This title is for centering.

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Please unwrap candies and turn off beepers and cell phones prior to the performance. Photography of any kind is prohibited.

Everyone passes by on the square, everyone comes and goes, droll people they are!

At the guard door, we kill the time smoking, chatting, watching the passers-by.

Everyone passes by on the square, everyone comes and goes, droll people they are!

Look at the pretty girl who seems to want to talk to us.

- Look! She's turning, hesitating. - We must come to her aid!

What are you looking for, my beauty?

- Me, I seek a brigadier. - I'm here! Voilà!

My brigadier is called Don José. Do you know him?

- We all know him. - Really! I beg to know, is he with you?

- He's not a brigadier in our company. - Then he is not here.

No, my charming one, he's not here; but he will be very soon.

He'll come for the changing of the guard.

But while you wait for his arrival, would you like, my lovely child,

Would you like to come in for a moment?

- With you? - With us.

No, thank you very much, gentlemen soldiers.

Enter without fear, my pretty, I promise we will have all consideration you need.

I don't doubt that; however, I'll return, it's more prudent.

I'll return for the changing of the guard.

- You will stay! - I will not!

Farewell, soldiers!

The bird has flown, we must concede; let's resume our pastime of watching the passers-by.

Everyone passes by on the square, everyone comes and goes, droll people they are!

With the guard we arrive! Sound the trumpet!

Heads high we march like soldiers, marking without mistakes; one, two, step in time.

Shoulders back, chest out, arms like this, falling along the body.

With the guard we arrive! Sound the trumpet!

Heads high we march like soldiers, marking without mistakes; one, two, step in time.

Shoulders back, chest out, arms like this, falling along the body.

We've arrived! We're here!

A charming young girl was asking about you.

- She had a blue skirt and falling tresses. - It must be Micaëla.

And the guard leaves for its barracks. Sound the trumpet!

Heads high we march like soldiers, marking without mistakes; one, two, step in time.

Isn't it there that the cigarette girls work?

That's right, sir, and no place has girls of such easy virtue!

But are they at least pretty?

Sir, I don't know. I don't bother with these gallantries.

I know, friend, what concerns you – a charming young girl named Micaëla,

With a blue skirt and falling tresses. What do you say to that?

I say it's true, I respond that I love her!

As for the factory girls' beauty, you can judge for yourself!

The bell has sounded, and we come here to get a glimpse of the factory girls returning to the street.

And we follow, cigarette girls, while murmuring words of love!

Words of love!

Look at them! Impudent stares, flirtatiously smoking...

…from the ends of their teeth, the cigarettes!

Through the air we watch the fragrant smoke rise to the sky.

Rising gently to your head, it softly makes your soul happy!

The sweet words of lovers is nothing but smoke! Their rapture and vows are nothing but smoke!

Through the air, the smoke! We follow it up into the sky!

The smoke!

But we still don't see Carmencita!

There she is!

There she is, Carmencita!

Carmen! We follow your footsteps!

Carmen! Be gentle, answer us, tell us what day you will love us!

When I will love you? Truly I don't know. Perhaps never, perhaps tomorrow!

But not today, that's for sure.

Love is a rebellious bird which nothing can tame.

It's useless to call him, if it suits him to refuse!

Nothing helps: threats or pleading; one is loud, the other keeps silent;

…and it is the other I prefer – he has said nothing, but he pleases me.

Love is a Bohemian child; it has never known any law.

If you don't love me, I love you, If I love you, be on your guard!

The bird you thought you could surprise flapped its wings and flew away;

Love is far away: you can wait; you stop waiting, it is there.

All around you, quickly, quickly, it comes, it goes, it returns;

You think you can hold it, it escapes you; you think you can escape it, it holds you!

Love is a Bohemian child; it has never known any law.

If you don't love me, I love you, If I love you, be on your guard!