N.B: The inspiration for English lyrics hit me so suddenly about some time ago, I’m shocked, lol. I thought this aria above all would resist English. I still have one dubious line that would require an extra syllable, but the alternatives did not satisfy me completely. I also debated whether or not to keep the interrogative tense, since that makes Calaf a little less of an asshole…but I thought he was arguably worse in English than in Italian, so some softening wouldn’t do much. 🤣 Hope you enjoy.
Let No One Sleep! (Nessun Dorma)
Calaf
Let no one sleep!
Let no one sleep…
Even you, my Turandot
Locked in your sacred tower
Will you deny me?
Will you defy your stars now
All for your power?
Or do I haunt you even so?
And by your will my name would know?
No, no!
Only when I take your lips in mine
I’ll break your silence
By the morn
My kiss shall free you from the cold chains that conceal you
And keep you from me
Chorus
His name he’s sworn no one will know
And so we are condemned to die
By light!
Calaf
Give way, oh, night!
Let the day alight!
Let the day alight
I’ll die or you’ll be mine
You’ll be mine!
You’ll be mine!