Some of his best known songs include "Boum...!", "Y'A D'La Joie", "Que Reste-T-Il De Nos Amours?", "Ménilmontant", and "Douce France". His catalog of songs is enormous, numbering close to a thousand. While many of his songs mined relatively conventional topics such as love, Paris, and nostalgia for his younger days, what set Trenet's songs apart were their personal, poetic, sometimes quite eccentric qualities, often infused with a warm wit. Some of his songs had unconventional subject matter, with whimsical imagery bordering on the surreal. "Y'A D'La Joie" evokes "joy" through a series of disconnected (though all vaguely phallic) images, including that of a subway car shooting out of its tunnel into the air, the Eiffel Tower crossing the street and a baker making excellent bread. The lovers engaged in a minuet in "La Polka Du Roi" reveal themselves at length to be "no longer human": they are made of wax and trapped in the Musée Grévin. Many of his hits from the 1930s and 1940s effectively combine the melodic and verbal nuance of French song with American swing rhythms.
Other artists have had hits with some of Trenet's songs, such as the American Bobby Darin's success with "Beyond the Sea" ("La Mer"). Darin's version preserved the charming chording of Trenet's original which the author dashed off in about an hour in 1946 as an homage to the French coastline, once again free of battleships and the scars of World War II.
Other Trenet songs were recorded by such popular French singers as Maurice Chevalier, Jean Sablon, and Frehel.
L'âme des poètes
Charles Trenet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Après que les poètes ont disparu
Leurs chansons courent encore dans les rues
La foule les chante un peu distraite
En ignorant le nom de l'auteur
Sans savoir pour qui battait leur cœur
Parfois on change un mot, une phrase
Et quand on est à court d'idées
La la la la la la
Longtemps, longtemps, longtemps
Après que les poètes ont disparu
Leurs chansons courent encore dans les rues
Un jour, peut-être, bien après moi
Un jour on chantera
Cet air pour bercer un chagrin
Ou quelqu'heureux destin
Fera-t-il vivre un vieux mendiant
Ou dormir un enfant
Tournera-t-il au bord de l'eau
Au printemps sur un phono
Longtemps, longtemps, longtemps
Après que les poètes ont disparu
Leur âme légère et leurs chansons
Qui rendent gais, qui rendent tristes
Filles et garçons
Bourgeois, artistes
Ou vagabonds.
The song "L'Âme des poètes" by Charles Trenet is a reflection on the lasting impact of poetry, even long after the poets themselves have passed away. The lyrics describe how the songs of these poets continue to be sung in the streets by people who may not even know the names of the authors or understand the emotions behind them. The crowd may change a word or two, and when they run out of ideas, they resort to humming. The song speaks of the power of poetry to transcend time and space and connect people across generations.
The second verse reflects on the idea that the songs of poets will continue to be sung for years to come. Trenet wonders if someday in the future, long after he himself has died, someone will sing this very song to ease their sorrow or celebrate their happiness. The song may bring joy to a beggar or soothe a sleeping child. The melody may play in the background of a romantic scene.
In the final verse, Trenet reflects on the light-hearted nature of poets and their songs, which can appeal to people from all walks of life - boys and girls, artists, and even the homeless. The spirit of these poets and their works continues to inspire people long after they are gone. The overall message of the song is that poetry and music can have a powerful impact on people and that the legacy of these poets will continue to live on through their art.
Line by Line Meaning
Longtemps, longtemps, longtemps
The impact of the poets' works has been long-lasting and influential over time.
Après que les poètes ont disparu
Even after the death of poets, their melodies and lyrics continue to exist.
Leurs chansons courent encore dans les rues
Poets songs still resonate in the memories of people and flow through the streets.
La foule les chante un peu distraite
People sing the songs but may not be paying heed to the lyrics or the actual meaning of the words.
En ignorant le nom de l'auteur
The singer may not identify the poet or acknowledge their contribution to the song.
Sans savoir pour qui battait leur cœur
People sing the songs without realizing the emotions the poet intended to portray.
Parfois on change un mot, une phrase
At times, people alter the songs by changing a few words or sentences.
Et quand on est à court d'idées
If a singer runs out of ideas or inspiration, they may just sing la-la-la-la.
Un jour, peut-être, bien après moi
In the future, probably after the poet's lifetime, their song could still be sung.
Un jour on chantera
There is a possibility that in the future, someone will sing the poet's song.
Cet air pour bercer un chagrin
The song may be used to comfort someone who is sad.
Ou quelqu'heureux destin
The song could also be used to celebrate a joyous occasion.
Fera-t-il vivre un vieux mendiant
The melody could make an old beggar's day a little more lively.
Ou dormir un enfant
The melody may also be used to sing a lullaby, making a child fall asleep.
Tournera-t-il au bord de l'eau
It is possible that someone may play the song while sitting by the water in spring.
Au printemps sur un phono
In spring, maybe someone will play the song on a phonograph.
Leur âme légère et leurs chansons
Poet's light-hearted spirit and melodies live on in their songs.
Qui rendent gais, qui rendent tristes
Their numbers have the effect of evoking emotions, making listeners happy or sad.
Filles et garçons
Boys and girls of all ages enjoy their songs.
Bourgeois, artistes
Poets' work transcends social barriers, and people from all walks of life appreciate their art.
Ou vagabonds.
Even wanderers and vagabonds find solace in the poet's songs.
Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lucienlanden
Entre ciel et terre,
Dans la forêt des silences,
Perché sur une branche,
je chante.
Dans la forêt des souffrances,
pour les coeurs muets,
pour ceux qui cherchent la voie.
je chante
Du premier baiser, du premier amour,
d’une rose qui pleure,
je fais un poème.
De l’enfant, qui rêve
dans une nuit sans étoiles
je le fais poète
De l’obscurité, de la haine
d’une cascade d’amour.
j’allume le ciel.
Sans voix, Sans parole,
je laisse mon âme
entre ciel et terre,
elle chante.
Luciano
@ottokar1872
Les chansons de Charles Trenet contiennent souvent une parcelle d ame de la France
@denisflament8586
Pourquoi " une parcelle ": l Âme de la FRANCE
@ottokar6318
@@denisflament8586 j avais écrit parcelle car en mon écrit l âme de la France réside plutôt en ND de Paris ou en la basilique St Denis.
@denisflament8586
@@ottokar6318 je me permet Otto Kar{ Berliet??} , à mon gd étonnement, que la basilique de St Denis est maintenant une Cathédrale à savoir qu elle est " dirigée" par un Évêque { E.Zemmour en avait parlé} Bien à vous Bonne continuation
@denisflament8586
De vous signaler
@ottokar6318
@@denisflament8586 oui c une cathédrale je l ignorais.
@ecommoy
C est un chef d œuvre. Vraiment
@moniqueb2938
Magnifique Charles Trenet quelle poésie ! et la mer que je ne me lasse pas d’écouter ainsi que l’âme des poètes et tant d’autres merveilles merci Maître Trenet
@stevesmith7997
Beautiful voice and song! France should be very proud of this son!
@gruyerolivier1842
Thankyou. You are right...this singer is the soul of France and F. Melody.....