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.
T'en as
Léo Ferré Lyrics
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Y'a des employés qui font leur métier
Et c'est bien comm' c'est
T' en as ! Moi pas !
Quand j'en aurai
Quand j'en aurai
Ça va changer
J' me paierai des habits
Princ' de galles
Et j'aurais des amis
Dans la salle
T' en as ! Moi pas !
Quand j'en aurai
Quand j'en aurai
Ça va changer
Et quant aux pépées
J'aurais plus qu'à m' baisser
Ou qu'à les ramasser
A moins qu'elles sach'nt grimper
Dans les gares y a pas qu' des voyages
Y'a des trains complets qui font leur métier
Et c'est bien comme c'est
Tu t' ailles ! Moi pas !
Quand j' me taillerai
Quand j' me taillerai
Ça va changer
J' remont'rai les duchesses à la source
En sleeping en espèces
En pousse-pousse
Tu t' ailles ! Moi pas !
Quand j' me taillerai
Quand j' me taillerai
Ça va changer
Et quant aux pépées
Qui viendront m' voir passer
Avec leurs chass's croisées
Faudrait qu'ell's puiss'nt grimper
Dans les cim'tières y'a pas qu' des veuves
Y'a des allongés
Qui n'ont plus d' métier
Et c'est bien comme c'est
Tu meurs ! Moi pas !
Quand j' mourirai
Quand j' mourirai
Tout s'ra changé
J'aurais plus aucun frais
D' blanchisseuse
Et j'aurais pour jeûner
La dent creuse
Tu meurs ! Moi pas !
Quand j' mourirai
Quand j' mourirai
Tout s'ra changé
Et quant aux pépées
Ell' n'auront qu'à s' baisser
Ou bien qu'à m' ramasser
A moins que j' puiss' grimper
The lyrics of Léo Ferré's song "T'en as" (translated as "You have it") speak to the disparities in society between those who have wealth and success and those who do not. The song portrays a sense of yearning and desire for a different life, fueled by envy and frustration.
The first verse talks about the banking industry and acknowledges that it's not just about money, but there are also employees who do their job, highlighting the acceptance of the status quo. The refrain "You have it! I don't! When I have it, when I have it, things will change" demonstrates the longing for a change in circumstances.
The second verse mentions the world of fashion, with references to expensive clothes and having friends in high society. Again, the refrain repeats the desire for change and improvement. The mention of "pépées," a colloquial term for attractive women, suggests that the singer believes that with wealth and status, he would have more access to romantic partners.
In the third verse, the focus shifts to train travel, emphasizing the crowdedness and the impersonal nature of the experience. The refrain takes on a different tone, with the singer telling someone to leave, implying a desire for solitude or escape. The lyrics mention luxury train compartments and exotic destinations, reflecting dreams of a more glamorous life.
The final verse brings up the topic of death and the cemetery. The lyrics suggest that in death, all the struggles and expenses of life will cease. The mention of a "blanchisseuse" (laundress) alludes to the burdens of daily life, while "la dent creuse" (the hollow tooth) symbolizes hunger and deprivation. The refrain takes on a different meaning once again, with the singer saying, "You die! I don't! When I die, everything will be changed." This could be interpreted as a desire for freedom from the constraints of life and a hope for a better afterlife.
Overall, "T'en as" reflects a sense of longing and dissatisfaction with one's current circumstances, paired with a desire for change and improvement. It highlights the gaps between different social classes and the yearning for a different life.
Line by Line Meaning
Dans les banques y'a pas qu' de l'oseille
In banks, it's not just about money
Y'a des employés qui font leur métier
There are employees who do their job
Et c'est bien comm' c'est
And that's how it should be
T'en as ! Moi pas !
You have it! I don't!
Quand j'en aurai
When I have it
Ça va changer
Things will change
J' me paierai des habits
I'll buy some clothes
Princ' de galles
Prince of Wales
Et j'aurais des amis
And I'll have friends
Dans la salle
In the room
Et quant aux pépées
And as for the girls
J'aurais plus qu'à m' baisser
I'll just have to bend over
Ou qu'à les ramasser
Or pick them up
A moins qu'elles sach'nt grimper
Unless they know how to climb
Dans les gares y a pas qu' des voyages
In train stations, it's not just about trips
Y'a des trains complets qui font leur métier
There are full trains doing their job
Tu t' ailles ! Moi pas !
You leave! I won't!
Quand j' me taillerai
When I leave
Ça va changer
Things will change
J' remont'rai les duchesses à la source
I'll bring the duchesses back to the source
En sleeping en espèces
In sleeping cars with cash
En pousse-pousse
In rickshaws
Et quant aux pépées
And as for the girls
Qui viendront m' voir passer
Who will come to see me pass by
Avec leurs chass's croisées
With their crossed legs
Faudrait qu'ell's puiss'nt grimper
They should be able to climb
Dans les cim'tières y'a pas qu' des veuves
In cemeteries, it's not just widows
Y'a des allongés
There are those lying down
Qui n'ont plus d' métier
Who no longer have a profession
Et c'est bien comme c'est
And that's how it should be
Tu meurs ! Moi pas !
You die! I won't!
Quand j' mourirai
When I die
Tout s'ra changé
Everything will be different
J'aurais plus aucun frais
I won't have any expenses
D' blanchisseuse
From a laundress
Et j'aurais pour jeûner
And I'll have nothing to eat
La dent creuse
An empty stomach
Et quant aux pépées
And as for the girls
Ell' n'auront qu'à s' baisser
They'll just have to bend over
Ou bien qu'à m' ramasser
Or pick me up
A moins que j' puiss' grimper
Unless I can climb
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, LES NOUVELLES EDITIONS MERIDIAN
Written by: Léo FERRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind