The Partisan
16 Horsepower Lyrics
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I was cautioned to surrender,
this I could not do;
I took my gun and vanished.
I have changed my name so often,
I've lost my wife and children
but I have many friends,
An old woman gave us shelter,
Kept us hidden in the garret,
then the soldiers came;
she died without a whisper.
There were three of us this morning
I'm the only one this evening
but I must go on;
the frontiers are my prison.
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll come from the shadows.
Les Allemands étaient chez moi,
ils me dirent, "Résigne toi,"
mais je n'ai pas peur;
j'ai repris mon âme.
(The Germans were at my home
They said, "Sign yourself,"
But I am not afraid
I have retaken my soul.)
J'ai changé cent fois de nom,
j'ai perdu femme et enfants
mais j'ai tant d'amis;
j'ai la France entière.
(I've changed names a hundred times
I have lost wife and children
But I have so many friends
I have all of France)
Un vieil homme dans un grenier
pour la nuit nous a caché,
les Allemands l'ont pris;
il est mort sans surprise.
(An old man, in an attic
Hid us for the night
The Germans captured him
He died without surprise.)
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll come from the shadows.
The song "The Partisan" by 16 Horsepower is a cover of the French song "La Complainte du partisan," which tells the story of the French Resistance during World War II. The lyrics describe the life of a man who has been forced to change his name, lose his family to war, and live in hiding with his friends. Despite the danger he faces, he refuses to give in, preferring to fight for his freedom, even if it means living with the constant fear of being caught.
The first verse speaks of the man's refusal to surrender when soldiers invade his country, leading him to take up arms and go into hiding. The second verse describes the man's life in hiding, changing his name and losing his family, but finding hope and solace in the loyalty of his friends. The third verse is a poignant depiction of the sacrifices made by ordinary citizens, such as an old woman who gave them shelter but died in the process. The final line of each verse is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the message of hope for a better future.
The French lyrics in the bridge add an additional layer of meaning to the song. The man recalls being told to "sign himself" by the Germans but refuses to do so, determined to keep his soul intact. He also reflects on the many losses he has suffered: changing his name, losing his family, but finding solace in the fact that he has an entire country on his side. The final line of the bridge echoes the hope expressed throughout the song, with the singer anticipating the day when freedom will come and the resistance fighters will be able to emerge from hiding.
Line by Line Meaning
When they poured across the border
As people came across the border, I was advised to surrender, but I disagreed and disappeared with my weapon.
I have changed my name so often
I have switched my identity many times and the result of that is the loss of my family, but I have many allies including some among me.
An old woman gave us shelter
We were provided with safety by an elderly woman who gave us lodging in an attic. Later, the soldiers discovered us and she perished quietly.
There were three of us this morning
This morning, we were three fighters, but at present, I am the only one still alive, and I will carry on in the fight as the borders still exist as barriers for us.
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing
The gusts of wind are so strong that they blow over the graves, but it also symbolizes the idea of change and how it's constant in life. Soon, freedom will come, and we'll make ourselves known.
Les Allemands étaient chez moi, ils me dirent, "Résigne toi,"
The Germans came to my home and told me to resign my spirit, but I wasn't scared and instead regained my soul.
J'ai changé cent fois de nom, j'ai perdu femme et enfants mais j'ai tant d'amis; j'ai la France entière.
I have changed my name one hundred times and in the process, lost my family. Nevertheless, I have plenty of friends, and effectively, I have all of France behind me.
Un vieil homme dans un grenier pour la nuit nous a caché, les Allemands l'ont pris; il est mort sans surprise.
We stayed the night hidden in the attic of an old man who saved us. The Germans took him and he died without protest.
freedom soon will come; then we'll come from the shadows.
Soon, freedom will arrive and we'll no longer have to hide. We will be liberated from the constraints we once faced and will come out of hiding.
Contributed by Gabriella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrea Castangia
When they poured across the border
I was cautioned to surrender,
This I could not do;
I took my gun and vanished.
I have changed my name so often,
I have lost my wife and children
but I have many friends,
and some of them are with me.
An old woman gave us shelter,
Kept us hidden in the garret,
Then the soldiers came;
She died without a whisper.
There were three of us this morning
I'm the only one this evening
but I must go on;
the frontiers are my prison.
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
Through the graves the wind is blowing,
Freedom soon will come;
Then we'll come from the shadow.
Les Allemands étaient chez moi,
Ils me dirent, "Resigne-toi",
Mais je n'ai pas peur;
J'ai repris mon arme.
J'ai changé cent fois de nom,
J'ai perdu femme et enfants
Mais j'ai tant d'amis,
J'ai la France entière.
Un vieil homme dans un grenier
Pour la nuit nous a caché,
Les Allemands l'ont pris;
Il est mort sans surprise.
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
Through the graves the wind is blowing,
Freedom soon will come;
Then we'll come from the shadow.
Tony ToneR
Que de talents dans cette musique, une reprise de Léonard Cohen par Cantat et les 16 c'est juste monstrueux et le réusltat est plein de tout...
Emily Zurstrassen
Très intéressant la polyphonie, l'agencement des différentes textures vocales, quelle force, ça prend aux tripes !
Andrea Castangia
When they poured across the border
I was cautioned to surrender,
This I could not do;
I took my gun and vanished.
I have changed my name so often,
I have lost my wife and children
but I have many friends,
and some of them are with me.
An old woman gave us shelter,
Kept us hidden in the garret,
Then the soldiers came;
She died without a whisper.
There were three of us this morning
I'm the only one this evening
but I must go on;
the frontiers are my prison.
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
Through the graves the wind is blowing,
Freedom soon will come;
Then we'll come from the shadow.
Les Allemands étaient chez moi,
Ils me dirent, "Resigne-toi",
Mais je n'ai pas peur;
J'ai repris mon arme.
J'ai changé cent fois de nom,
J'ai perdu femme et enfants
Mais j'ai tant d'amis,
J'ai la France entière.
Un vieil homme dans un grenier
Pour la nuit nous a caché,
Les Allemands l'ont pris;
Il est mort sans surprise.
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
Through the graves the wind is blowing,
Freedom soon will come;
Then we'll come from the shadow.
René Rockx
thank you for the lyrics , Andrea !!!
Monique Duet
merci beaucoup Andrea pour nous avoir copié ce beau texte
Barry White Gone Wrong - Peter
written by Leonard Cohen
Robert Kowalewski
Les Allemands étaient chez moi
Ils me dirent, "résigne toi"
Mais je n'ai pas peur
J'ai repris mon âme
Léo Perrin
This song got me crying, every bloody time
Ogel Smogel
God damn it, Dave. All my emotional walls I put up, you tear them down so easily every time I hear you sing.
Hlynur Gambetti
How impressive! Formidable! This performance is so moving!