Pour finir

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff at the bar or ending used only the last time through a repeated or strophic section, often with a sign or bracket; bilingual editions may add “last time”. Performers skip it on earlier passes and go to it after the final verse.

How Composers Use It

A road sign for strophic songs, rondos and dances whose final pass needs a different close. Make the structure unmistakable: mark the repeat or sign the performer jumps from, label the earlier ending (au 2e couplet, 1re fois), and let pour finir head the closing bars. If the ending simply follows the last repeat, Fin or a double bar may be all you need.

Example

Satie, Tendrement, voice, m. 41: “Pour finir /”, printed with the English “last time”, three bars after “au 2e Couplet” and “aller au signe”.

Related Terms