Qu'ai-je donc à donner ?
Eiffel Lyrics


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Le temps d′une pirouette
Mon p'tit bouquet de violettes
Juste l′idée

Et le temps d'un baiser
L'effraction des secondes
Une éternité
Que ne donnerai-je donc
Mais qu′ai-je donc à donner?
Je n′ai que des lunes dérisoires

Que ne donnerai-je donc
Mais qu'ai-je donc à donner? bis

De la chair aux canons
Bourses en action
Le bonheur ma belle

Des vies argentées
Raflées pour ceux qui n′crèchent pas
Sous les poubelles

Que pourrai-je te dire?
Mais qu'ai-je donc à offrir?
Poissons-lunes et frères soiffards

Que ne donnerai-je donc?
Mais qu′ai-je donc à donner? ter

Des fleurs cueillies dans la poussière...

Pointes d'orages
Le bruit des bottes, le silence des pantoufles
Pour l′étouffement des rages

La colère des Dieux
Jeux de massacres
Du tout à craindre
Pour du rien ne va mieux

Que pourrai-je t'offrir?
Mais qu'ai-je donc à faire ressentir
Dans les vapeurs des samovars?

Que ne donnerai-je donc?
Mais qu′ai-je donc à donner? ter





Des fleurs cueillies dans la poussière... ter

Overall Meaning

In the song "Qu'ai-je donc à donner?" by Eiffel, the lyrics delve into the concept of offering or giving something of value, specifically in the context of a relationship. The opening lines portray a fleeting moment of joy and simplicity, symbolized by a small bouquet of violets and a brief kiss. The singer reflects on the transitory nature of time and the powerful impact that these fleeting moments can have, almost turning into an eternity.


The repetition of the question "Que ne donnerai-je donc, mais qu'ai-je donc à donner?" highlights the singer's inner conflict and uncertainty about what they have to offer. The lyrics suggest a sense of self-doubt and a feeling of insignificance. The phrase "Je n'ai que des lunes dérisoires" conveys that the singer's offerings seem trivial or insignificant compared to the grand desires they may have.


The following verses take a more societal perspective, exploring the idea of what is truly valuable and what people are willing to sacrifice. The mention of "chair aux canons" (flesh for cannons) and "vies argentées" (lives sold for wealth) criticizes the commodification of human life and the exploitation of the less fortunate. The singer questions what they can possibly say or offer in the face of such injustices, sharing the sentiment of helplessness.


The lyrics continue to depict a world filled with chaos and oppression, using images like "pointes d'orages" (thunderstorm peaks) and contrasting the sound of boots and silence of slippers. The mention of the anger of gods and games of massacre further emphasizes the dark and oppressive environment. The singer wonders what they can make someone feel or experience amidst such grim circumstances, expressing their perceived inability to make a difference.


Overall, the lyrics of "Qu'ai-je donc à donner?" convey a sense of introspection, self-doubt, and frustration about what one can offer in a relationship or in the face of societal injustices. It portrays a yearning to make a meaningful impact, but also a realization of personal limitations and the overwhelming nature of societal issues.


Line by Line Meaning

Le temps d′une pirouette
In the blink of an eye


Mon p'tit bouquet de violettes
A small gesture or token of affection


Juste l′idée
Just the mere thought


Et le temps d'un baiser
And the duration of a kiss


L'effraction des secondes
The disruption or suspension of time


Une éternité
An eternity


Que ne donnerai-je donc
What would I not give


Mais qu′ai-je donc à donner?
But what do I have to give?


Je n′ai que des lunes dérisoires
I only have worthless wishes or dreams


De la chair aux canons
Lives sacrificed for warfare


Bourses en action
Financial markets thriving


Le bonheur ma belle
Happiness, my dear


Des vies argentées
Wealthy lives


Raflées pour ceux qui n′crèchent pas
Snatched away by those who have it all


Sous les poubelles
Living under garbage


Que pourrai-je te dire?
What can I tell you?


Mais qu'ai-je donc à offrir?
But what do I have to offer?


Poissons-lunes et frères soiffards
Moon fishes and thirsty brothers


Que ne donnerai-je donc?
What would I not give?


Mais qu′ai-je donc à donner? ter
But what do I have to give?


Des fleurs cueillies dans la poussière...
Flowers picked from the dust...


Pointes d'orages
Flashes of storms


Le bruit des bottes, le silence des pantoufles
The sound of boots, the silence of slippers


Pour l′étouffement des rages
To suppress one's anger


La colère des Dieux
The anger of the gods


Jeux de massacres
Games of massacre


Du tout à craindre
Everything to fear


Pour du rien ne va mieux
For nothing is getting better


Que pourrai-je t'offrir?
What can I offer you?


Mais qu'ai-je donc à faire ressentir
But what do I have to make you feel?


Dans les vapeurs des samovars?
In the fumes of samovars?


Que ne donnerai-je donc?
What would I not give?


Mais qu′ai-je donc à donner? ter
But what do I have to give?


Des fleurs cueillies dans la poussière... ter
Flowers picked from the dust...




Writer(s): Romain Dominique Humeau

Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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