Born on the 24th August 1916 in Monaco, Ferré mixed lyricism with slang; love with anarchy. He took a central place in the world of French song. He was involved in anarchism, and worked with Radio Libertaire, an anarchist free-radio broadcasting in Paris and around France. He died on the 14th July 1993.
... Et des clous
Léo Ferré Lyrics
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Regard braqué sur la nuit, au bout du quai, c'est fini
Chagrin qui mord aujourd'hui, demain encore, tu l'oublies
Le cœur s'en va, résigné, t'en fais donc pas, c'est gagné
Mais gagné quoi, savez-vous ? Quatre planches de bois et des clous
Si tu veux faire ton bonheur, prends les choses comme elles sont
Solitaire sur la Terre
Les sentiments, c'est coûteux, l'or et l'argent, c'est bien mieux
On passe le temps comme on peut "Ça fera tant, cher monsieur"
Ton capital bien compté, tout m'est égal, si j'en ai
C'est le festival de bonté, le principal, c'est de gagner
Mais de gagner quoi, savez-vous ? Quatre planches et des clous
Si tu veux faire ton bonheur, prends les choses comme elles sont
Sur la Terre, ça change guère
C'est toujours la même chanson mais la vie chante à sa façon
Le temps qui court sous la peau, le bon Dieu sourd comme un pot
La trouille pour le magot et tout autour, des badauds
Donne-moi, chrétien, des tickets, parle en latin, s'il te plaît
Dernier refrain chuchoté, dis-moi, combien pour gagner ?
Pour gagner quoi, savez-vous ? Quatre planches et des clous
Si tu veux faire ton bonheur, prends les choses comme elles sont
Sous la Terre, la poussière
C'était l'homme et sa chanson, quand on est mort, c'est pour de bon !
In "Et des clous," Léo Ferré explores themes of heartbreak, resignation, and the elusive pursuit of happiness. The song depicts a lover abandoned by life, with their love shattered and their gaze fixed upon the night, signifying the end of their journey. The chorus emphasizes the fleeting nature of pain, suggesting that tomorrow it will be forgotten. The resigned heart moves on, encouraging the listener not to worry as the game is won.
However, as the song questions what exactly is won, it reveals the grim answer: four planks of wood and nails. This metaphorical imagery represents the final resting place that awaits everyone. Ferré suggests that if one wants to find happiness, they should accept things as they are, even in solitude on Earth. The song highlights the paradoxical nature of existence, as the man sings his song but receives no response.
"Festival of kindness" is mentioned sarcastically, ridiculing the idea that winning is the most important thing. The focus on emotions as expensive commodities and the preference for gold and silver over feelings exemplify society's materialistic values. The lyrics portray a world where people pass the time as they can, where everything is measured, but ultimately, indifference prevails.
The song further depicts the passing of time, the deafness of God, the fear of leaving wealth behind, and the onlookers surrounding us. The lyrics cleverly contrast this with a request for Christian tickets and a plea for Latin, invoking religious traditions and implying a final verse whispered in the context of death. Ultimately, the song suggests that when one dies, it is a definitive end.
Overall, "Et des clous" serves as a sharp critique of societal values, materialism, and the fruitless pursuit of happiness. It prompts listeners to reflect on the transient nature of pain, the importance of accepting life as it is, and the ultimate inevitability of death.
Line by Line Meaning
Amant plaqué par la vie, amour brisé, c'est la vie
Lover abandoned by life, love shattered, that's how life goes
Regard braqué sur la nuit, au bout du quai, c'est fini
Gaze fixed on the night, at the end of the platform, it's over
Chagrin qui mord aujourd'hui, demain encore, tu l'oublies
Sorrow that bites today, tomorrow you forget it again
Le cœur s'en va, résigné, t'en fais donc pas, c'est gagné
The heart goes away, resigned, so don't worry, it's won
Mais gagné quoi, savez-vous ? Quatre planches de bois et des clous
But won what, do you know? Four wooden boards and some nails
Si tu veux faire ton bonheur, prends les choses comme elles sont
If you want to find happiness, take things as they are
Solitaire sur la Terre
Solitary on Earth
L'homme chante sa chanson mais rien, jamais, ne lui répond
Man sings his song but nothing, ever, answers him
Les sentiments, c'est coûteux, l'or et l'argent, c'est bien mieux
Feelings are expensive, gold and silver are much better
On passe le temps comme on peut "Ça fera tant, cher monsieur"
We pass the time as we can "That will be so much, dear sir"
Ton capital bien compté, tout m'est égal, si j'en ai
Your well-counted capital, everything is the same to me, if I have some
C'est le festival de bonté, le principal, c'est de gagner
It's the festival of goodness, the main thing is to win
Mais de gagner quoi, savez-vous ? Quatre planches et des clous
But win what, do you know? Four wooden boards and some nails
Sur la Terre, ça change guère
On Earth, things hardly change
C'est toujours la même chanson mais la vie chante à sa façon
It's always the same song but life sings in its own way
Le temps qui court sous la peau, le bon Dieu sourd comme un pot
Time running under the skin, God deaf as a pot
La trouille pour le magot et tout autour, des badauds
Fear for the booty and all around, onlookers
Donne-moi, chrétien, des tickets, parle en latin, s'il te plaît
Give me, Christian, some tickets, speak in Latin, please
Dernier refrain chuchoté, dis-moi, combien pour gagner ?
Last whispered refrain, tell me, how much to win?
Pour gagner quoi, savez-vous ? Quatre planches et des clous
To win what, do you know? Four wooden boards and some nails
Si tu veux faire ton bonheur, prends les choses comme elles sont
If you want to find happiness, take things as they are
Sous la Terre, la poussière
Under the Earth, the dust
C'était l'homme et sa chanson, quand on est mort, c'est pour de bon !
It was the man and his song, when we're dead, it's for good!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GRAHAM JOHN STACK, MARK TAYLOR, PAUL MICHAEL BARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind