L’Encre de tes yeux (“The Ink of Your Eyes”), 1980
This song expresses the pain and frustration of unattainable love. An artist (songwriter) addresses a muse who inspires all his work. Her eyes and smile provide both the ink and the words for him to compose and write. Social constraints, however, make the relationship impossible (“on ne vivra jamais tous les deux”) because both are bound by chains (“des chaînes”) that involve others (“ils”) who have prevailing morality on their side. They dreamed of Venice and freedom and she will remain in his dreams and light his world like the rising sun. Should he ever forget her, all his writings will bear the perfume of regret.
The song has 4 stanzas each with 7 lines. The first and last stanzas are identical with an ABAACCA rhyme scheme while the middle two stanzas are ABABCCB.
NB: Francis Cabrel’s first hit song “Petite Marie” released in 1977 was dedicated to his wife Mariette (né Darjo) whom he met in 1970 and married on June 1, 1974. “Petite Marie” was the song with which he won the Sud Radio song competition that same year in Toulouse. Mariette is also thought to have inspired “Je l’aime à mourir” (1979) as well as this song “L’encre de tes yeux” although it does not describe the narrative of their relationship. Given the reference to Venice in the song and its association with freedom, it is notable that Cabrel’s parents originated in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The reference carries a touch of irony, however, since Venice was the setting for literature’s most famous case of love made impossible by social constraints--Romeo and Juliet.
The song has 4 stanzas each with 7 lines. The first and last stanzas are identical with an ABAACCA rhyme scheme while the middle two stanzas are ABABCCB.
NB: Francis Cabrel’s first hit song “Petite Marie” released in 1977 was dedicated to his wife Mariette (né Darjo) whom he met in 1970 and married on June 1, 1974. “Petite Marie” was the song with which he won the Sud Radio song competition that same year in Toulouse. Mariette is also thought to have inspired “Je l’aime à mourir” (1979) as well as this song “L’encre de tes yeux” although it does not describe the narrative of their relationship. Given the reference to Venice in the song and its association with freedom, it is notable that Cabrel’s parents originated in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The reference carries a touch of irony, however, since Venice was the setting for literature’s most famous case of love made impossible by social constraints--Romeo and Juliet.
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Puisqu’on ne vivra jamais tous les deux Puisqu’on est fous, puisqu’on est seuls Puisqu’ils sont si nombreux Même la morale parle pour eux J’aimerais quand même te dire Tout ce que j’ai pu écrire Je l’ai puisé à l’encre de tes yeux Je n’avais pas vu que tu portais des chaînes À trop vouloir te regarder, J’en oubliais les miennes On rêvait de Venise et de liberté J’aimerais quand même te dire Tout ce que j’ai pu écrire C’est ton sourire qui me l’a dicté. Tu viendras longtemps marcher dans mes rêves Tu viendras toujours du côté Où le soleil se lève Et si malgré ça j’arrive à t’oublier J’aimerais quand même te dire Tout ce que j’ai pu écrire Aura longtemps le parfum des regrets. Mais puisqu’on ne vivra jamais tous les deux Puisqu’on est fous, puisqu’on est seuls Puisqu’ils sont si nombreux Même la morale parle pour eux J’aimerais quand même te dire Tout ce que j’ai pu écrire Je l’ai puisé à l’encre de tes yeux |
Since we will never live together Since we’re crazy, because we’re alone Since there are so many of them Even morality speaks for them I would like anyhow to tell you Everything I was able to write I drew it from the ink of your eyes. I never saw that you wore chains Out of wanting too much to look at you I forgot my own We dreamed of Venice and of freedom I would any like anyhow to tell you Everything I was able to write It is your smile that dictated it to me. You will walk in my dreams for a long time You will always come from the side Where the sun rises And if, despite all that, I ever forget you I would like anyhow to tell you Everything I was able to write Will bear for long the scent of regrets. But since we will never live together Since we’re crazy, because we’re alone Since there are so many of them Even morality speaks for them I would like anyhow to tell you Everyuthing I was able to write I drew it from the ink of your eyes. |
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