Je m'étais perdu
Francis Cabrel Lyrics


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Je m'étais perdu
Je recherchais des yeux
Quelque chose qui bouge
En bas, dans la rue
Des gens très malheureux
Criaient des slogans rouges
Quand je suis descendu
On m'a pris par le bras
Poussé dans le manège
Qu'est-ce que je fous là
à crier comme ça
En tête du cortège ?

J'aurai ma photo
Avec mon nom en gros
En tête de la liste

Je vais être arrêté
Ils vont me tabasser
Me ficher communiste

Chaque jour quelqu'un
Veut me prendre la main
Me donner une image
Un masque à porter
Pour mieux pouvoir après
M'enfermer dans sa cage

Moi je veux vivre plus loin
Reprenez vos papiers, vos titres et vos bulletins
Moi je veux vivre plus loin

Mais chaque jour quelqu'un
Veut me prendre la main
Me donner une image
Un masque à porter
Pour mieux pouvoir après
M'enfermer dans sa cage

Moi je garde ma voix
Pour celui qui criera
"La vie est une fête"

On va brûler tout notre temps




Et non plus seulement
N'en vivre que les miettes

Overall Meaning

In Francis Cabrel's song "Je M'étais Perdu," the singer describes his experience of feeling lost and searching for something in the streets. As he descends into a chaotic crowd of people shouting Communist slogans, he is pushed into a demonstration and realizes that he is at the head of the parade, with his photo and name displayed prominently. The situation becomes increasingly perilous as the singer anticipates being arrested and beaten.


The song explores themes of searching for personal freedom and rejecting societal pressures to conform to a particular ideology or belief system. The metaphor of being handed a mask to wear and being trapped in a cage suggests a loss of autonomy and individuality. However, the singer remains defiant and determined to live life on his own terms, with his own voice and identity intact.


Throughout the song, Cabrel uses powerful imagery and vivid descriptions of the crowded streets, the oppressive atmosphere of the demonstration, and the uncertain fate of the singer. This creates a sense of urgency and tension, which is mirrored in the driving rhythm and electric guitar riffs that underpin the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Je m'étais perdu
I felt lost and was searching for something that would give me direction and purpose.


Je recherchais des yeux
I was looking all around me, hoping to find something meaningful and inspiring in my surroundings.


Quelque chose qui bouge
I was hoping to find something dynamic and energetic that would stir my soul and motivate me.


En bas, dans la rue
I was searching for this something in the streets, hoping to find it among the people and activities there.


Des gens très malheureux
I saw many unhappy people around me who were deeply dissatisfied with their lives and the world around them.


Criaient des slogans rouges
They were shouting slogans that expressed their anger and frustration, reflecting their political beliefs and struggles.


Quand je suis descendu
When I came down to the streets to join the crowd, I felt a sense of unease and confusion about what I was doing there.


On m'a pris par le bras
Someone grabbed me by the arm and pulled me along, urging me to join in and participate in the action.


Poussé dans le manège
I felt like I was being swept up in a chaotic and uncontrollable situation that was beyond my understanding or control.


Qu'est-ce que je fous là
I wondered what I was doing there and what my place was in this confusing and unsettling situation.


à crier comme ça
I found myself shouting along with the crowd, caught up in the frenzy and emotion of the moment.


En tête du cortège ?
I couldn't believe I was leading the protest, wondering how I had ended up in this position of visibility and responsibility.


J'aurai ma photo
I realized that my actions had attracted attention, and that I might be photographed or filmed and identified as a participant in the protest.


Avec mon nom en gros
My name might be featured prominently in the media or in official reports, making me a public figure and potential target.


En tête de la liste
I might be singled out for punishment or persecution by authorities who opposed the protest and its goals, making me vulnerable and afraid.


Je vais être arrêté
I realized that I might be arrested or detained for my actions, and that I would have to face the consequences of my choices.


Ils vont me tabasser
I might be physically harmed or abused by those who opposed me and my beliefs, facing violence and brutality as a result.


Me ficher communiste
I might be labeled as a communist or radical by those who opposed my vision and goals, facing social and political isolation and ostracization.


Chaque jour quelqu'un
Every day, someone tries to influence and control my thoughts and actions, trying to mold me into their own image and goals.


Veut me prendre la main
They want to take my hand and lead me down a path that I might not have chosen for myself, forcing me to conform and obey.


Me donner une image
They want to give me an identity or persona that aligns with their own values and ideals, trying to shape my sense of self and purpose.


Un masque à porter
They want me to wear a mask or disguise that hides my true self and intentions, fitting me into their own narrow vision of what is acceptable or desirable.


Pour mieux pouvoir après
They want to control me and use me for their own benefit, manipulating me and exploiting me for their own gain or power.


M'enfermer dans sa cage
They want to trap me in their own limited and suffocating worldview, restricting my freedom and imagination and destroying my sense of possibility and hope.


Moi je veux vivre plus loin
Despite all these pressures, I want to live my life on my own terms and pursue my own dreams and goals, seeking out new adventures and experiences that take me beyond my current circumstances.


Reprenez vos papiers, vos titres et vos bulletins
I reject the conventional measures of success and achievement that society expects of me, such as degrees, certificates, and job titles, and I want to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling on a deeper level.


Moi je garde ma voix
I choose to speak my truth and express my opinions and beliefs, no matter the consequences or risks, refusing to be silenced or censored by others.


Pour celui qui criera
I speak out for those who cannot, giving voice to the marginalized and oppressed, and fighting for justice and equality for all.


La vie est une fête
I believe that life is something to be celebrated and enjoyed, not just endured, and that we have the power to make a difference in the world and create a brighter future for ourselves and others.


On va brûler tout notre temps
We are wasting our precious time and potential on petty concerns and distractions, rather than focusing on what truly matters and making a positive impact on the world.


Et non plus seulement
We need to move beyond our limited and self-centered worldview, and focus on the larger issues and challenges facing our society and our planet.


N'en vivre que les miettes
We should not settle for a life of crumbs and scraps, but instead embrace our full potential and pursue our dreams and passions with vigor and determination.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANCIS CABREL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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