Souchon signed his first contract in 1971, but had no success until he began to collaborate with composer/arranger Laurent Voulzy ; they would write together, but each released albums under his own name. Souchon's first hit was "J'ai 10 ans" (1974), from the album of the same name. Souchon's biggest hit was probably "Foule Sentimentale" from 1995's C'est Deja ca. His recent album is from 2005, called La Vie Theodore which features his song "Et si en plus, y'a personne" [What if, even more, there is no one], a song condemning religious intolerance.
He wrote the theme for François Truffaut's 1979 film Love on the Run (L'amour en fuite).
Et si en plus y'a personne
Alain Souchon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et si le ciel était vide
Tant de processions, tant de têtes inclinées
Tant de capuchons tant de peur souhaitées
Tant de démagogues de Temples de Synagogues
Tant de mains pressées, de prières empressées
Tant d'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
Abderhamane, Martin, David
Et si le ciel était vide
Il y a tant de torpeurs
De musiques antalgiques
Tant d'anti-douleurs dans ces jolis cantiques
Il y a tant de questions et tant de mystères
Tant de compassions et tant de révolvers
Tant d'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
Arour hachem, Inch Allah
Are Krishhna, Alléluia
Abderhamane, Martin, David
Et si le ciel était vide
Si toutes les balles traçantes
Toutes les armes de poing
Toutes les femmes ignorantes
Ces enfants orphelins
Si ces vies qui chavirent
Ces yeux mouillés
Ce n'était que le vieux plaisir
De zigouiller
Et l'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
Et l'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
The song Et si en plus y'a personne by Alain Souchon is a commentary on the emptiness of religious rituals and ceremonies, and the violence and chaos that persists in the absence of a true spiritual connection. The lyrics open with Abderhamane, Martin, and David, presumably representatives of different religious traditions, contemplating the possibility of an empty sky. The image of so many processions and people bowing their heads is juxtaposed with the desire for fear and demagoguery that motivates some of these religious leaders.
The chorus repeats the sound of an angelus bell ringing, emphasizing the hollowness of these religious acts if nobody is there to hear them. The second verse continues the critique of religion, with the suggestion that the soothing music and painkillers of religious ceremonies can distract from more pressing questions and mysteries. The compassion of religion is also seen as tainted by the presence of "so many bullets, guns, and ignorant women," all of which contribute to children becoming orphans and lives being lost.
The final verse brings these ideas to a head, with the suggestion that the violence and chaos is only a "pleasure" for those who choose to kill. The repetition of the angelus bell underscores the point that these empty religious rituals are powerless to prevent this violence.
Overall, the song is a powerful critique of the role of religion in society, suggesting that it can do more harm than good when it becomes a tool for fear and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Abderhamane, Martin, David
The opening line mentions three names, possibly referring to individuals who are representative of different cultures.
Et si le ciel était vide
The phrase 'Et si le ciel était vide' translates to 'What if the sky was empty?' and could imply a sense of hopelessness or despair.
Tant de processions, tant de têtes inclinées
The song references the many religious processions and bowed heads, suggesting a form of ritual or tradition followed without necessarily questioning the meaning behind it.
Tant de capuchons tant de peur souhaitées
This line refers to a lot of caps or hoods worn, perhaps indicating a sense of people hiding their true identities or intentions.
Tant de démagogues de Temples de Synagogues
Here, the song points out the prevalence of political leaders and religious institutions that use their power to influence and control people for their own gain.
Tant de mains pressées, de prières empressées
This line describes the hurried nature of people's actions and prayers, perhaps reflecting a sense of urgency or anxiety.
Tant d'angélus
This phrase refers to the Catholic prayer called 'Angelus' that is traditionally recited three times a day (morning, midday, and evening) to commemorate the Annunciation.
Ding
The word 'Ding' is the sound of a bell or chime, which is traditionally rung when reciting the Angelus.
Qui résonne
This line is a continuation of the previous one, referring to the sound of the church bell.
Et si en plus
This line translates to 'And if on top of that', suggesting that the emptiness of the sky and the rushed prayers are already a cause for concern.
Y'a personne
This line translates to 'There is no one', highlighting the absence of someone to hear or respond to the prayers being made.
Il y a tant de torpeurs
This line suggests that there is a lot of sluggishness or inertia in society and people's attitudes.
De musiques antalgiques
This line refers to the use of music as a painkiller or a way to distract oneself from reality.
Tant d'anti-douleurs dans ces jolis cantiques
This line continues the theme of using prayer and song as a way to relieve pain, but also alludes to how these practices can be manipulated and used to maintain a sense of control over the masses.
Il y a tant de questions et tant de mystères
This line highlights the many unanswered questions and mysteries in life.
Tant de compassions et tant de révolvers
The line juxtaposes the concept of compassion (empathy and kindness) with the image of guns and violence, highlighting the double standards and hypocrisy in society.
Arour hachem, Inch Allah, Are Krishhna, Alléluia
These phrases are all references to various religious traditions, suggesting that the issues mentioned in the song are not unique to any one culture or belief system.
Si toutes les balles traçantes
This line refers to bullets or weapons that leave visible marks or traces, which can be seen as a metaphor for the lasting impact of violence on individuals and society as a whole.
Toutes les armes de poing
Here, the song references handguns, which are easy to carry and conceal, but can cause significant damage with just a single shot.
Toutes les femmes ignorantes
This line sheds light on the plight of uneducated women who are often marginalized and oppressed in society.
Ces enfants orphelins
The song highlights the vulnerability of children who have lost their parents, and how they can be easily manipulated or taken advantage of by those in power.
Si ces vies qui chavirent
This line refers to lives that are thrown into chaos or turmoil, possibly due to violence or other traumatic experiences.
Ces yeux mouillés
This line describes the tears and sadness that often accompany such experiences.
Ce n'était que le vieux plaisir
This line alludes to how violence and killing can sometimes be seen as sources of entertainment or pleasure for certain individuals.
Lyrics © LES EDITIONS ALAIN SOUCHON
Written by: Alain Souchon, Laurent Voulzy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Aubry39
Abderhamane, Martin, David
Et si le ciel était vide
Tant de processions, tant de têtes inclinées
Tant de capuchons tant de peur souhaitées
Tant de démagogues de Temples de Synagogues
Tant de mains pressées, de prières empressées
Tant d'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
Abderhamane, Martin, David
Et si le ciel était vide
Il y a tant de torpeurs
De musiques antalgiques
Tant d'anti-douleurs dans ces jolis cantiques
Il y a tant de questions et tant de mystères
Tant de compassions et tant de révolvers
Tant d'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
Arour hachem, Inch Allah
Are Krishhna, Alléluia
Abderhamane, Martin, David
Et si le ciel était vide
Si toutes les balles traçantes
Toutes les armes de poing
Toutes les femmes ignorantes
Ces enfants orphelins
Si ces vies qui chavirent
Ces yeux mouillés
Ce n'était que le vieux plaisir
De zigouiller
Et l'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
Et l'angélus
Ding
Qui résonne
Et si en plus
Ding
Y'a personne
@chantaltrocherie4166
cette chanson n'est pas passée souvent dans les radios , on comprends pourquoi!!la religion arrange tellement de puissants!
@TheThunderwars
Je suis catholique pratiquant et pour autant je trouve cette chanson sublime . La religion, c'est beau , mais il ne faut jamais oublier les dérives qui sont liées à celle-ci ...
@pierressauvagesdebelcastel6161
Merci pour votre témoignage. La non-croyante que je suis en comprend toute la valeur.
@pascalc.3800
Cette chanson est un chef d'œuvre : très bel hymne au doute, à la tolérance face aux fanatismes de toutes sortes qui obscurcissent notre époque
@maudzarella6228
J adore le texte , la musique tout sur nos croyances "magnifique" SOUCHON
@maudzarella6228
Tout esr dit par Pascal
@brunobuck3425
@@maudzarella6228 qqqqqqq!
@Alix777.
"De toutes sortes" arrêtez l'hypocrisie
@vertbouteille9452
À monsieur Paty , professeur tué par l’obscurantisme et l’ignorance, qu’il repose en paix ✌️
@francoiseaugustin433
tg