Blankass (diminutive of 'blanc-cassis', the aperitif with white wine and bl… Read Full Bio ↴Blankass (diminutive of 'blanc-cassis', the aperitif with white wine and blackcurrant), is a French rock group. The band has existed since 1990. However, two musicians of the band already possessed a sound musical reputation at this time. J. Ledoux (guitar, banjo piano, percussion), G. Ledoux (voice, accordion), O. Robineau (drums), N. Combrouze (acoustic guitar), P. Ribeaudeau (flute, sax, mandoline, melodica) and B. Marande (bass)

The new line up (since 2005) :
Guillaume Ledoux : voice, accordéon
Johan Ledoux : Guitar, voice
Charlie Poggio (2006) : Drums
Nicolas Bravin : Rythmic Guitar
Phillipe Ribaudeau : FLute, Sax, Mandoline, Melodica...
Bruno Marande : bass
Cedric Millard : piano, synthe

La belle armée
Blankass Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Paroles : G. et J. LEDOUX/ Musiques : blankass

Il y a longtemps maintenant
Qu'on est plus dans l'air du temps,
Qu'on est plus vraiment présents,
Qu'on est moins nombreux qu'avant.

Le drapeau s'est délavé,

Nos idées noires ont coulé.
Reste le rêve énervé,
Quelques soldats oubliés.

On était la belle armée,
Pas d'uniformes à porter.
On avait la même idée,
Relever les dos courbés.

A crier la liberté,
Le prix fort on a payé.
A l'ouest on nous a brisés,
A l'est on nous a brûlés.

J'avais rêvé d'écouter nos voix se lever,
Gueuler qu'on est un feu de colère allumé.

Aujourd'hui, tout est fané,
Et les gens tristes et rangés,
Auraient besoin d'imiter
La belle armée des révoltés.

On devrait recommencer.
Décoincer le monde entier.
On devrait se rappeler
Les cailloux qu'on a jetés.

J'avais rêvé d'écouter nos voix se lever,
Gueuler qu'on est un feu de colère allumé.

J'avais rêvé d'écouter nos voix se lever,
Gueuler qu'on est un feu de colère allumé

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "La belle armée" by Blankass talk about a group of rebels who have lost their presence in modern times. The song speaks about how this group is much smaller than before and not respected as much as they used to be. They have lost their influence, and their flag has faded away, but all they have left is their dream of changing the world, and their loyalty to each other.

The group is referred to as "La belle armée," which translates to "The Beautiful Army," and the song speaks about how they didn't wear uniforms, but they all had the same ideology of standing up for what is right and fighting for freedom. However, this came with a heavy price, as they were broken in the West and burned in the East, highlighting the struggles and sacrifices they had to make to stand up for their beliefs.

The singer nostalgically remembers the past and wishes that they could relive the moments where they stood together and fought for their cause. The song finishes by stating that it's time to start again and rekindle the fire of rebellion to change the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Il y a longtemps maintenant
It has been a long time now

Qu'on est plus dans l'air du temps,
That we are out of fashion

Qu'on est plus vraiment présents,
That we are not really there anymore

Qu'on est moins nombreux qu'avant.
That we are fewer than before

Le drapeau s'est délavé,
The flag has faded

Nos idées noires ont coulé.
Our black ideas have flowed away

Reste le rêve énervé,
The angry dream remains

Quelques soldats oubliés.
Some forgotten soldiers

On était la belle armée,
We were the beautiful army

Pas d'uniformes à porter.
No uniforms to wear

On avait la même idée,
We had the same idea