Exil
Jean-Philippe Verdin Lyrics

Nom, prénom, numéro, photo, signe particulier
Listing off identifying information that defines a person

T'es géant, t'es zéro, mais décline une identité
Even if a person feels insignificant or important, they still need to have an identity

Et pourtant, pourtant, souvent je me demande
Despite having an identity, the person still questions their origins and their place in the world

Qui sont les miens, d'où suis-je et quelle est ma bande?
Wondering about their family, heritage, and belonging

De quelle tribu, de quelle famille
Asking about their tribe or family

Quel est mon arbre ou ma ville
Questioning about their roots and their place of origin

Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
Asking about whether they belong in a place or if they are in exile

Toi, t'es d'un coin, d'un bar, d'un quartier, même d'un étage
Acknowledging that others have a defined place in the world, whether it be a neighborhood or building floor

D'un parti blanc ou noir, t'as une chaise dans ton village
Identifying with a political view or group, and having a place within their community

Et pourquoi, pourquoi, je me demande encore
Continuing to question why they don't have a clear sense of belonging

Quel est donc mon bateau et quel est mon port?
Questioning where they come from and where they belong

Juste appartenir à un Sud ou un Nord
Simply wanting to belong to a specific region or culture

Mes racines se défilent
Feeling like their roots are slipping away or undefined

Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
Asking again whether they belong, or if they are outcast to an unknown place or state

J'ai posé des questions aux professeurs en blouse blanche
Turning to experts for answers

J'ai gagné des calmants à la place de réponses
Feeling like they were given temporary solutions instead of real answers

Et pourtant, pourtant, dans un coin de ce monde
Despite all this questioning, a small part of the world feels peaceful and stable

Un morceau de terre, un ciel et des secondes
Finding solace in the simplicity of the world

Une histoire, un sang, du temps qui défile
Acknowledging that they have a history and a place in the world, even if it is uncertain

Si paisible et si tranquille
Feeling calm and at ease in this tiny part of the world

Et dans quelle île ou quel exil?
Despite this moment of calmness, they still question their place in the world

Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Continuing to search for a sense of belonging

Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Repeating the question, emphasizing their search for belonging

Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Repeating again, a plea to belong somewhere and have a defined identity

Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
One final repetition, expressing the urgency of their need for belonging