Les Enfoirés (French for "The Tossers"), is the name given to the singers a… Read Full Bio ↴Les Enfoirés (French for "The Tossers"), is the name given to the singers and performers in the yearly charity concert for the Restaurants du Cœur (Les Restos du Cœur).

On January 26, 1986, French humorist Coluche, who had set up Les Restos du Cœur a few months earlier, invited a number of artists and public figures to appear on television as a promotional move. The band, whose line-up was never the same, was dubbed "Les Enfoirés" in reference to one of Coluche's catchwords. After Coluche died in a motorbike accident (June 19, 1986) his widow, Véronique Colucci, called on those who had participated to continue his actions, and the band was revived for a further television show. The concept has since evolved into an annual concert, bringing together up to forty artists and celebrities from various backgrounds. The funds raised by the concerts and derived records under the name "Enfoirés" are donated to Les Restos du Cœur.

One of the key features of Les Enfoirés is "La Chanson des Enfoirés", a song which became a sort of hymn to the charity, written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, a long-time supporter of the organisation.

Quand on n'a que l'amour
Les Enfoirés Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
A s'offrir en partage
Au jour du grand voyage
Qu'est notre grand amour

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Mon amour toi et moi
Pour qu'éclatent de joie

Chaque heure et chaque jour

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Pour vivre nos promesses
Sans nulle autre richesse
Que d'y croire toujours

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Pour meubler de merveilles
Et couvrir de soleil
La laideur des faubourgs

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Pour unique raison
Pour unique chanson
Et unique secours

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Pour habiller matin
Pauvres et malandrins
De manteaux de velours

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
A offrir en prière
Pour les mots de la terre
En simple troubadour

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
A offrir à ceux-là
Dont l'unique combat
Est de chercher le jour

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Pour tracer un chemin
Et forcer le destin
À chaque carrefour

Quand On N'a Que L'amour
Pour parler aux canons
Et rien qu'une chanson
Pour convaincre un tambour

Alors sans avoir rien
Que la force d'aimer

Nous aurons dans nos mains
Amis le monde entier.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Les Enfoirés's song Quand on n'a que l'amour describe the power and importance of love. The song suggests that when one has only love, they have everything. It can be shared, spread joy, and act as a source of strength and comfort, without needing any other form of wealth. The song also touches on love's ability to transform, to bring light and beauty into even the ugliest or darkest parts of the world. It highlights the importance of maintaining faith in love, as it can offer hope, direction, and purpose.

The repetition of the phrase "Quand on n'a que l'amour" in each stanza serves to reinforce the idea that love is the only thing that really matters. The lyrics suggest that love can serve as a guiding force in life, offering a pure and powerful source of comfort and support. Finally, the song ends on a hopeful note, stating that with the strength of love in their hands, they will have the entire world.

Overall, the song's message is one of hope, love, and unity, serving as a reminder that no matter what, love is there to provide solace and support, and can serve as a unifying force for all.

Line by Line Meaning

Quand On N'a Que L'amour A s'offrir en partage Au jour du grand voyage Qu'est notre grand amour
When we have only love to share, on the day of the big journey, our great love is all we have.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Mon amour toi et moi Pour qu'éclatent de joie Chaque heure et chaque jour
When we have only love, you and I, for every hour and every day to be filled with joy.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Pour vivre nos promesses Sans nulle autre richesse Que d'y croire toujours
When we have only love to live up to our promises, with no other wealth but the belief in it.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Pour meubler de merveilles Et couvrir de soleil La laideur des faubourgs
When we have only love to decorate with wonders and cover with sunshine the ugliness of the suburbs.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Pour unique raison Pour unique chanson Et unique secours
When we have only love as the sole reason, the only song, and the only support.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Pour habiller matin Pauvres et malandrins De manteaux de velours
When we have only love to dress the poor and the rogues in velvet coats in the morning.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour A offrir en prière Pour les mots de la terre En simple troubadour
When we have only love to offer in prayer, to be a simple troubadour for the words of the earth.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour A offrir à ceux-là Dont l'unique combat Est de chercher le jour
When we have only love to offer to those whose only struggle is to find the day.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Pour tracer un chemin Et forcer le destin À chaque carrefour
When we have only love to pave the way and force destiny at every crossroad.

Quand On N'a Que L'amour Pour parler aux canons Et rien qu'une chanson Pour convaincre un tambour
When we have only love to talk to the cannons, and only a song to convince a drum.

Alors sans avoir rien Que la force d'aimer Nous aurons dans nos mains Amis le monde entier.
Then, with nothing else but the strength of love, we will have the entire world in our hands, my friends.

Writer(s): BREL JACQUES

Contributed by Sophie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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