I'm translating one Serge Gainsbourg song every day or so, in a misguided attempt to learn to read and write in french. Feel free to help me fix my translations or get me hints about underlying meanings.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Initials B.B.
Translation after the jump...
Une nuit que j'étais
One night that I was A me morfondre
Moping to myself Dans quelque pu anglais
In some english pub Du cœur de Londres
In the heart of London Parcourant l'amour Mon-
Browsing l'Amour Mon- Stre de Pauwels
Ster by Pauwels Me vint une vision
A vision came to me Dans l'eau de Seltz
In the seltzer water
Tandis que des médailles
While the medals D'impérator
of the imperator (Roman Commander) Font briller à sa taille
Shine on her waist Le bronze et l'or
Bronze and gold Le platine lui grave*
Platinum Engraved D'un cercle froid
A cold circle La marque des esclaves
The symbol of slaves A chaque doigt
On each finger
Jusques en haut des cuisses
All the way up to her thighs Elle est bootée
She is booted Et c'est comme un calice
And it's like a chalice A se beauté
Holds her beauty Elle ne porte rien
She wears nothing D'autre qu'un
Other than D'essence de Guerlain
The essence of Guerlain Dans les cheveux
In her hair
A chaque mouvement
With each movement Les clochettes d'argent
Silver bells De ses poignets
On her wrists On entendait
One could hear Agitant ses grelots
Shaking her bells Elle avança
She advanced Et prononça ce mot:
And said the word: "Alméria" "Alméria"
*Thanks to Débordante
Lyrics by Serge Gainsbourg, Translation by Greg Smith
"Le platine lui grave / D'un cercle froid / La marque des esclaves / A chaque doigt" --> here, "grave" is a conjugated form of the verb "graver" (to carve)
This is one of my favorites!
ReplyDelete"Le platine lui grave / D'un cercle froid / La marque des esclaves / A chaque doigt" --> here, "grave" is a conjugated form of the verb "graver" (to carve)