Ne Me Quitte Pas Lyrics
Il faut oublier
Tout peut s'oublier
Qui s'enfuit déjà
Oublier le temps
Des malentendus
Et le temps perdu
A savoir comment
Oublier ces heures
Qui tuaient parfois
A coups de pourquoi
Le coeur du bonheur
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Des perles de pluie
Venues de pays
Ou il ne pleut pas
Je creuserai la terre
Jusqu'apres ma mort
Pour couvrir ton corps
D'or et de lumière
Je ferai un domaine
Où l'amour sera roi
Où l'amour sera loi
Où tu seras reine
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Je t'inventerai
Des mots insensés
Que tu comprendras
Je te parlerai
De ces amants-là
Qui ont vu deux fois
Leurs coeurs s'embraser
Je te raconterai
L'histoire de ce roi
Mort de n'avoir pas
Pu te rencontrer
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Rejaillir le feu
D'un ancien volcan
Qu'on croyait trop vieux
Il est paraît-il
Des terres brûlées
Donnant plus de blé
Qu'un meilleur avril
Et quand vient le soir
Pour qu'un ciel flamboie
Le rouge et le noir
Ne s'épousent-ils pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Je ne vais plus pleurer
Je ne vais plus parler
Je me cacherai là
A te regarder
Danser et sourire
Et à t'écouter
Chanter et puis rire
Laisse-moi devenir
L'ombre de ton ombre
L'ombre de ta main
L'ombre de ton chien
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas.
Thanks Venus in Mohair - I agree with you.
So, as another American who speaks 6 languages, I would like to say that the above translations - more or less literal - fail to capture the passion that is expressed in the French original, which is why I would translate it (albeit more liberally), as follows:
Do not leave me. One must forget that which is bygone. Everything can be forgotten - Forget the instances of misunderstandings and of the moments lost. Knowing how to forget the hours that sometimes killed the very heart of happiness
- with all their Why's. Do not leave me. (4x)
I will offer you pearls made of raindrops, found in countries where it never rains. I will traverse the Earth, until after I'm gone, only to cover your body with gold and with sunlight. I will establish a kingdom where Love will be king, where Love will rule, and you will be Queen. Do not leave me. (4x)
Do not leave me. I will invent for you nonsensical words which only you will understand. I will tell you stories about the lovers whose hearts have been twice ablaze, and of that king who died for not having met you. Do not leave me.
One has often seen a fire erupting out an ancient volcano, thought to be extinct. And it seems that a scorched earth could give more wheat than in the best of springs. And when the evening falls do the red and the black not unite in order for sky to be set aflame? Do not leave me.
Do not leave me. I will no longer cry. I will no longer talk. I will just hide where I can look at you dance and smile, and listen to you sing and then laugh. Let me become the shadow of your shadow the shadow of your hand the shadow of your dog. Do not leave me. (4x)
Do not leave me. One must forget that which is bygone. Everything can be forgotten - The instances of misunderstandings and all the moments lost. Knowing how to forget the hours that sometimes killed the essence (or the very heart) of happiness
- with all the doubts (or why's). Do not leave me... (4x)
it's interesting- brel said this song isn't about heartbreak, exactly. it's about the cowardice of men (wikipedia)
in any case this song drips romantic love to a level that i think is almost cheesy. but the lyrics are so poignant and original that the emotion couldnt possibly have been faked.
sorry i cant contribute anything to the meaning of the song- anyway i think it's obvious what he's trying to say he repeats it 4 times in the chorus (which is also so effective! i love jacques brel!)
to aurore: yes he did sweats a Lot! i noticed that!!! hahaha!
I think this is one of the most stunning songs ever lyrically, and I agree with your second paragraph.that it's gushing almost to the point of cheesiness, but the way he puts everything makes you believe every word he says.
I think this is one of the most stunning songs ever lyrically, and I agree with your second paragraph.that it's gushing almost to the point of cheesiness, but the way he puts everything makes you believe every word he says.
I can also see what he meant about it being about the cowardice of men, since it almost seems like he's obsessively stalking the woman by the end of the song. Like he's satisfied with quietly following her every move if she doesn't want to actively be with him. To me it doesn't seem cowardly until that...
I can also see what he meant about it being about the cowardice of men, since it almost seems like he's obsessively stalking the woman by the end of the song. Like he's satisfied with quietly following her every move if she doesn't want to actively be with him. To me it doesn't seem cowardly until that point where he's unwilling to accept her lack of interest and leave her alone.
I've grown up to this music and all things "Brel".
When interviewed on the subject and hailed for having written one of the greatest love songs of all times, I've always heard that he'd reply that it was not a love song. That it was in fact the opposite of a love song and it was a sort of warning not to allow himself sink that deep, if you will.
That being said, we can all relate to the desperation brought on by love starting to slip away. That tipping point in a relationship when you know everything has changed yet aren't ready or willing to let go. And he captures this emotion brilliantly.
It is one of the greatest songs ever written. Period.
So, according to wikipedia :) Brel said in an interview that this song was not about heartbreak but was about the cowardice of men. Wikipedia is not always true but I can easily understand why Brel would say this. Men always cling to women and to love and feelings even when it's over. That's very coward. It means that men don't accept reality and fight lost battles instead of trying to fall in love with another person who would be, at last, the "good one"... So, maybe he is half serious and half ironic. It's a kind of self-derision and mockery of all men who once tried to reconquer a lover who was gone. (damn, I'm in! ;) He talks about "Ne me quitte pas" in a song called "le cheval" where he basically says that he regretted to have written it.
Jacques Brel performed this song live so beautifully!
NO comments ?!
Ok, I understand, this is an American site and most of the members are American as well probably, so they don't know the song.. (and even if you Americans would recognize the song: you guys wouldn't understand a word ! We all know that Americans only speak 1 language, their English)
I come from Belgium, and so is the singer, Jacques Brel. In Belgium they speak Dutch and French. Brel was a french speaker, I am a Dutch speaker, but I understand and speak French véry well.
In Belgium, this song is chosen to be the best song made by a Belgian, even better than 'Dominique' by the Singing Non (that number was on 1 on your billboards in the sixties, Americans !!)
It's a very tragical song, with piano and also a bit violin. 'On a vu souvent Rejaillir le feu De l'ancien volcan Qu'on croyait trop vieux' => these lines are just soo powerful ! Astounding!
O yeah; Ne me quitte pas means Don't leave me (alone).
You come across as pompous and ignorant in this post. You've assumed that just because there were no comments at the time you posted that somehow americans are all idiots and can only speak one language. What are you basing that on? You're stereotyping an entire race based on a lack of comments on a website. Who's the ignorant one here?
You come across as pompous and ignorant in this post. You've assumed that just because there were no comments at the time you posted that somehow americans are all idiots and can only speak one language. What are you basing that on? You're stereotyping an entire race based on a lack of comments on a website. Who's the ignorant one here?
Good for you, you can speak more than one language. What do you want? A portion of fries?
Good for you, you can speak more than one language. What do you want? A portion of fries?
childintime, you are an ass. In the US the most prevalent languages are English and Spanish...or a combo of the two. And since you are from Belgium one could say you speak an ass backward version of French...or at least the accent is horrible. And as an American, I can speak English, Spanish, and French. So, fous la comp
childintime, you are an ass. In the US the most prevalent languages are English and Spanish...or a combo of the two. And since you are from Belgium one could say you speak an ass backward version of French...or at least the accent is horrible. And as an American, I can speak English, Spanish, and French. So, fous la comp
yeah this song is incredible. though i understand just a few lines ;)
greetz form germany
I don't speak french but this is the most beautiful song ever. Just thinking about her makes me a little bit misty. I read somewhere that when it was released it was quite the scandal 'cause people weren't used to see a man in such a desperate position. I mean, he literally humiliates himself. The guy sings about being the "shadow of her dog" just to stay near her or something, that's quite low. I wish I could have seen Brel alive (and well and living in Paris. lol). Just for listening to some live recordings his concerts sounded amazing. Like cathartic or something. Didn't he used to cry while singing this song?
yeah great song and good comment! One of my friends told me this song sucks because nobody should humiliate himself like this and be as low as the shadow of a dog. I think he's quite right and I've never really liked the last verse. But the first 4 verses are wonderful... And I also think it's a kind of catharsis. When he wrote this, he probably knew he was never going to see her again!
yeah great song and good comment! One of my friends told me this song sucks because nobody should humiliate himself like this and be as low as the shadow of a dog. I think he's quite right and I've never really liked the last verse. But the first 4 verses are wonderful... And I also think it's a kind of catharsis. When he wrote this, he probably knew he was never going to see her again!
I don't know if he used to cry, but he used to SWEAT a lot while singing :) Anyway, I tried to translate it in english (it is not an easy task) : Do not leave me We have to forget Everything is forgettable It is already fading away Forgetting the time Of misunderstandings And the time, lost Trying to know how To forget these hours That killed sometimes With their “why’s” The heart of happiness Do not leave me
I will give to you Beads of raindrops Coming from countries Where the rain never comes I will dig the earth Until and after I’m dead To cover your body With gold and light I will create a place Where love will be king Where love will be you Where you will be queen Do not leave me
Do not leave me I will invent for you Words with no sense That you’ll understand I will tell you About these lovers Whose heart have burnt twice I’ll tell you The story of this king Dead for not having had The opportunity to meet you Do not leave me
It has been reported That often fire returns In former volcanoes (??) That were thought to be too old It is said that somewhere Burnt grounds produce more corn That the best springtime season ever known And when the night comes In order for the sky to blaze Red and Black Marry each other Do not leave me
Do not leave me I won’t cry anymore I won’t talk anymore I will hide there Looking at you Dancing and smiling And listening to you Singing, and laughing Let me become The shadow of your shadow The shadow of your hand The shadow of your dog Do not leave me