Ernestine
Noir Désir Lyrics

The song "Ernestine" by Noir Désir tells the story of a woman named Ernestine who the singer has known before. He compares her to other women he has met, saying that she is slightly more refined but not completely sure of herself. He acknowledges that another one like her will inevitably come along, as that's the way it is in the land of sorcery. The singer describes how Ernestine uses various fragrances and drives an Austin that never starts. He advises her to either sleep or keep an eye out for the next clown who might be watching her. The singer tells her that the world is a competitive place and that it's not easy to make it to the top, but she should keep striving for her goals and avoid the distractions that come her way.

As the song progresses, the singer repeats the line "Ernestine, Ernestine, you hear voices, stay dignified." He offers some reassurance that she's not alone in hearing voices in her head and suggests that she should not let this distract her from maintaining her dignity. He acknowledges that the world is a noisy place and advises her to focus on the quiet moments, where she can tune out the distractions and focus on her goals.

The song ends with a simple repetition of Ernestine's name, emphasizing her importance in the singer's life, even though he acknowledges that there will be others who come along like her.