Damia (1889-1978), was a French singer and actress, whose real name was Mar… Read Full Bio ↴Damia (1889-1978), was a French singer and actress, whose real name was Marise Damien. She is famous as an interpreter of "realistic" songs - songs about the pain and sorrow of everyday life, as opposed to songs about high-life glamour. She was assisted in this by her skill by as an actress, which enabled her to make her songs seem like real moments from a human life, rather than mere entertainment, and is sometimes compared to Billie Holiday for this reason. She was active from the 1920's until 1953, when she retired.

Longtemps
Damia Lyrics

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{Refrain:}
Tu m'avais dit "Je t'aimerai
Longtemps"
Mais les serments ne sont pas vrais
Longtemps
Je savais la joie éphémère
La peine amère
Oui mais pourtant

Je n'ai pas su te résister
Longtemps
Contre l'amour peut-on lutter
Longtemps ?
M'abandonnant sans un regret
Je savais que je pleurerais
Et que mon cœur en souffrirait
Longtemps

Longtemps, c'est vouloir l'impossible
C'est vouloir tenter le destin
C'est mettre son bonheur en cible
C'est répondre de l'incertain
C'est mettre l'avenir en cause
C'est vouloir tracer son chemin
Longtemps... mais c'est si peu de chose
Longtemps, c'est peut-être demain

{au Refrain}

Tu m'avais dit "Je t'aimerai
Longtemps"
Mais les serments ne sont pas vrais
Longtemps

Je n'ai pas su te résister
Longtemps
Contre l'amour peut-on lutter
Longtemps ?

Je savais que je pleurerais

Et que mon cœur en souffrirait
Longtemps

Overall Meaning

The song "Longtemps" by Damia is an insightful exploration of love and its consequences. In the chorus, the singer reflects on the promises of lasting love that were made to her, only to be eventually broken. She knew that the joy that love brings is fleeting, and the pain that comes with it can last a long time. Yet despite this knowledge, she could not resist the allure of love, even though it would ultimately lead to heartbreak. The question that the singer poses at the end of the chorus is an important one - can one really fight against love for a long time?

The second verse delves deeper into the complexities of trying to hold onto love for an extended period. The singer notes that wanting love to last a long time is like trying to reach for something that is impossible to grasp. It is tempting fate, putting one's happiness in the crosshairs of uncertainty. It's about wanting to shape one's own destiny, while acknowledging that the future is uncertain. And yet, even with all these risks, it's still worth it to try and hold onto love because the alternative is a life without it. The chorus is repeated to emphasize that the promises were not kept, and that the pain of lost love endures for a long time.

Overall, "Longtemps" is a poignant reminder that love is both ephemeral and enduring, and that it can bring both joy and pain. The reluctance to let go of love, even after the promises are broken, is a universal experience that many can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

Tu m'avais dit "Je t'aimerai
You had told me "I will love you

Longtemps"
for a long time."

Mais les serments ne sont pas vrais
But promises are not true

Longtemps
for a long time.

Je savais la joie éphémère
I knew the joy was temporary

La peine amère
And the pain bitter

Oui mais pourtant
Yes, but still

Je n'ai pas su te résister
I couldn't resist you

Longtemps
for a long time.

Contre l'amour peut-on lutter
Can we fight against love

Longtemps ?
for a long time?