The children who love one another
Kiss, standing up, against the doors of the night
And the passers-by are pointing their fingers at them
But the children who love one another
Are not present for anyone
And it's only their shadow
Which trembles in the night
Exciting the rage of the passers-by
Their rage, their contempt, their laugh and their envy
The children who love one another
Are not there for anyone
They are elsewhere way further than the night
Way higher than the day
In the blinding light of their first love
This is a very famous song that has already been translated several times (for example here). Even Yves Montand recited the first part in English here but you will find here a literal one (without the extra paragraph of the original poem):
It was originally written for the movie 'Les Portes de la Nuit' with Yves Montand as main actor.
Oh I would like so much for you to remember
the happy days of when we were friends
Back then, life was more beautiful
And the sun burning more than today
Dead leaves are shovelled up
You see, I did not forget
Dead leaves are shovelled up
Memories and regrets as well
And the north wind carries them away
In the dark night of oblivion
You see, I did not forget
The song you sang to me
It's a song that resembles us
You, you loved me and I loved you
And we were living both together
You who loved me, I who loved you
But life parts those who love each other
Slowly without making any noise
And the sea erases on the sand
The steps of the disunited lovers
But life parts those who love each other
Slowly without making any noise
And the sea erases on the sand
The steps of the disunited lovers
Another version:
Mouloudji's version:
Mouloudji's version is longer:
Dead leaves are shovelled up
Memories and regrets as well
But my love quiet and faithful
Still smiles and is thankful for life
I loved you so much, you were so pretty
How do you want me to forget you?
Back then, life was more beautiful
And sun more burning than today
You were my sweetest friend
But I don't care for regrets
And the song you were singing
Always, I'll always hear it
Text: Jacques Prévert
Slightly modified translation from: http://parolesinenglish.wordpress.com/
Year: 1949 (First reading by Montand), 1953 (first sung by Y. Montand), 1966 (Reggiani's version)
Remember Barbara
It was raining ceaselessly on Brest that day
And you were walking smiling
Beaming, delighted, dripping
Under the rain
Remember Barbara
It was raining ceaselessly on Brest
And I passed you in the rue de Siam
You were smiling
And me I was smiling the same smile
Remember Barbara
You who I didn’t know
You who didn’t know me
Remember
Remember that day anyway
Don’t forget
A man under an overhang was taking shelter
And he yelled your name
Barbara
And you ran to him under the rain
Dripping delighted beaming
And you threw yourself in his arms
Remember that Barbara
And don’t be mad if I speak to you familiarly
I speak familiarly to everyone I love
Even if I’ve only seen them once
I speak familiarly to everyone in love
Even if I don’t know them
Remember Barbara
Don’t forget
This good and happy rain
On your happy face
On this happy city
This rain on the sea
On the naval arsenal
On the boat from Ouessant
Oh Barbara
What a bullshit, war
What’s become of you now
Under this rain of iron
Of fire of steel of blood
And the one who took you in his arms
Lovingly
Is he dead, disappeared or yet still living
Oh Barbara
It’s raining ceaselessly on Brest
Like it rained before
But it’s no longer the same and everything’s damaged
It’s a rain of mourning terrible and desolate
It's not even a storm
Of iron of steel of blood anymore
Simply some clouds
That die like dogs
Dogs who disappear
Along the water over Brest
And go to rot far away
Far away very far away from Brest
Of which nothing remains.
Original Title: "Le Galérien"
Text: Maurice Druon
Music: Léo Poll
Year: 1942
I remember, my mom loved me
and I'm in the galleys
I remember my mom said
But I didn't believe my mother
Don't roam in the gutters
Don't fight like a savage
Don't have fun like the birds
She told me to behave
I didn't kill, I didn't steal
I wanted to try my luck
I didn't kill, I didn't steal
I wanted everyday to be sunday
I remember my mom cried
As soon as I was crossing the door
I remember how she cried
She didn't want me to go out
Always, always she said
Don't go to see girls
Don't always do what you want
In prisons, there are bars
I didn't kill, I didn't steal
But I believed Madeleine
I didn't kill, I didn't steal
I didn't want to make her sad
One day the King's soldiers
Will take you to the galleys
You'll go away three by three
Like they took away your father
You will have the head shaved
They will put you in chains
You will have the back broken
And I will die from sorrow
I didn't kill, I didn't steal
But I didn't believe my mother
I remember that she loved me
While I'm rowing in the galleys
André Dassary's version:
And a more modern take by Noir Désir:
Original Title: "Le temps des cerises"
Year: 1868
When we'll sing the time of the cherries
And joyful nightingale and mocking blackbird
Will all be in a festive mood.
Beauties will have folly in the head
and the lovers some sun in the heart.
When we'll sing the time of the cherries
The mocking blackbird will whistle way better
But it's quite short : the time of the cherries
Where we both go pick while dreaming
drop earrings...
Love cherries with vermilion's robes
Falling under the leaf in drops of blood
But it is quite short : the time of the cherries,
Coral earrings we pick up while dreaming!
When you'll be at the time of the cherries
If you're afraid of love sorrows :
Avoid the beauties!
I who do not fear the cruel sorrows
I'll not live without suffering one day...
When you'll be at the time of the cherries
You too will have love sorrows!
I'll always love the time of the cherries
It's from that time that I keep in my heart
An open wound!
And Lady Fortune, being offered to me
will never be able to ease my pain....
I'll always love the time of the cherries
And the memory I keep in my heart!
Many many versions exists, here are the main ones:
Réda Caire's version:
