belong to you.
You chose for death, I still live here.
So sweet it was to be as two,
I thought that I was dying too.

But now you are in heaven's sphere,
You shine more bright than sun will do,
All bliss is given you so clear.

Aegid, where are you gone, my dear?
My friend, I do belong to you.
You chose for death, I still live here.

Now pray for me, this world of fear
And pain is mine, I feel so blue.
Preserve a place with you so near,
The days to sing my song are few,
Because soon I am dying too.

Aegid, where are you gone, my dear?
My friend, I do belong to you.
You chose for death, I still live here.
So sweet it was to be as two,
I thought that I was dying too.

Translation: © Arie van der Krogt, 2007

Egidius, where did you go?
I miss you, friend, most every day
You forsook life, left me below
In friendship you would never stray
Then death took one of us away

Enthroned in heaven you now dwell
In light outshining the sun's ray
Eternal bliss deserved so well

Egidius, where did you go?
I miss you, friend, most every day
You forsook life, left me below

Now pray for me while I'm still part
Of this world with all its suffering
A place near yours I hope you'll guard
I have a few lines left to sing
Before I hear my death knell ring

Egidius, where did you go?
I miss you, friend, most every day
You forsook life, left me below
In friendship you would never stray
Then death took one of us away

Translation: © Peter van Nieuwkoop, 2007

Ode to Egidius

Where are you, Egidius? I need to know;
You're my dearest friend, I miss you so.
We shared life's pleasures for many a year,
But you chose to die and leave me here.

Our comradeship was filled with mirth,
But death removed you from this earth.
You now look down from a sunlit throne,
Mid the joy and bliss of your heavenly throne.
Where are you, Egidius? ......

I need your prayers in this world of strife,
As I soldier on through this painful life.
I'll ply my craft till my dying day,
But keep me a place beside you, I pray.
For a few more years I'll sing of love,
Till death unites us in the realm above.

Where are you, Egidius?

Translation: © Sheila McNab, 2007

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You met your death, while I live on.
Ours was a friendship true and fine.
It seemed that one of us two must die.

Now you have risen to the throne,
Brighter than the bright sunshine.
You delight in joy unknown.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You met your death, while I live on.

Now pray for me; I stray alone,
And in this world I toil and pine.
Save me a place beside your own.
I must keep singing this song of mine,
And yet someday I too must die.

Egidius, where have you gone?
I long for you, dear friend of mine.
You met your death, while I live on.
Ours was a friendship good and fine.
It seemed that one of us two must die.

Translation: © David McKay, 2007

Egidius, who hears your sigh?
I long for you, o friend of mine,
You let me live, you bade goodbye.
That was friendship good and fine,
It seemed that one of us must die.

Now you are enthroned on high,
Brighter than the sun you shine.
All joy unto you they cry.

Egidius, who hears your sigh?
I long for you, o friend of mine,
You let me live, you bade goodbye.

Now pray for me, I must yet die,
And in this world of pain reside.
Reserve my place close by your side.
Another song to sing have I,
Each man must perish by and by.

Egidius, who hears your sigh?
I long for you, o friend of mine,
You let me live, you bade goodbye.
That was friendship good and fine,
It seemed that one of us must die.

Translation: © Gerard Forde, 2007

Egidius, tell me where are you?
I miss you so beloved friend.
When death took you, he left me living;
our partnership not due to end.

You've been raised to heavens throne,
Its brilliance brighter than the sun.
All delights are yours to own.

Egidius, tell me where are you?
I miss you so beloved friend.
When death took you, he left me living;
our partnership not due to end.

Now pray for me, as I'm still living
my sinful life in pain down here.
Reserve my place, I'll face the music
Knowing that the end is near

Egidius, tell me where are you?
I miss you so beloved friend.
When death took you, he left me living;
our partnership not due to end.

Translation: © Janine Allis-Smith, 2007

Egidius to where have you gone
My yearning for you friend is constant
You gave up life and let me live on
Our friendship truly strong and pleasant
For one of us was death apparent

To heavens throne you have withdrawn
In your light has the Sunshine weakened
To you mere joy now life has forgone

Egidius to where have you gone
My yearning for you friend is constant
You gave up life and let me live on

Now pray for me for I must go on
In this world my hurt is incessant
Save me a place for when I am gone
Through life I sing my song persistent
Till parting with life is apparent

Egidius to where have you gone
My yearning for you friend is constant
You gave up life and let me live on
Our friendship truly strong and pleasant
For one of us was death apparent

Translation: © C. Wentzel, 2007

Egidius, where are you now?
Departed friend, I yearn for you,
You chose death, but I still live,
How fine the friendship, good and true.
Then death came, I live in rue.

Rising to God's heavenly throne,
brighter than the sparkling sun,
all joy belongs to you alone.

Egidius, where are you now?
Departed friend, I yearn for you.
You chose death, I live in rue.

