Ballade
Claude Debussy; Jean-Efflam Bavouzet Lyrics
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but to each let this be heard
some do it with a bitter look
some with a flattering word
the coward does it with a kiss
the brave man with a sword
some kill their loved when they are young.
some when they are old
some strangle with the hands of lust
some with hands of gold
the kindest use a knife
because the dead so soon grow cold
some love too little, some too long
some sell and others buy
some do a deed with money tears
some without a sigh
for each man kills the thing he loves
The lyrics of the song Ballade by Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, adapted from a poem by Oscar Wilde, speaks of the harsh truth about how each man kills the things he loves. The opening line of the poem, "yet each man kills the things he loves," acknowledges the fact that even though it is human nature to love and cherish, we also have the tendency to destroy the very things that we hold dear.
The following lines explore the various ways in which people destroy what they love. Some do it with a bitter look, others with a flattering word. The coward does it with a kiss while the brave do it with a sword. Some take the lives of their loved ones when they are young or old, some with hands of lust or hands of gold. The kindest use a knife because the dead grow cold quickly.
The final lines suggest that destroying what we love can be done in various ways: some love too little, some too long, some sell and others buy. Ultimately, the poem highlights the paradox and complexity of human behavior towards love and destruction. Man can be both a lover and a destroyer, and the song reminds us to be careful with our affection.
Line by Line Meaning
yet each man kills the things he loves
Despite loving something deeply, each person is capable of causing its downfall or destruction.
but to each let this be heard
Everyone should be aware of this tendency within themselves.
some do it with a bitter look
Some people destroy what they love through agitation and resentment.
some with a flattering word
Others destroy what they love through manipulative or insincere actions.
the coward does it with a kiss
Sometimes, those who are afraid use false displays of love in order to bring about destruction.
the brave man with a sword
Other times, destruction is caused by those who are fiercely and courageously devoted to their cause.
some kill their loved when they are young.
Some people inadvertently bring about destruction when they are young through inexperience and ignorance.
some when they are old
Others bring about destruction when they are old through neglect or bitterness.
some strangle with the hands of lust
Destruction is often brought about through the overindulgence of our deepest desires.
some with hands of gold
Likewise, those who have great talent and wealth are also capable of causing destruction.
the kindest use a knife
Even the gentlest and most compassionate person is capable of causing harm.
because the dead so soon grow cold
In the end, everything is temporary and fleeting, and that realization can motivate people to act out of fear, anger, or despair.
some love too little, some too long
The complexity of human emotions means that we all have different ways of relating to those we love, and these differences can sow the seeds of destruction.
some sell and others buy
Even in the most intimate of relationships, love can be objectified and turned into a commodity to be bargained over and exploited.
some do a deed with money tears
The acquisition and misuse of wealth can become a driving force behind the destruction of what we claim to hold dear.
some without a sigh
Finally, some people are capable of causing destruction without even feeling a need to reflect on or acknowledge what they've done.
for each man kills the thing he loves
Ultimately, the fact that we can destroy what we love speaks to the fragility of human emotions, actions, and relationships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mike Patton, Jean-Claude Vannier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind