Les sans-papiers
Nicolas Bacchus Lyrics


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Charters, au r'voir, papier mouchoir
C'est juste sous vos papiers-rideaux
N'ayez plus peur, papier d'humeur
De protester :

Laissez passer les sans papiers
Ministres, préfettes, papier en-tête
Promis, pas fait, papier froissé
Nous, on est prêt.
Tous vos décrets, papier WC
Vos lois bancales, papier journal
Doivent faire plaisir, papier "papieren"
Aux nostalgiques

La bête exulte, papier oc…culte
Quand c'est Jospin, papi…essuie-mains
Ou Chevèn'ment, encore vivant ?
Qui r'passent les plats.

Les préfectures, papier ordure
Leurs policiers, rues quadrillées
Font du zèle et, papiers cachés
Se lavent les mains

Assez attendu, pas pied de grue
Faut s'décider, papiers signés
Laissez passer les sans papiers
Faites circuler !

Laissez passer les sans papiers
Ministres, préfettes, papier en-tête
Promis, pas fait, papier gâché
Faites circuler !





Allez, circulez, circulez, circulez

Overall Meaning

The song "Les sans-papiers" by Nicolas Bacchus speaks to the struggles many undocumented immigrants face on a daily basis. The chorus, "Laissez passer les sans papiers," which translates to "Let the undocumented pass," is a plea to those in power, such as ministers and prefects, to allow undocumented immigrants to live and work without fear of deportation. The song highlights the hypocrisy of those in power who use legal documents such as "papier en-tête" or official documents, to justify their actions, while the undocumented immigrants are left with nothing but "papier WC" or toilet paper.


The lyrics speak to the complicated and confusing world of immigration policies that often leave many undocumented immigrants without any rights or legal protections. The phrase, "N'ayez plus peur, papier d'humeur de protester," which translates roughly to "Don't be afraid, use whatever paper you have to protest," speaks to the power of protest and the importance of raising one's voice, even if one does not have official documents to legitimize their presence.


Overall, "Les sans-papiers" is a powerful and poignant song that sheds light on the struggles of undocumented immigrants and the need for a more just and humane immigration system.


Line by Line Meaning

Charters, au r'voir, papier mouchoir
Farewell to charters, tissue paper in hand


C'est juste sous vos papiers-rideaux
It's just hidden by your paper curtains


N'ayez plus peur, papier d'humeur
Don't be afraid, emotional paper


De protester :
To speak out:


Laissez passer les sans papiers
Let the undocumented immigrants pass through


Ministres, préfettes, papier en-tête
Ministers, prefects, official paper


Promis, pas fait, papier froissé
Promised, not done, crumpled paper


Nous, on est prêt.
We are ready.


Tous vos décrets, papier WC
All your decrees, toilet paper


Vos lois bancales, papier journal
Your flawed laws, newspaper


Doivent faire plaisir, papier 'papieren'
Must please, paper 'papieren'


Aux nostalgiques
Of the nostalgic ones


La bête exulte, papier occulte
The beast exults, hidden paper


Quand c'est Jospin, papier essuie-mains
When it's Jospin, paper hand towel


Ou Chevèn'ment, encore vivant ?
Or Chevènement, still alive?


Qui r'passent les plats.
Who pass the buck.


Les préfectures, papier ordure
Prefectures, paper trash


Leurs policiers, rues quadrillées
Their policemen, streets cornered


Font du zèle et, papiers cachés
Act overzealous and hide papers


Se lavent les mains
Wash their hands of it


Assez attendu, pas pied de grue
Enough waiting, no standing around


Faut s'décider, papiers signés
We must decide, papers signed


Laissez passer les sans papiers
Let the undocumented immigrants pass through


Faites circuler !
Spread the word!


Allez, circulez, circulez, circulez
Come on, move, move, move




Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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