Ecoute
Bernard Lavilliers Lyrics
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Écoute les arbres déplumés qui demandent merci
Écoute l'araignée de ta tête qui réclame son dû
Pour le dérèglement l'alcool et la vertu
L'alcool et la vertu
Regarde la vision des vieux roses dans un enfer violet
Regarde la famille et la mort et la vie qui se tait
Regarde l'homme d'affaires responsable le fric et l'esclavage
Le naufrage de la poésie et de l'image
Poésie et image
Tous ces adolescents passagers du désir
Et les nappes de sang qui faussent l'avenir
Les femmes abandonnées qui chantent un requiem
Aux enfants du hasard et leurs grands yeux brûlés
Et leurs grands yeux brûlés
Écoute tous les mots que je lance me reviennent en plein cœur
Écoute et même le silence ne me fait pas de fleur
Regarde le vieux corbeau bancal d'un noir idéaliste
A bien inscrit mon nom quelque part sur sa liste
Quelque part sur sa liste
The lyrics to Bernard Lavilliers's song "Ecoute" contain several themes that invite the listener to listen and observe the world around them. The first verse describes listening to the passing of blood through hardened arteries, which may symbolize aging and mortality. The next line tells us to listen to the trees, which have been stripped of their leaves and ask for mercy, possibly due to the destruction caused by humans. The third line talks about the spider in our head that demands its due for the imbalance caused by alcohol and vice.
The song then moves into the second verse, which encourages us to look and observe the world around us. The lines speak of old roses in a purple hell, possibly referring to a chaotic or dystopian world. We are asked to look at family, death, and silenced lives, perhaps alluding to the suffering and injustices experienced by marginalized groups. The next line directs our gaze towards corporate greed and the enslavement that stems from it. The final line speaks of the sinking of poetry and the image, suggesting that the world is losing its beauty and creativity.
Overall, "Ecoute" urges its listeners to pay attention and to be aware of the world around them. It encourages us to listen, observe, and question, and to be conscious of the impact we have on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Écoute le passage du sang dans tes artères durcies
Pay attention to the flow of blood through your hardened arteries
Écoute les arbres déplumés qui demandent merci
Listen to the naked trees that beg for mercy
Écoute l'araignée de ta tête qui réclame son dû
Listen to the spider in your head demanding what's rightfully theirs
Pour le dérèglement l'alcool et la vertu
For the disruption caused by alcohol and virtue
L'alcool et la vertu
Alcohol and virtue
Regarde la vision des vieux roses dans un enfer violet
Observe the sight of old roses in a purple hell
Regarde la famille et la mort et la vie qui se tait
Contemplate family, death, and life falling silent
Regarde l'homme d'affaires responsable le fric et l'esclavage
Look at the businessman accountable for money and slavery
Le naufrage de la poésie et de l'image
The shipwreck of poetry and imagery
Poésie et image
Poetry and imagery
Tous ces adolescents passagers du désir
All those teenagers being carried away by desire
Et les nappes de sang qui faussent l'avenir
And the bloodstains that falsify the future
Les femmes abandonnées qui chantent un requiem
The abandoned women who sing a requiem
Aux enfants du hasard et leurs grands yeux brûlés
For the children of fate with their burning eyes
Et leurs grands yeux brûlés
And their burning eyes
Écoute tous les mots que je lance me reviennent en plein cœur
Hear how all the words I throw come back to me full circle
Écoute et même le silence ne me fait pas de fleur
Listen, and even the silence doesn't give me any breaks
Regarde le vieux corbeau bancal d'un noir idéaliste
Observe the old, unsteady, idealistic, black raven
A bien inscrit mon nom quelque part sur sa liste
Who has nicely written my name somewhere on their list
Quelque part sur sa liste
Somewhere on their list
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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