La berceuse
Mes Aïeux Lyrics

The lyrics of Mes Aïeux's song, La berceuse, describe the destructive actions of humans on the environment in a metaphorical way. The first verse tells us to dig deep into the belly of the earth, all the way to China and hell if necessary. It asks us to mine everything from gold nuggets to specks of dust, but to dig our graves without a prayer. The second verse tells us to pump the last drop of oil from the earth, to dive to the bottom of the barrel and fatten up pigs with the remnants of fossils. It tells us to pump relentlessly, as is willed. The third verse describes how we should divert the rivers from their natural courses, without any consideration for the millennia-old paths they have carved out. We should move mountains and entire tribes, and divert the funds without looking back. The singer, on the other hand, sings a lullaby that reassures the child who trembles inside in the face of these horrific actions. While we dig, pump, and divert, the singer draws a picture, invents a story, and hopes for the wind to change.

The chorus of the song repeats the line "Pendant que tu creuses, je hante une berceuse," which roughly translates to "While you dig, I haunt a lullaby." This repetition emphasizes the stark contrast between the destruction happening outside and the singer's attempt to comfort the child inside. The song shines a light on humanity's disregard for the environment and its short-term thinking, ignoring the long-term impact of these actions.