French Music – Michel Polnareff Posted by Tim Hildreth on Oct 1, 2019 in Culture, Music, Vocabulary
As one season (l’été) turns into another (l’automne), I find it’s time for another song that evokes memory, loss, and the oncoming of fall.
| Je me souviens, moi, | Me, I remember, |
| De ce musicien | That musician |
| C’était l’automne à | It was fall at |
| La maison | The house |
| Je me souviens, moi, | I remember, I do, |
| De ce musicien | This musician |
| C’était l’automne sur | It was fall on |
| Son violon^ | His violin |
| Le temps n’est plus | But those days are gone |
| Où passaient les violons | When violin players came by |
| Quand tu étais dans la maison | When you were in the house |
| Il a tant plu, | It has rained so much |
| Depuis tant de saisons | For so many seasons |
| Le temps n’est plus aux violons… | The time of violins is over… |
| Moi… Dans la maison vide | Me … In the empty house |
| Dans la chambre vide | In the empty (bed)room |
| Je passe l’été à écouter | I spend the summer listening to |
| Cette symphonie | That symphony |
| Qui était si belle | That was so beautiful |
| Et qui me rappelle* | And that reminds me |
| Un amour fini | Of a love no more |
| Moi… Dans la maison vide | Me .. In the empty house |
| Dans la chambre vide | In the empty room |
| Je passe* l’été à regarder | I spend the summer watching |
| Les oiseaux qui passent | The birds that go by |
| Comme* des menaces | Like an menace/bad omen |
| Et j’entends l’automne | And I hear the fall |
| Moi, je n’attends personne | Me, I’m not waiting for anyone |
| Je me souviens, moi, | I remember, |
| De ce musicien | The musician |
| Un soir d’adieu à la maison | And a night of farewells at the house |
| Je me souviens, moi, | I remember |
| De ce musicien | The musician |
| Et de l’adieu sur | And the farewell of |
| Son violon | His violin |
| Et chaque année | And each (every) year |
| Lorsque l’année finit | When the year ends |
| J’entends le violon de septembre | I hear the violin of September |
| Et le passé | And the past |
| Comme* une symphonie | Like a symphony |
| Fait son entrée dans cette chambre | Makes its entrance into this room |
| Moi… Dans la maison vide | Me … In the empty house |
| Dans la chambre vide | In the empty room |
| Je passe* la nuit à écouter | I spend the night listening to |
| Cette* symphonie | This symphony |
| Aujourd’hui finie | Now finished |
| Et qui me rappelle* | But that reminds me |
| Que tu étais belle | That you were beautiful |
| Moi… Dans la maison vide | Me … in the empty house |
| Dans la chambre vide | In the empty room |
| Je passe* ma vie à regarder | I spend my life watching |
| Les oiseaux qui passent | The birds that go by |
| Comme* des menaces | Like threats |
| Et j’entends l’automne | And I hear the fall |
| Je n’attends personne… | I’m not waiting for anyone… |
| Moi… Dans la maison vide | Me … In this empty house |
| Dans la chambre vide | In this empty room |
| Je passe* ma vie à écouter | I spend my life listening to |
| Cette symphonie | This symphony |
| Qui était si belle | That was so beautiful |
| Et qui me rappelle* | And that reminds me |
| Un amour fini… | Of a love that is no more |
| Moi… Dans la maison vide | Me … In the empty house |
| Dans la chambre vide | In the empty room |
| Je passe* ma vie à regarder | I spend my live watching |
| Les oiseaux qui passent | The birds go by |
| Comme* des menaces | Like threats |
| Et j’entends l’automne | And I hear the wall |
| Moi je n’attends personne… | But I’m not waiting for anyone |
^ I could not find any definitive proof, but one might imagine that Polnareff’s reference to violins and autumn references another famous song (and poem) that picks up the theme … and that played a part in la seconde Guerre Mondiale. For an updated take (or sorts) check out this great ’80’s song from the French group Gouts de luxe (Expensive Tastes).
* Notice the emphasis that Polnareff adds to the ‘e’ at the end of certain words. While the final ‘e’ is usually silent in French, remember that sometimes you can pronounce it.
You can enjoy another Polnareff song with les paroles (lyrics) and translation here.
Cover image from Pixabay (via Pexels.com).
Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.
About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.