La Nouvelle-Orléans
Olivier Constantin Lyrics
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De cette ville enchantée
Où toutes les femmes sont tellement jolies
Qu'elles ont les hommes à leurs pieds
Où la musique résonne sans fin
Du soir au matin, du matin au soir
Quand on entend cette musique au loin
On se sent à nouveau rempli d'espoir
Prends ma main et emmène-moi
Tout est permis, on a tous les droits
Ce sont les rêves qui font la loi
À la Nouvelle-Orléans
Y'a de la magie, du vaudou
Mais n'y touche pas ou tu deviendra fou
Il y a des gagnants et des perdants à tous les coups
À la Nouvelle-Orléans
Dépêche-toi, viens nous voir
Le plus dur c'est quand on repart
Viens prendre un peu de bon temps, c'est jamais trop tard
À la Nouvelle-Orléans
Dans le lointain s'élèvent
Les manoirs des rois du coton et des fèves
Riches et pauvres y exaucent leurs rêves
C'est ça la Nouvelle-Orléans
The song La Nouvelle-Orléans by Olivier Constantin is an ode to the city of New Orleans. The lyrics showcase the magical atmosphere of the city, where the Mississippi River is regarded as the king of the town, and where all women are beautiful enough to have men at their feet. The music never seems to stop in the city, and it fills the air from dawn to dusk, and vice versa. This sound instills a sense of hope and aspiration in the listeners.
The lyrics urge the listener to come and experience the city's magic firsthand. In New Orleans, everything is allowed, and everyone has a sense of freedom that comes with dreaming. However, there's magic and voodoo in the air, and one is warned not to touch it lest they go mad. The song advises the listener that there are winners and losers in the city, but that shouldn't deter them from visiting. The hardest part isn't arriving in the city, but leaving it. The city offers a chance to let loose and enjoy life, no matter how late it is.
Overall, the song celebrates the city of New Orleans and all it has to offer. It rejoices in its unique atmosphere and culture, urging the listener to come and have a firsthand experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu es le roi, Mississipi
Addressing the Mississippi River as the king of the enchanted city of New Orleans.
De cette ville enchantée
Describing New Orleans as a magical city.
Où toutes les femmes sont tellement jolies
Noting that all the women in the city are beautiful.
Qu'elles ont les hommes à leurs pieds
Stating that the women have all the men at their feet.
Où la musique résonne sans fin
Describing a city where music never stops playing.
Du soir au matin, du matin au soir
Emphasizing that the music is non-stop, day and night.
Quand on entend cette musique au loin
Noting that when one hears the music in the distance.
On se sent à nouveau rempli d'espoir
Feeling hopeful again from hearing the music.
Prends ma main et emmène-moi
Inviting someone to take the artist's hand and go with him.
Tout est permis, on a tous les droits
Stating that everything is allowed and everyone has the right to enjoy themselves in New Orleans.
Ce sont les rêves qui font la loi
Declaring that the dreams are the only laws in the city.
Y'a de la magie, du vaudou
Noticing that there is magic, voodoo present in the city.
Mais n'y touche pas ou tu deviendra fou
Warning someone not to touch the magic or voodoo or they will become insane.
Il y a des gagnants et des perdants à tous les coups
Acknowledging that there are both winners and losers in the city.
Dépêche-toi, viens nous voir
Urging someone to come and see the city soon.
Le plus dur c'est quand on repart
Admitting that the hardest part is when one has to leave.
Viens prendre un peu de bon temps, c'est jamais trop tard
Inviting someone to come and enjoy themselves, it's never too late.
Dans le lointain s'élèvent
Describing how in the distance, one can see.
Les manoirs des rois du coton et des fèves
The mansions of the cotton and bean kings.
Riches et pauvres y exaucent leurs rêves
Noting that both rich and poor people can fulfill their dreams in the city.
C'est ça la Nouvelle-Orléans
Concluding that this is what New Orleans is really like.
Writer(s): Randy Newman
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.