Corbel now lives in Paris and performs in France and abroad. Her music blends ancient poems and compositions, celtic tunes and Mediterranean influences. She was noticed during her concerts and had the opportunity to play with the greatest “world music” artists:
The Riddle
Cécile Corbel Lyrics
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Blessings of Babylon
Time to carry on and try
For sins and false alarms
So to America the brave
Wise men save
Near a tree by a river
Where an old man of Aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight over you
I got plans for us
Nights in the scullery
And days instead of me
I only know what to discuss
Oh, for anything but light
Wise men fighting over you
It's not me you see
Pieces of valentine
And just a song of mine
To keep from burning history
Seasons of gasoline and gold
Wise men fold
Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of Aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight over you
I got time to kill
Sly looks in corridors
Without a plan of yours
A blackbird sings on bluebird hill
Thanks to the calling of the wild
Wise men's child
Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of Aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight
Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of Aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight over you
No, he'll never, never fight over you
The lyrics of the song "The Riddle" by Cécile Corbel are open to interpretation, but the lyrics could be about the journey of a person searching for meaning and purpose in their life. The song begins with the declaration of having "two strong arms" and "blessings of Babylon" which could be interpreted as the person feeling powerful and supported. However, the next line suggests that they carry a load of "sins and false alarms" that they must try to overcome. The next line seems to make a patriotic reference to "America the brave" and "wise men save," perhaps referring to the idea of seeking knowledge in America.
The next verse is more abstract, describing an old man of Aran, who goes around and around near a tree by a river, with a mind that is a "beacon in the veil of the night." This imagery could be reflecting the idea of searching for wisdom and knowledge in strange places. The lyrics go on to say that there is a "wrong and a right" but the old man of Aran will "never fight over you," meaning that he won't impose his views on others.
The final verse speaks more to personal desire, with the persona having "plans for us" that include "nights in the scullery" and "days instead of me." However, they "only know what to discuss," suggesting that perhaps they lack direction in their life. The song ends with a repetition of the idea of the old man of Aran as a beacon of wisdom who will "never fight over you."
Line by Line Meaning
I got two strong arms
I have the strength to face whatever comes my way
Blessings of Babylon
I am grateful for the positive things in my life
Time to carry on and try
It's time to move forward and keep trying
For sins and false alarms
Despite past mistakes and false alarms
So to America the brave
Onwards to a brave new world
Wise men save
I trust in the wisdom and guidance of those who have come before me
Near a tree by a river
In a peaceful, natural setting
There's a hole in the ground
There is a mysterious and intriguing hole
Where an old man of Aran
Inhabited by an old man from the island of Aran, steeped in Irish mythology
Goes around and around
Continually circling the hole
And his mind is a beacon
His mind is a guiding light, even in the darkness
In the veil of the night
In the darkness and mystery of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
In a unique, intriguing manner
There's a wrong and a right
There is both right and wrong in the world
But he'll never, never fight over you
He will not get involved in personal conflicts and disputes
I got plans for us
I have dreams and aspirations for our future
Nights in the scullery
Simplicity and intimacy are what I desire
And days instead of me
I want to spend my days focused on more meaningful pursuits
I only know what to discuss
I am confident in what I want to talk about and share with others
Oh, for anything but light
I seek substance and depth in life, not just frivolity and superficiality
Wise men fighting over you
Those with greater knowledge and understanding may desire your attention
It's not me you see
What you see is not the true me
Pieces of valentine
Only fragments of my heart and affection are revealed
And just a song of mine
This is just a small piece of who I am
To keep from burning history
To preserve the past and avoid making the same mistakes
Seasons of gasoline and gold
Times of change and volatility, both good and bad
Wise men fold
Even those with great knowledge and understanding may falter and fail at times
I got time to kill
I have extra time to spend as I please
Sly looks in corridors
Opportunities for secret glances and hidden interactions
Without a plan of yours
Without the need for structured planning or control
A blackbird sings on bluebird hill
Even in difficult times, there is beauty to be found
Thanks to the calling of the wild
This sense of peace and wonder comes from being connected to nature
Wise men's child
I am learning and growing, like a child under the guidance of wise mentors
No, he'll never, never fight over you
I will not compete or fight for your attention, I am content in my own wisdom and understanding
Contributed by Skyler G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.