Le Plat Pays
Jacques Brel Lyrics

Avec la mer du Nord Pour dernier terrain vague
The vast expanse of the North Sea serves as the final frontier of the land, beyond which lie endless and unexplored depths.

Et des vagues de dunes Pour arrêter les vagues
The unbroken rows of sand dunes stand as barriers between the restless waves of the sea, holding them back from inundating the land.

Et de vagues rochers Que les marées dépassent Et qui ont à jamais le cœur À marée basse
The jagged rocks that line the coast are battered incessantly by the tide, yet their hearts only truly reveal themselves when the waters recede.

Avec infiniment De brumes à venir
The future is shrouded in infinite amounts of mist, making it impossible to discern what lies ahead.

Avec le vent de l'est Écoutez-le tenir
The wind blowing from the east can be heard fiercely howling, as if struggling to catch its breath amid the flat landscape.

Avec des cathédrales Pour uniques montagnes
The only mountains that exist here are the soaring cathedrals with their spires reaching towards the heavens.

Et de noirs clochers Comme mâts de cocagne
The black bell towers of the churches look like candy canes placed side-by-side, inviting people to enjoy their sweetness.

Où des diables en pierre Décrochent les nuages
The stone gargoyles perched atop the towers seem to be playfully trying to remove the clouds from the sky.

Avec le fil des jours Pour unique voyage
The only journey people undertake here is the steady march of time, as it winds its way through the days and years of their lives.

Et des chemins de pluie Pour unique bonsoir
The only way to bid farewell to the day is by walking down rain drenched paths, feeling the cool droplets wash away all the worries of the day.

Avec le vent d'ouest Écoutez-le vouloir
The wind from the west can be heard whispering its desires, as if urging the people here to follow their own ambitions.

Avec un ciel si bas Qu'un canal s'est perdu Avec un ciel si bas Qu'il fait l'humilité
The sky here is so low that even the canals seem to have lost their way, reminding people of their humble place in the vastness of the universe.

Avec un ciel si gris Qu'un canal s'est pendu Avec un ciel si gris Qu'il faut lui pardonner
The gloomy, overcast sky here can be so oppressive that even the canals, which are supposed to be life-giving, seem to have given up. But the people here know how to forgive it for this.

Avec le vent du nord Qui vient s'écarteler Avec le vent du nord, Écoutez-le craquer
The north wind here is so fierce that it seems to be tearing itself apart as it howls through the landscape, making its presence felt through the deafening sound of its fury.

Avec de l'Italie Qui descendrait l'Escaut Avec Frida la Blonde Quand elle devient Margot
Sometimes, Italy seems to take a detour here while journeying down the Escaut River, and the people here tell stories of how Frida the Fair-Haired woman transforms into Margot. These folk stories serve to lighten up the otherwise melancholic atmosphere of the place.

Quand les fils de novembre Nous reviennent en mai Quand la plaine est fumante Et tremble sous juillet
In November, many people from this place venture out to other lands to make a better living. However, they eventually return here in May, when the fields are smoking hot under the scorching sun of July.

Quand le vent est au rire Quand le vent est au blé Quand le vent est au sud Écoutez-le chanter
When the wind here is playful, wafting through the fields of corn, or when it blows warm and gentle from the south, it can be heard singing a happy tune - bringing joy and lightness to the hearts of people living here.

Le plat pays Qui est le mien
This flat land may be unremarkable to outsiders, but it is the home of the person singing this song – and it is the most beautiful place in the world to him.