She was entombed on September 18, 1998 in Montparnasse Cemetery. She is the mother of the singer Dominique Walter and the photographer Florence Gruère.
Arnaud was awarded a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. She was the first entrant for Luxembourg in the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ballade des oiseaux de croix
Michèle Arnaud Lyrics
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Enfants courez courez aux champs, soufflez dans vos doigts
Les oiseaux d'octobre sont les oiseaux du froid froid froid
Quand l′aube frissonne à la peau,
Amants tuez tuez le temps dans les petits bois,
Les corbeaux sont bien moins farouches que l'ont croit croit croit
Soldats tuez d′autres soldats, mais ne tuez pas
Les oiseaux de Verdun les oiseaux de Rocroi, croi croi
Quand la nuit sur vous descendra,
Amants soldats ou innocents, il ne restera
Dans les champs désertés que les oiseaux de croix croix croix
The lyrics of Michèle Arnaud's song "Ballade des oiseaux de croix" depict different scenarios of dawn and the actions associated with it. The recurring theme throughout the song is the presence of birds, symbolizing various aspects of life and human experiences.
In the first stanza, the lyrics convey a sense of coldness and the arrival of autumn. The mention of "oiseaux d'octobre" (birds of October) represents the birds associated with the cold weather. The children are urged to run to the fields and blow on their fingers, possibly to keep warm. The reference to "ormeaux" (elm trees) adds to the atmosphere of a chilly morning.
The second stanza shifts the focus to lovers who seek solace in nature. They are advised to spend their time in the woods, where the crows are portrayed as less timid than they may seem. This suggests that even in moments of solitude, nature can provide comfort and companionship.
The third stanza introduces a contrasting theme of war and violence. It addresses soldiers, urging them to fight other soldiers but not to harm the birds of Verdun and Rocroi. The use of repetition in "croi croi" emphasizes the importance of sparing the birds in the midst of warfare. This stanza raises questions about the senselessness of conflict and the value of preserving innocent life.
The final stanza speaks to the inevitability of darkness and the transience of human existence. Whether lovers, soldiers, or innocents, all will ultimately be faced with nightfall. The deserted fields serve as a reminder that only the birds of the cross (symbolic of death or burial) will remain.
Overall, "Ballade des oiseaux de croix" presents a juxtaposition of natural beauty, human emotions, and the harsh realities of war, leaving the listener with a contemplation of life's fleeting nature and the need to cherish moments of peace and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Quand l'aube frissonne aux ormeaux,
When the dawn shivers upon the elms,
Enfants courez courez aux champs, soufflez dans vos doigts
Children, run to the fields, blow into your fingers
Les oiseaux d'octobre sont les oiseaux du froid froid froid
The birds of October are the birds of cold, cold, cold
Quand l'aube frissonne à la peau,
When the dawn shivers upon the skin,
Amants tuez tuez le temps dans les petits bois,
Lovers, kill, kill time in the small woods,
Les corbeaux sont bien moins farouches que l'on croit croit croit
The crows are much less wild than we believe, believe, believe
Quand l'aube frisonne au drapeau
When the dawn shivers upon the flag,
Soldats tuez d'autres soldats, mais ne tuez pas
Soldiers, kill other soldiers, but do not kill
Les oiseaux de Verdun les oiseaux de Rocroi, croi croi
The birds of Verdun, the birds of Rocroi, believe, believe
Quand la nuit sur vous descendra,
When the night descends upon you,
Amants soldats ou innocents, il ne restera
Lovers, soldiers, or innocents, there will remain
Dans les champs désertés que les oiseaux de croix croix croix
In the deserted fields, only the birds of the cross, cross, cross
Writer(s): Serge Gainsbourg
Contributed by Eva R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.