Le Roi Kakail
Dan Bigras Lyrics
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Devant tous ses projets, il développe ses sujets
Oeil rêvant et l'autre aux aguets
Il développe les vautours qui planent au fond de sa cour
Les bouffons, les bossus, les serpents, les sangsues
En songeant au temps du muguet
Le roi Kakail
Aux marches de son palais, il développe ses valets
À la croisée des fous, il prépare son coup
En songeant au temps du muguet
Un cortège de délires bavant de souvenirs
Passe devant le roi qui regarde pantois
Oeil rêvant et l'autre aux aguets
Le roi Kakail
Le pauvre roi Kakail joue avec sa marmaille
Tire le diable par la queue, tire à la queue leu leu
En songeant au temps du muguet
Tire la queue du diable, tire le diable du fou
Étire le fou du diable, retire le roi du fou
Oeil rêvant et l'autre aux aguets
Le roi Kakail
The song "Le roi Kakail" by Dan Bigras presents the image of a king, sitting on his balcony, smiling at all of his plans and schemes that he has in store for his subjects. The king has one eye that is dreaming, while the other one is monitoring everything that's happening around him. He develops the vultures that soar in his courtyard, as well as the fools, hunchbacks, serpents, and leeches. All the while, he thinks about the time of the May Day.
The second verse continues with more details about the king's preparations. As he sits on his palace steps, he develops his servants, and the crazies that he has gathered around him. He thinks about the time of the May Day as a procession of delirium passes in front of him. His dreaming eye watches all of this with a mix of wonder and vigilance.
The last verse describes the king playing with his children and struggling with poverty. He jokes about "pulling the devil's tail, pulling it one by one," while his vigilant eye stays alert to all around him. Altogether, the song paints a picture of a ruler who is both cunning and paranoid, constantly on the lookout for threats and opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Assis sur sa galerie, le roi Kakail sourit
The king Kakail sits on his balcony and smiles
Devant tous ses projets, il développe ses sujets
He develops his subjects in front of all his plans
Oeil rêvant et l'autre aux aguets
One eye dreaming and the other on alert
Il développe les vautours qui planent au fond de sa cour
He develops the vultures that soar over his courtyard
Les bouffons, les bossus, les serpents, les sangsues
The jokers, the hunchbacks, the snakes, the leeches
En songeant au temps du muguet
While dreaming of the time of lily of the valley
Aux marches de son palais, il développe ses valets
At the steps of his palace, he develops his servants
À la croisée des fous, il prépare son coup
At the crossroads of the crazy, he prepares his move
Un cortège de délires bavant de souvenirs
A parade of delusions drooling with memories
Passe devant le roi qui regarde pantois
Passing in front of the king, who looks astonished
Le pauvre roi Kakail joue avec sa marmaille
The poor king Kakail plays with his kids
Tire le diable par la queue, tire à la queue leu leu
Pulling the devil by the tail, pull the line one by one
Tire la queue du diable, tire le diable du fou
Pull the devil's tail, pull the devil from the madman
Étire le fou du diable, retire le roi du fou
Stretch the madman from the devil, remove the king from the madman
Oeil rêvant et l'autre aux aguets
One eye dreaming and the other on alert
Le roi Kakail
The king Kakail
Contributed by Parker V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.