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Those Dancing Days Are Gone
Carla Bruni Lyrics


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Come, let me sing into your ear
Those dancing days are gone
All that silk and satin gear
Crouch upon a stone

Wrapping that foul body up
In as foul a rag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag

Curse as you may I sing it through
What matter if the knave
That the most could pleasure you
The children that he gave

Somewhere sleeping like a top
Under a marble flag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag

Come, let me sing into your ear
I thought it out this very day
Noon upon the clock
All that silk and satin gear
A man may put pretense away
Who leans upon a stick

May sing and sing until he drop
Whether to maid or hag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag

Come, let me sing into your ear
Those dancing days are gone
All that silk and satin gear
Crouch upon a stone

Wrapping that foul body up
In as foul a rag
I carry the sun in a golden cup
The moon in a silver bag

Overall Meaning

Carla Bruni's song "Those Dancing Days are Gone" speaks of the passing of time and the loss of youthfulness. The first verse describes the glory days of youth with silk and satin clothes and a carefree spirit, but now the singer is crouching on a stone and wrapping their "foul body up in as foul a rag." However, despite the passing of time, the singer carries the sun in a golden cup and the moon in a silver bag, suggesting that they still hold onto the beauty and hope of life.


The second verse speaks of the inevitability of death and the legacy we leave behind. The singer curses their fate but still sings through it, knowing that even if the pleasures of life were short-lived, they still matter. The final verse speaks of the acceptance of aging, one who leans upon a stick may still sing until they drop, whether to maid or hag. The imagery of crouching on a stone and wrapping one's body in rags suggests the feeling of defeat and despair, but the life-giving sun in a golden cup and the glow of the moon in a silver bag speak of the continuation of hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, let me sing into your ear
Listen closely as I share my thoughts


Those dancing days are gone
The joyful times are in the past


All that silk and satin gear
The luxuries of the past have been abandoned


Crouch upon a stone
Live humbly and modestly


Wrapping that foul body up
Disgusted by the human form


In as foul a rag
Disgusted by the cloth that covers it


I carry the sun in a golden cup
I hold the beauty of life close to me


The moon in a silver bag
The mysteries of life are also kept close


Curse as you may I sing it through
I will not let negativity distract me


What matter if the knave
It doesn't matter if someone is deceitful


That the most could pleasure you
If they brought you happiness


The children that he gave
The legacy that remains


Somewhere sleeping like a top
Those who have passed on


Under a marble flag
Buried beneath a monument


A man may put pretense away
One can abandon false appearances


Who leans upon a stick
Even if they need assistance


May sing and sing until he drop
They can keep singing until they're exhausted


Whether to maid or hag
Regardless of social status or appearance




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BUTLER YEATS WILLIAM, CARLA BRUNI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind