La vie
Billy Sprague Lyrics
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Sitting in airports mad and frustrated and waiting for love to arrive
My grandmother, Myrtle, has outlasted two husbands
all of her sisters, brothers, and cousins and wonders why she's still alive.
But she smiles and she'll tell ya
Trouble won't kill ya, 'cause if it did, she would've died.
[Chorus]
Mais Dieu es bon si bon
Through the fire and the rain, I call him by name
And when the night is long, I remember mais Dieu es bon
Got a sister in Texas who married an out-law
Then realized he wasn't what she thought
Now she finds that he's doing time
My dear friend Bonita came down with cancer
And I came down hard looking for answers
Under a silent dark sky
but to see her you'd wonder how after the thunder
There's still a light in her eye.
[Chorus]
Some say tighten your grip keep a stiff upper lip
Life goes on, but the stoics are wrong.
They know half of the story and none of the glory
For they do not know Dieu es bon
[Chorus]x2
In Billy Sprague's song "La Vie," he shares his experiences on the road and how he both loves and hates it. While waiting in airports frustrated and looking for love, he compares himself to his grandmother, Myrtle, who has outlasted two husbands, all of her siblings, and wonders why she's still alive. Myrtle may have encountered many troubles, but she still smiles and believes that trouble won't kill you because if it did, she would be dead. The song's title, "La Vie," meaning life in French, sets the tone for the overall message of the song, which is that life can be challenging and tough, but ultimately, through faith in God, one can overcome any obstacle.
The chorus of the song, "Oh, la vie est dure, that much is sure, Mais Dieu es bon si bon. Through the fire and the rain, I call him by name. And when the night is long, I remember mais Dieu es bon," is repeated multiple times throughout the song. This chorus emphasizes that life is indeed hard and challenging, but God is good, and through faith and calling upon His name, one can find comfort and peace even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
My life on the road, oh I love it and I hate it,
Traveling for my career can be uplifting and exhausting.
Sitting in airports mad and frustrated and waiting for love to arrive
Waiting for what I want can lead to anger and impatience.
My grandmother, Myrtle, has outlasted two husbands all of her sisters, brothers, and cousins and wonders why she's still alive.
Myrtle is surprised she's still here, having watched so many loved ones die before her.
But she smiles and she'll tell ya Trouble won't kill ya, 'cause if it did, she would've died.
Myrtle believes the hardships of life make you stronger and resistant to future trouble.
Got a sister in Texas who married an out-law Then realized he wasn't what she thought Now she finds that he's doing time
My sister's poor choice of partner led to consequences she didn't foresee.
My dear friend Bonita came down with cancer And I came down hard looking for answers Under a silent dark sky but to see her you'd wonder how after the thunder There's still a light in her eye.
Bonita's diagnosis shook me, but her resilience in the face of illness is inspiring.
Oh, la vie est dure, that much is sure, Mais Dieu es bon si bon Through the fire and the rain, I call him by name And when the night is long, I remember mais Dieu es bon
Life is hard, but I find comfort in calling on God during difficult times.
Some say tighten your grip keep a stiff upper lip Life goes on, but the stoics are wrong.
Being stoic and unexpressive during trials isn't helpful, as life requires emotional processing and expression.
They know half of the story and none of the glory For they do not know Dieu es bon
Failing to rely on God means missing out on the hope and positivity that can be found in even the hardest moments of life.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.