En Cendres Lyrics

Lyric discussion by lullaby12 

Cover art for En Cendres lyrics by Émilie Simon

I'm surprised nobody commented on this song yet, it's one of my favourites by Emilie Simon, and probably one of the saddest ones. I love the "crackling fire sound effects", and the lyrics are really beautiful and bitter, though I don't get it all (like the part about a mysterious "he"), and it overalls speaks of quiet depression, heartache and a person giving up on life and slowly crumbling. I especially like the "je ne fume plus: I don't smoke anymore..." line.

Here's a rough translation, if anyone's interested ^^

I am only a shape with vague outlines With a gloomy gaze, slightly haughty I advance blindly and I am grumpy A room without windows with view on my feet

Chorus : By dint of misunderstandings I am hearing-impaired (originally a pun on the words malentendu-misunderstanding/malentendant-hearing-impaired) And these déjà-vus make me malicious I don’t smoke anymore but I’m going up in ashes (the original one resembles « going up in smoke/flames except it’s ashes) How long will I still have to wait for you

I often hear him whispering on the evening Taking for witness the cement of the damaged walls He promises them beauty but he feels so ugly In front of his(/her) picture on the bedside table

Chorus

I don't smoke anymore but I'm going up in ashes...