Pray for me: I am now alone
With all the pain that man must bear,
but keep a place beside your throne,
I must still sing this song alone—
Death always strikes to man's despair.

Egidius, where are you now?
Departed friend, I yearn for you,
You chose death, but I still live,
How fine the friendship, good and true.
Then death came, I live in rue.

Translation: © Shon Arieh-Lerer, 2007

The Egidius Song

My dearest friend, Egidius,
Where are you now? I long for you.
Was this the choice fate made for us
To give me life, give death to you?
Our friendship was so strong and true

That only death could sever us.
In heaven the joy is given to you,
Clear as the sun you shine in bliss.

My dearest friend, Egidius,
Where are you now? I long for you.
Was this the choice fate made for us?

Pray for me now. I still must live
To suffer pain in this world below
And I will sing this song for us:
All things alive must pay death's due.
But keep a place for me by you.

My dearest friend, Egidius,
Where are you now? I long for you.
Was this the choice fate made for us
To give me life, give death to you?
Our friendship was so strong and true.

Translation: © Antoinette Fawcett, 2007

Egidius, where are you?
I long for you, my friend.
You chose death and let me live.
Your company was good and sweet,
Then one of us had to die, it seems.

Now raised up to the throne on high,
You're more radiant than the sun;
All happiness is yours.

Egidius, where are you?
I long for you, my friend.
You chose death and let me live.

Now pray for me, I must live a life that's hard
And suffer in this world.
Keep my place beside you;
There's a song I must yet sing,
Though everyone must die.

Egidius, where are you?
I long for you, my friend.
You chose death and let me live.
Your company was good and sweet,
Then one of us had to die, it seems.

Translation: © Susan Ridder, 2007

Egidius, hwær byst dū fēran
Mē langung for dū ge-fēra min
Dū ge-cēosan dēad dū læt mē līf
þæt wæs ge-fēr-scipe gōd ende blētsian
þæt sēon þā ge-endian

Nūtōrīce fēng
Clæne sē þe sunne scīnan
Ealle wæstm es dū for-giefan

Egidius, hwær byst dū fēran
Mē langung for dū ge-fēra min
Dū ge-cēosan dēad dū læt mē līf

Nū ge-biddan for mē ic sceal gīt scyld-wyrcende
Ende gewītt þolian sār
Ge-nerian folc-stede æt nēxtan for mē
Ic sceal gīt hlēođrian song
Gīt dēad ge-faran

Egidius, hwær byst dū fēran
Mē langung for dū ge-fēra min
Dū ge-cēosan dēad dū læt mē līf
þæt wæs ge-fēr-scipe gōd ende blētsian
þæt sēon þā ge-endian

Translation: © Anita Chopra-Giebels, 2007 (hors concours)

Egidius, where dostow hyde?
My trewe frend, for thee I pyne;
Though deth thou chese, in lyf I byde.
In frendshipp we deled plesaunces fyne,
But al must dye, so I devyne!
Now dostow in a trone resyde
Far brihter than the sunneshyne;
Let al his joie thee betyde.

Egidius, where dostow hyde?
My trewe frend, for thee I pyne!
Though deth thou chese, in lyf I byde.

Now pray for me, which through synne moot slyde
And from this worldes peynes whyne;
But keep my stede by thy syde
Til sungen be these verses myne;
For al shal dye, so I devyne!

Egidius, where dostow hyde?
My trewe frend, for thee I pyne!
Though deth thou chese, in lyf I byde.

Translation: © Francis Jones, 1996 (hors concours)

Egidius, where dost thou hide?
Companion true, for thee I pine;
Though I still live, yet thou hast died.
Our friendship was so good, so fine,
But all must die, so I divine!

By heaven's throne thou dost reside,
A brighter sun on thee doth shine;
May all its joy in thee preside.

Egidius, where dost thou hide?
Companion true, for thee I pine;
Though I still live, yet thou hast died.

Now pray for me: to sin I'm tied,
And worldly pains me still entwine;
But hold my place there by thy side
Until I end this song of mine;
For all shall die, so I divine!

Egidius, where dost thou hide?
Companion true, for thee I pine;
Though I still live, yet thou hast died.

Translation: © Francis Jones, 1996 (hors concours)

Egidius, where do you hide?
For you, my one true friend, I pine,
And I still live, though you have died.
Our friendship was so good, so fine -
But all our lives are on the line!

By heaven's throne you now reside,
On you a brighter sun's rays shine -
May all its joy in you abide.
Egidius, where do you hide?
For you, my one true friend, I pine -
And I still live, though you have died.

So pray for me - to sin I'm tied,
And round me worldly troubles twine -
And keep my place there by your side
Until I've sung this song of mine,
For all our lives are on the line!

Egidius, where do you hide?
For you, my one true friend, I pine -
And I still live, though you have died.

Translation: © Francis Jones, 2000 (hors concours)