Tonton Bâton
Gérard Blanc Lyrics
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et les enfants ont saccadé sur des sanglots
des chants de guerre et des prière qui se mélangent
au parfum de la terre déchirée par l'étrange
demain matinquand le soleil va se lever
quand les hommes et les femmes sembleront abandonnés
il restera l'espoir que vienne le sorcier
écoutez le chanter
hey hey ah, hey hey ah, hey ah
il prédit après la mousson
des mois et des mois de moissons
qu'il y aura d'autres matins
qu'il y aura des lendemains
Tonton bâton y sait
faire danser les secrets
chasser le faux du vrai
tonton bâton y sait
y sait, y sait, y sait, y sait
La magie a tout transformé d'un coup de dés
et le bonheur s'est décidé à dessiner
des chants d'amour et de lumière qui se mélangent
un cadeau dans le coeur des hommes
et la vie change
de tous côtés ils sont venus pour se parler
pour partager un peu le feu qui leur manquait
en retenant le temps ils se sont retrouvés
et se souviennent de la parole du sorcier
écoutez le chanter
The lyrics of Gérard Blanc's song Tonton Bâton tell a story of hope and optimism in the face of adversity. The opening lines describe a rainy night where the starting point is swept away, and the children are left to cry over the war songs and prayers that mix with the scent of the torn earth. The next morning, as the sun rises, the people are left feeling abandoned, but there remains a glimmer of hope that the sorcerer will come and sing their troubles away. The chorus describes Tonton Bâton, who knows the secrets of dancing, separating the false from the true, and he predicts that after the monsoon, there will be months and months of harvests, and that there will be other mornings and tomorrows.
The second verse adds to the optimistic theme of the song as the magic suddenly transforms everything, and happiness begins to take shape, depicted as songs of love and light that blend together to create a gift in people's hearts, causing life to change. The people come together to share the fire that was missing and retain the memories of the sorcerer's words, reminiscing on how they were able to find hope in dark times. The song is a call to action for people to find joy amidst the struggles they face and to come together to create a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Un soir la pluie a balayé la case départ
One evening, the rain swept away the starting point, symbolizing a shift in circumstances.
et les enfants ont saccadé sur des sanglots
The children have been jolted by sobs, expressing their pain and sorrow.
des chants de guerre et des prière qui se mélangent
War songs and prayers intermingle, representing the complexity of life and its spiritual dimensions.
au parfum de la terre déchirée par l'étrange
The smell of the wounded earth adds to the sense of chaos and confusion brought on by the 'strange' events.
demain matin quand le soleil va se lever
The next morning, with the promise of a new day and fresh start.
quand les hommes et les femmes sembleront abandonnés
When men and women feel abandoned, helpless and alone in their struggle.
il restera l'espoir que vienne le sorcier
Despite adversity, people hold onto hope that the sorcerer will come and help them.
hey hey ah, hey hey ah, hey ah
A chorus chant that serves as a unifying element and expression of community spirit.
il prédit après la mousson
The sorcerer predicts that after the monsoon season
des mois et des mois de moissons
There will be abundant harvests for many months.
qu'il y aura d'autres matins
There will be other mornings, other opportunities for a better future.
qu'il y aura des lendemains
There will be forthcoming tomorrows, where people can dream and aspire for a prosperous future.
Tonton bâton y sait
Uncle Stick knows
faire danser les secrets
How to make secrets dance, suggesting the power and influence the sorcerer yields.
chasser le faux du vrai
How to discern between truth and lies, and dispel falsehoods.
La magie a tout transformé d'un coup de dés
Magic has transformed everything with a flick of the wrist, perhaps alluding to the idea that fate is arbitrary and unpredictable.
et le bonheur s'est décidé à dessiner
Happiness has decided to draw, suggesting the idea that people can create their own happiness and destiny.
des chants d'amour et de lumière qui se mélangent
Songs of love and light intermix, symbolizing the harmonious relationship between humans.
un cadeau dans le coeur des hommes
The gift of hope resides in people's hearts
et la vie change
And life changes, offering new opportunities, perhaps unexpected outcomes and transformation that comes with growth.
de tous côtés ils sont venus pour se parler
From all sides, people came to talk to each other, to bridge differences and work toward a common goal.
pour partager un peu le feu qui leur manquait
To share a little of the fire that they lacked, symbolizing mutual support and empathy.
en retenant le temps ils se sont retrouvés
By holding onto time, people found each other, referring perhaps to the idea that by not becoming complacent, people maintain their bonds and focus on shared values.
et se souviennent de la parole du sorcier
And they remember the sorcerer's words, which helped guide them through difficult times.
écoutez le chanter
Listen to him sing, symbolizing the power of music to unite and inspire people.
Contributed by Adalyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.