Barbarie
Léo Ferré Lyrics

The lyrics of Leo Ferre's song "Barbarie" paint a bleak picture of the anonymous, everyday streets where poverty, prostitution, and violence reign supreme. The first stanza describes the presence of beggars, or "Jesuses," who haunt the street with their tired eyes and outstretched hands for alms. The singer addresses the titular figure of Barbarie, a symbol of the cold indifference of society towards the destitute, urging them to spare a few coins for these beggars, while recognizing the bitter-sweet quality of this act of charity. However, the singer also acknowledges their own apathy towards this harsh reality, as they declare their personal detachment from the situation.

The second stanza introduces the image of prostitutes selling their bodies like fresh meat in the street markets. The singer advises Barbarie to keep their money, implying that paying for sex is not a solution to their problems. Instead, they hint at a "known remedy," which is left unsaid. These women are also victims of the brutal conditions of daily life, as they have been forced to debase themselves and sacrifice their dignity to survive.

The third stanza turns darker still, as the singer describes a murderer who has struck down a pilgrim in the street. The killing is portrayed as accidental, but the violence of the act is so pervasive that it contaminates the whole street, which is now "nauseating" and headed towards the gallows. The murderer is not named, and the crime is not elaborated upon, leaving the listener to imagine the gruesome details. Finally, in the fourth stanza, the singer concludes with a warning to Barbarie to be wary of false promises, and to be mindful of the short-lived nature of happiness.