Le petit bal perdu
Bourvil Lyrics

C'était tout juste après la guerre
This story takes place shortly after the war.

Dans un petit bal qu'avait souffert
The dancing event was held in a small, run-down ballroom.

Sur une piste de misère
The dance floor was poorly maintained and in very bad condition.

Y en avait deux, à découvert
Two people were visible and open with their romantic feelings for each other.

Parmi les gravats ils dansaient
Despite the debris and damage around them, they kept dancing.

Dans ce petit bal qui s'appelait
The dance was held in a small ballroom, the name of which is not remembered.

Non je n'me souviens plus du nom du bal perdu
The title of the forgotten ballroom is not remembered by the singer.

Ce dont je me souviens c'est de ces amoureux
What the singer does remember are the two lovers and their happiness.

Qui ne regardaient rien autour d'eux
The couple only had eyes for each other and didn't pay attention to their surroundings.

Y avait tant d'insouciance
They were carefree and untroubled.

Dans leurs gestes émus
Their dance moves were full of emotion.

Alors quelle importance le nom du bal perdu
The name of the forgotten ballroom didn't matter, as the couple was the only important thing.

Ils buvaient dans le même verre
They shared the same glass while drinking.

Toujours sans se quitter des yeux
They didn't break eye contact as they drank.

Ils faisaient la même prière
Their prayer was for their everlasting happiness together.

D'être toujours, toujours heureux
They wished for everlasting happiness, always.

Parmi les gravats ils souriaient
They smiled despite the rubble around them.

Non je n'me souviens plus du nom du bal perdu
The name of the dance hall is still not remembered.

Ce dont je me souviens c'est de ces amoureux
What is remembered is the happiness of the couple.

Y avait tant d'insouciance
They continued to be carefree and untroubled.

Dans leurs gestes émus
Their emotions continued to be evident in their dance moves.

Alors quelle importance le nom du bal perdu
Once again, the name of the forgotten dance hall was not important as the couple was all that mattered.

Et puis quand l'accordéoniste
Eventually, the accordion player stopped playing.

S'est arrêté, ils sont partis
The couple left when the music stopped.

Le soir tombait dessus la piste
The evening was settling onto the dance floor.

Sur les gravats et sur ma vie
The debris surrounding the dance floor was a representation of the singer's life.

Il était redevenu tout triste
The ballroom returned to its sad state once again.

Non je n'me souviens plus du nom du bal perdu
Yet again, the name of the forgotten ballroom cannot be recalled.

Ce dont je me souviens c'est de ces amoureux
The couple's love and happiness continue to be the memorable aspect for the singer.

Y avait tant de lumière
There was so much light and happiness.

Avec eux dans la rue
Their happiness spilled out onto the street.

Alors la belle affaire
The forgotten ballroom was not important for their joy to continue.

Le nom du bal perdu
Once again, the name of the forgotten ballroom is not important.

Non je n'me souviens plus du nom du bal perdu
The singer continues to not remember the name of the forgotten ballroom.

Ce dont je me souviens c'est qu'on était heureux
The most important thing is that everyone was happy.

Les yeux au fond des yeux
All that mattered was the connection between the two lovers.

Et c'était bien, et c'était bien
Overall, it was a good and happy experience for everyone.