: Re: Translating non-English lyrics to English I am wondering what are some guidelines when translating the lyrics of a song to another language, because lyrics depend a lot on musicality (rhymes,

@Kevin153

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There are two main reasons to translate lyrics:

1) You want the audience in the target language to understand the original lyrics (for instance, for liner notes, or a song lyrics website). In this case, translate for meaning. If you can give some hint of the original rhyme scheme or meter, do so.

2) You want to create a version of the song in the target language. You'll essentially need to write all new lyrics that fit the rhyme scheme and meter. If you can capture some of the spirit of the original lyrics, all the better.

It's impossible to do literal translations from one language to another that also preserve rhyme and meter, so you're forced to privilege one or the other. Consider:

I Dreamed a Dream (English version)
I dreamed a dream in days gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving

(literal translation of original lyrics)
I dreamed of another life
But life has killed my dreams
As we stifle the last cries
From an animal that we finish

AND

Habanero (English version from Carmen Jones)
Love's a baby that grows up wild
And he don't do what you want him to
Love ain't nobody's angel-child
And he won't pay any mind to you

(literal translation of original lyrics)
love is a rebellious bird
that no one can tame
And it is in vain that it is called
If he agrees to refuse

AND

Seasons in the Sun (English version)
Goodbye my friend it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that spring is in the air

(literal translation)
Farewell Emile, I'm going to die
It's hard to die in the spring, you know
But I go to the flowers, peace in the soul

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