Je Te Veux
by Erik Satie

“ Je Te Veux (“I Want You”) ” is a song composed by Erik Satie to a text by Henry Pacory. A sentimental waltz with erotic lyrics, it was written for Paulette Darty, whose accompanist Satie had been for a period of time. The text consists of two verses and a repeated chorus.
The song was registered with SACEM on 20 November 1902, but Roland-Manuel argued it had actually been composed in 1897. Satie composed various versions of the “Je te veux” waltz: for piano and voice, for an orchestra of brass instruments, and for full orchestra (including a trio). The piano and voice version was first published in 1903. The composer later arranged the work for solo piano, adding a middle section between the second chorus and the second verse.
The melody was performed to the public in 1903, at La Scala (not the Milan music hall), then a popular cabaret in Paris. In 1925, the song was recorded with Yvonne George as singer. “Je te veux” was also recorded by Mathé Altéry, Régine Crespin, Gigliola Negri, Nicolaï Gedda, and Davide Bassino, and later by sopranos Jessye Norman, Marie Devellereaum and Angela Gheorghiu.
Jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performed the song on Jacky Terrasson’s 2012 album Gouache. John Cage instructs the performer to do the piano and voice version as part of his “Sonnekus”.

Lyrics

Je Te Veux

J’ai compris ta détresse
Cher amoureux
Et je cède à tes vœux
Fais de moi ta maîtresse
Loin de nous la sagesse
Plus de tristesse
J’aspire à l’instant précieux
Où nous serons heureux
Je te veux

Je n’ai pas de regrets
Et je n’ai qu’une envie
Près de toi là tout près
Vivre toute ma vie
Que mon corps soit le tien
E ta lèvre la mienne
Que ton coeur soit le mien
Et que toute ma chair soit tienne

J’ai compris ta détresse
Cher amoureux
Et je cède à tes vœux
Fais de moi ta maîtresse
Loin de nous la sagesse
Plus de tristesse
J’aspire à l’instant précieux
Où nous serons heureux
Je te veux

Oui je vois dans tes yeux
La divine promesse
Que ton coeur amoureux
Vient chercher ma caresse
Enlacés pour toujours
Brûlant des mêmes flammes
Dans un rêve d’amour
Nous échangerons nos deux âmes

J’ai compris ta détresse
Cher amoureux
Et je cède à tes vœux
Fais de moi ta maîtresse
Loin de nous la sagesse
Plus de tristesse
J’aspire à l’instant précieux
Où nous serons heureux
Je te veux

English Translation:

I Want You

I have understood your distress,
my dear lover,
and I yield to your desires:
make of me your mistress.
Let modesty be far from us,
no more sadness,
I long for the precious moment
when we shall be happy:
I desire you.

I have no regrets,
and I have but one wish:
close to you, there, so close,
to live all my life.
May my heart be yours
and your lips be mine,
may your body be mine,
and may all of my flesh be yours.

Yes, I see in your eyes
the divine promise
that your loving heart
comes in search of my caress.
Entwined forever,
burning with the same flames,
we will share our souls,
in dreams of love.

Songwriters: Erik Satie / Pacory Henry