Francis Cabrel (born 23 November 1953 in Agen, France) is a French singer-s… Read Full Bio ↴Francis Cabrel (born 23 November 1953 in Agen, France) is a French singer-songwriter and guitarist. Inspired heavily by Bob Dylan, he produced a significant number of albums falling mostly within the realm of folk, with occasional forays into blues or country. Several of his songs, such as "L'encre de tes yeux" and "Petite Marie" have become enduring favourites in French music. His first hit was called "Je l'aime a mourir. Others, such as "C'etait l'hiver", about the suicide of a young girl, have since been covered by other artists such as Canadian Isabelle Boulay.

L'enfant qui dort
Francis Cabrel Lyrics

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Laissez rêver l'enfant qui dort
Aux fumées bleues des châteaux-forts
Laissez-lui démonter le ciel
Dehors c'est toujours pareil
C'est toujours pareil
Le coin des rues comme des frontières
Et toujours penser à se taire
La ville encerclée sous le gel

Depuis c'est toujours pareil

Le temps malmène ces hommes qui traînent
Le poids de leur corps
Leurs phrases vides
Leurs larmes sèches
Leurs années d'effort
Les rues de Gdansk où le givre s'avance et la patrouille dehors

C'est à peine si les pavés résonnent
Sous le pas lourd des moitiés d'homme

Les mains fermées sur leur colère
Les yeux comme privés de lumière

Peut-être un jour si Dieu s'en mêle
La pluie remontera au ciel
Vers nos immobiles remords
Mais c'est toujours pareil dehors

Le temps malmène ces hommes qui traînent
Le poids de leur corps
Leurs phrases vides
Leurs larmes sèches
Leurs années d'effort
Les rues de Gdansk où le givre s'avance et la patrouille dehors

(Et s'il veut vivre ici longtemps)
(Surtout laissez rêver l'enfant)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Francis Cabrel's song L'enfant qui dort describe the bleakness and monotony of everyday life, particularly of those who dwell in the city. The song encourages the listener to let the sleeping child dream, and imagine a world of blue smoke and castles, as outside is always the same - the streets are borders and one must always be mindful of not speaking out of turn. The city is encircled by ice and the people who live there are weighed down by the passing of time and the weight of their own bodies. They walk heavily, barely making a sound on the pavement beneath their feet, and their eyes lack light. The song speaks to the unfulfilled dreams of the people, but yet in the face of this, the child who sleeps is encouraged to dream and imagine, as they are hopeful and without the burdens of adulthood.

The song's lyrics are quite poignant and melancholic, as they speak to the sense of disappointment and resignation that comes with living in a world that doesn't always live up to our expectations. The use of the sleeping child as a metaphor encourages the listener to look beyond the harshness of everyday life and to find beauty in moments of imagination and wonder. The repetition of the phrase "c'est toujours pareil" which translates to "it's always the same" creates a sense of despair and hopelessness, but hinted at in the end is the possibility that maybe someday the rain will wash away the sorrows and ghosts, and they will be free to dream again.

Line by Line Meaning

Laissez rêver l'enfant qui dort
Let the sleeping child dream

Aux fumées bleues des châteaux-forts
Amidst the blue smoke of fortresses

Laissez-lui démonter le ciel
Let him take apart the sky

Dehors c'est toujours pareil
Outside it's always the same

C'est toujours pareil
It's always the same

Le coin des rues comme des frontières
The street corner like a border

Et toujours penser à se taire
And always think to keep quiet

La ville encerclée sous le gel
The city surrounded by frost

Depuis c'est toujours pareil
Since then it's always been the same

Le temps malmène ces hommes qui traînent
Time mistreats these men who linger

Le poids de leur corps
The weight of their bodies