Des Roses & Des Orties
Francis Cabrel Lyrics
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A quel âge, à quelle page et dans quelle case sommes-nous inscrits ?
Les mêmes questions qu'on se pose
On part vers où et vers qui?
Et comme indice pas grand chose
Des roses et des orties
Les mains peintes, les mains jointes on se courbe et on remercie
Malgré tout ce que l'on ose et qui parfois réussi
On ne laissera pas grand chose
Que des roses et des orties
On est lourd, tremblant comme des flammes de bougies
On hésite à chaque carrefour
Dans les discours que l'on a apprit
Mais puisque on est lourd
Lourd d'amour et de poésie
Voilà la sortie de secours
On se rapproche, on se reparle, on se pardonne et on reconstruit
Et de ce seul monde qui vaille la peine y aura tout ce qui nous réunis
Et de tout ce qui nous oppose on en sortira grandit
Et si on laisse peu de choses y aura
Plus de roses que d'orties
On est lourd, tremblant, comme les flammes des bougies
On hésite à chaque carrefour
Aux discours que l'on a apprit
Mais puisque on est lourd
Lourd d'amour et de poésie
Voilà la sortie de secours
The lyrics of Francis Cabrel's song "Des Roses & Des Orties" ponder on fundamental questions about the purpose of our existence and the legacy we leave behind. The opening verse asks what world, what reign, and what judges we are destined for, questions that evoke the idea of an uncertain and unpredictable future. The following lines inquire about the age, page, and case we belong to, addressing the issue of identity and belonging. However, despite the profoundness of these questions, Cabrel notes that the clues to finding answers are scarce, as we are left with nothing but roses and nettles, two common plants that symbolize the simultaneity of beauty and pain in life.
In the second verse, Cabrel highlights the human condition of gratitude, prayer, and regret, suggesting that sometimes we realize too late the value of what we have lost. Despite our efforts to make a difference and achieve success, we may end up leaving very little behind us, except for the contrast between the fragrant and poisonous. However, the final verse provides a ray of light in the form of love and poetry, two qualities that can lighten our heavy burdens and enrich our lives. In the end, Cabrel suggests that through communication and forgiveness, we can create a world where differences unite us rather than divide us, leaving behind more roses than nettles.
Line by Line Meaning
Vers quel monde, sous quel règne et à quels juges sommes-nous promis ?
What kind of world, under what rule, and with what judges are we promised?
A quel âge, à quelle page et dans quelle case sommes-nous inscrits ?
At what age, on what page, and in what box are we registered?
Les mêmes questions qu'on se pose
We ask ourselves the same questions
On part vers où et vers qui?
Where and with whom are we headed?
Et comme indice pas grand chose
And as an indication, not much
Des roses et des orties
Just roses and nettles
Les mains peintes, les mains jointes on se courbe et on remercie
With painted and joined hands, we bow and thank
On implore, on s'inquiète et c'est trop tard quand on a comprit
We plead, we worry, and it's too late when we understand
Malgré tout ce que l'on ose et qui parfois réussi
Despite everything we dare and sometimes succeed
On ne laissera pas grand chose
We won't leave much behind
Que des roses et des orties
Just roses and nettles
On est lourd, tremblant comme des flammes de bougies
We are heavy, trembling like candle flames
On hésite à chaque carrefour
We hesitate at every crossroads
Dans les discours que l'on a apprit
In the speeches we've learned
Mais puisque on est lourd
But since we are heavy
Lourd d'amour et de poésie
Heavy with love and poetry
Voilà la sortie de secours
This is the emergency exit
On se rapproche, on se reparle, on se pardonne et on reconstruit
We come closer, we talk again, we forgive and rebuild
Et de ce seul monde qui vaille la peine y aura tout ce qui nous réunis
And from this world that is worth it, there will be everything that unites us
Et de tout ce qui nous oppose on en sortira grandit
And from everything that opposes us, we will come out stronger
Et si on laisse peu de choses y aura
And if we don't leave much behind, there will be
Plus de roses que d'orties
More roses than nettles
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind