Votre Toast

The Toreador Song (Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre) is one of the most famous arias from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. Sung by the matador Escamillo, it describes various situations in the ring, the cheering of the crowds and the fame that comes with victory.

Text

Original French

English Translation

Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre, Señors, señors car avec les soldats Oui, les Toréros, peuvent s'entendre ; Pour plaisirs, pour plaisirs, Ils ont les combats ! Le cirque est plein, c'est jour de fête ! Le cirque est plein du haut en bas ; Les spectateurs, perdent la tête, Les spectateurs s'interpellent à grand fracas ! Apostrophes, cris et tapage Poussés jusques à la fureur ! Car c'est la fête du courage, C'est la fête des gens de cœur ! Allons ! en garde ! allons ! allons ! Ah ! Toréador, en garde ! Toréador ! Toréador ! Et songe bien, oui, songe en combattant Qu'un œil noir te regarde, Et que l'amour t'attend, Toréador, L'amour, l'amour t'attend ! Et songe bien, oui, songe en combattant Qu'un œil noir te regarde, Et que l'amour t'attend, Toréador, L'amour, l'amour t'attend ! Tout d'un coup, on fait silence... on fait silence... Ah ! que se passe-t-il ? Plus de cris, c'est l'instant ! Plus de cris, c'est l'instant ! Le taureau s'élance En bondissant hors du Toril ! Il s'élance ! il entre, il frappe ! un cheval roule, Entraînant un Picador, "Ah ! bravo! Toro !" hurle la foule ! Le taureau va, il vient, il vient et frappe encore ! En secouant ses banderilles, Plein de fureur, il court ! Le cirque est plein de sang ! On se sauve, on franchit les grilles ! C'est ton tour maintenant ! allons ! en garde ! allons ! allons ! Ah ! Toréador, en garde ! Toréador, Toréador ! Et songe bien, oui, songe en combattant Qu'un œil noir te regarde, Et que l'amour t'attend, Toréador, L'amour, l'amour t'attend ! Et songe bien, oui, songe en combattant Qu'un œil noir te regarde Et que l'amour t'attend, Toréador, L'amour, l'amour t'attend ! L'amour! L'amour ! L'amour ! Toréador, Toréador, Toreador !

Your toast, I can give it to you Sirs, sirs, for with the soldiers Yes, the Toreros, can agree; For pleasure, for pleasure They have fights! The arena is full, it is a celebration day! The arena is full, from top to bottom; The spectators, losing their heads, The spectators call to one another with a great din! Rude shouts, cries and uproar grow into a furor! For it is a celebration of courage! It is the celebration of strong-hearted men! Come on, on guard! Come on! Come on! Ah! Toreador, on guard! Toreador, Toreador! And think, yes, think as you fight, That a dark eye is watching you, And that love awaits you, Toreador, love, love awaits you! And think, think as you fight, That a dark eye is watching you And love awaits you Toreador, love, love awaits you! All of a sudden, people fall silent People fall silent ... Ah, what is happening? No more shouts! The moment has come! No more shouts! The moment has come! The bull charges forward Bounding from the Toril! He charges forward! He enters. He strikes! A horse rolls, Dragging a picador, Ah, Bravo! Bull! The crowd roars! The bull goes, he comes, He comes and strikes again! Shaking his banderillas, Full of fury, he rushes! The arena is full of blood! People are fleeing, they jump over the railings It is your turn now. Come on! On guard! Come on! Come on! Ah! Toreador, on guard! Toreador, Toreador! And think, yes, think as you fight, That a dark eye is watching you, And that love awaits you, Toreador, Love, love awaits you! And think, yes, think as you fight, That a dark eye is watching you And that love awaits you Toreador, love, love awaits you! Love! Love! Love! Toreador, Toreador, Toreador!

In popular culture

• The song is mocked during the "I lost my shirt/I found my shirt"" scene in The Marx Brothers movie Cocoanuts.
• The entire song is also spoofed within the game Secret Agent Clank in which an entire level features a giant stage which plays the Toreador Song with new comical lyrics detailing Qwarks dubious exploits.
• Fans of Munster Rugby have adapted the song to a version called "Stand Up and Fight" which is traditionally sung before a Munster match.
• The tune is used as the theme song for the Geelong Cats Australian Rules Football team, with different lyrics.
• In World of Darkness, a popular role-playing game, Toreador (World of Darkness) is a clan of vampire obsessed with love and beauty despite the fierce fight to survive in the setting of the game.

In this town

Media

• "Toreador Song" was performed by Opera Philadelphia at Reading Terminal Market in 2011. [1]

References

• Source of the aria and translation