OK, it's not a good translation, but it works for me in much the same way as Johnny Mercer's "Autumn Leaves" does as a translation of Prevost's "Feuilles Morts". I must confess that I had never actually done a direct A/B comparison of the original vs the McKuen until now, and I guess I can see what you mean, Kevin, Mark and Isabel.

However, "If you go away" served me well insofar as a tape I made of it and sent to her persuaded my wife not to give up on this here penniless folksinger once upon a time when our relationship was under pressure from her parents, and thirty-five years later she's still with me!

My old school song contained the immortal line "sentiment is more than skill" - guess I took this dictum too literally in this case!!

Mea culpa

Alan