Complainte de la Butte
Moulin Rouge [Original Soundtrack] Lyrics
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La lune trop rousse de gloire éclabousse ton jupon plein d'trous
La lune trop pâle caresse l'opale de tes yeux blasés
Princesse de la rue soit la bienvenue dans mon cœur brisé
The stairways up to la butte can make the wretched sigh
while windmill wings of the moulin shelter you and I
Je sens ta poitrine et ta taille fine
J'oublie mon chagrin
Je sens sur tes lèvres une odeur de fièvre de gosse mal nourri
Et sous ta caresse je sens une ivresse qui m'anéantit
The stairways up to la butte can make the wretched sigh
while windmill wings of the moulin shelter you and I
Et voila qu'elle trotte la lune qui flotte, la princesse aussi
La da da da da da da da da da
Mes rêves épanouis
Les escaliers de la butte sont durs aux miséreux
Les ailes du moulin protègent les amoureux
The song "Complainte De La Butte" from the movie Moulin Rouge is a beautiful French chanson that depicts a romantic and melancholic atmosphere. The song is sung by Rufus Wainwright, who plays the character of a bohemian writer Christian in the movie. The song is about a beautiful but broken-hearted woman who the writer meets on Butte Montmartre, the high hill in Paris. He describes the woman's striking red hair, pale moon-like face, and tired eyes that are a reflection of her pain. He calls her a "Princess of the street" and welcomes her into his broken heart.
The lyrics paint a picture of the writer's love for the woman who he sees as an enigmatic and fascinating figure. He feels her small hand searching for his, and her perfect figure wrapped in a delicate dress full of holes. He forgets his own pain when he is with her and describes feeling faint from her touch. The writer describes the moonlit night when the couple's dreams come true, indicating that he has found the love he sought for so long.
Overall, the lyrics to "Complainte De La Butte" are a beautiful ode to an idealized love and a tribute to the enchanting beauty of Butte Montmartre. The writer's emotions are deeply felt and expressed through his touching depiction of the woman he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
La lune trop blême pose un diadème sur tes cheveux roux
The pale moon places a crown on your red hair
La lune trop rousse de gloire éclabousse ton jupon plein d'trous
The red moon of glory splashes your dress full of holes
La lune trop pâle caresse l'opale de tes yeux blasés
The pale moon caresses the opal of your jaded eyes
Princesse de la rue soit la bienvenue dans mon cœur brisé
Street princess, welcome to my broken heart
Petite mandigotte je sens ta menotte qui cherche ma main
Little beggar girl, I feel your hand seeking mine
Je sens ta poitrine et ta taille fine J'oublie mon chagrin
I feel your chest and your delicate waist, I forget my sorrows
Je sens sur tes lèvres une odeur de fièvre de gosse mal nourri
I sense on your lips the smell of sickly undernourished children
Et sous ta caresse je sens une ivresse qui m'anéantit
And under your caress, I feel a drunkenness that consumes me
Et voila qu'elle trotte la lune qui flotte, la princesse aussi
And there she goes trotting, the floating moon, and the princess too
La da da da da da da da da da
Mes rêves épanouis
My blossoming dreams
Les escaliers de la butte sont durs aux miséreux
The stairs to the hill are hard for the poor
Les ailes du moulin protègent les amoureux
The wings of the mill protect the lovers
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.