16.03.48
Richard Desjardins Lyrics

Japon ! Japon !
Opening with the word Japan being repeated refers to the destructive bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two important cities in Japan during World War II by America using nuclear bombs.

Cette poussière qui retombe,
Describing the destructive aftermath of the atomic bombing as the smoke and debris after the bomb was dropped, and how it settled on the ground, causing destruction and death.

Blanche comme de la craie
The metaphor of the debris being as white as chalk, representing the destruction and death that occurred in an instant.

Einstein emportant son secret
Referring to Albert Einstein, the award-winning scientist, who came up with the theory of relativity and later worked on the atomic bomb. The line means that Einstein carried the knowledge needed to create the atomic bomb, which was used to devastating effect in Japan’s cities.

Jusque dans sa bombe.
The line ends with the metaphor of the knowledge and science developed by Albert Einstein, being used to create a destructive weapon which would destroy Japan's cities in an effort to end World War II.

Tout est calme sur l'océan,
This line creates a mood of calm before a disaster or aftermath, hinting at the tense and anxious atmosphere of Japan before the atomic bombings and violence that characterized World War II.

L'avion ramène l'homme puissant
Referring to American officials who were carried by plane, a symbol of the military power and wealth of the United States, back and forth between locations during World War II.

Son attaché sort les dossiers
The people with the official documents, those in charge of decision-making and bureaucratic work for the US Government, brought with them important information used to inform the officials of their missions and goals.

Et lui résume la situation :
The line is talking about an exchange between officials about the situation on ground, the progress status, or situation update from another location in the country or world.

" Sir ! Palomar vient de trouver
A reference to the California Institute of Technology Palomar Observatory, where a new constellation was discovered, and the process of deciding to name it after an important figure in society who may have been responsible for funding or other reasons.

Une nouvelle constellation,
The discovery of constellations in the sky was significant of academic and scientific pursuits of many nations, and had cultural and spiritual significance. Palomar Observatory was an integral part of discovering new constellations.

J'ai donc exercé les pressions
The official uses their influence, authority, or power to achieve their objectives or gain favor for the nation or institution they represent.

Pour qu'elle porte votre nom. "
The line refers to the request by officials that the new constellation be named after someone with influence or power, indicating that it was a request made based on interest or ego rather than a real recognition of significant contributions.

" Well! Have a cigar for Palomar! "
The line is referencing a quote where the character celebrated success by smoking a cigar. It refers to the feeling of success, praise, or satisfaction after achieving a goal, especially after being recognized for their contribution.

" Et dites-moi, Mister le président,
Addressing the US president about an issue related to the coal mine workers' strikes in the country.

Quelle est votre suggestion
Asking the President for their solution to the challenges, problems, or crises facing the country or people.

Pour cette grève dans le charbon ? "
Asking the President to provide a solution to the strike by coal mine workers, which could potentially cause financial instability, social unrest, and loss of jobs.

" Ecoutez ! moi j'me creuse la tête,
A line said by the President, showing concern and seeking a solution to the problem at hand, indicating that he is worried about the situation and actively looking for ways to solve it.

Faut qu'y en ait qui creusent la mine,
The President understands that there needs to be a solution that allows coal miners to keep their jobs by continuing to dig and extract coal from mines, even if it means putting themselves in danger.

Alors qu'y creusent, qu'y creusent all right
The workers must continue to mine coal to keep their jobs and the country’s economy running.

Ils se reposeront rendus en Chine. "
The workers will be able to rest and take a break when they reach China after work. The line could mean that Chinese workers had better working conditions, or that US companies outsourced their labor to Chinese workers to save money.

Là-bas, vieux chêne millénaire,
Referring to a very old oak tree that had survived multiple lightning strikes, still standing tall despite its challenges and a reflection on what can endure the effects of time.

Cent fois fendu par la foudre,
The lightning strikes have struck the tree multiple times, causing it to be separated into several parts and showing the long-standing existence of the tree.

Sans feuilles et secs comme la poudre,
The tree had no leaves and had become dry, representing the insignificance of the tree and its inability to be useful or important.

Petit bourgeon de marbre noir.
The small black marble sprout that emerged from the stump of the tree, despite all the damages it had received over the years, represents the new beginning or discovery taking place and the ability to persist and renew regardless of the impacts of time.

" Camarades, camarades,
A phrase used to address a group of people as comrades or allies.

Nous tenons la Mandchourie.
Referring to the occupation of a region in China by the Japanese imperial army and the control they assert in the region.

Allons préparer le festin
The line is referring to a celebratory dinner or banquet and signifies a sense of victory or success after likely taking over control of the region.

Pour un milliard de bol de riz.
The celebration included the provision of food for the population, likely indicating the exploitation of the local people and a display of power by the Japanese army.

Le printemps monte dans mes racines,
The line is a metaphor for the growth and flourishing of a people, indicating that there is a sense of revitalization for the people in the occupied region because of the coming of Spring.

Demain on monte sur Pékin
Referring to how the Japanese army moved from one region of China to another using their military prowess and anticipating a continued wave of victory against their enemies in the next location.

Aller sucer la mandarine. "
The line is a metaphor for embracing the culture and lifestyle of the people in the region, which would lead to prosperity and success, via the control of the local population's heritage and resources.

Au Kentucky à la même heure
Referring to a different country, America, and simultaneously developed or happening incident or event in comparison to the occupation of China and board meeting in Japan earlier in the song.

Ça s'est passé tellement vite,
The line shows that an incident in Kentucky happened quickly, suggesting that it might be an accident or a sudden, unexpected event.

Quatre ouvriers font une erreur
The cause of the sudden event was a mistake made by four workers who were not attentive, cautious, or careful, and did not follow established procedures or safety measures.

Dans une fabrique de dynamique.
The place where the mistake happened was a factory that made dynamite or explosives, raising the danger and risk of the accident occurring even more.

Joue ! charango troué de plomb
The reference to the charango, a stringed instrument, represents an object or item that has been impacted by bullets or gunfire, reflecting the violence and harm caused by war.

Nuit après nuit sous la mitraille,
The line reflects on the effect of war on the average person's psyche, resulting in trauma and nightmares, and the constant sound of artillery and gunfire causing a sense of being trapped in the cycle of violence.

On m'avait mis dans un canon
The idea of being placed in or shot out of a cannon, together with the discussion of the charango, refers to the destruction and harm caused by war and military power on innocent people caught up in the chaos.

Enveloppé dans de la paille.
The use of straw, a usually humble and unassuming material, to wrap and protect an object or person, shows the lack of care or concern for safety during such times of war.

Joue ! charango pour ma mère !
The charango is played for the person's mother, who is a symbol of love, nurturing, and safety, indicating the longing for peace and safety outside of the dangers of war.

Elle s'est levée mettre sa jaquette
The reference to the mother putting on her jacket shows how mothers and families in times of war have to be prepared to leave their homes suddenly with very little preparation.

Et je voyais de la lumière
The person in the song viewed the light of the gun being fired and is a symbol of seeing the reality of the situation in war, which is usually harsh and brutal, with little hope for a positive outcome.

Par la fente de la gâchette.
The line refers to the small opening or crack in a gun, indicating that danger, violence, and destruction are so close and so frequent that they can be seen or sensed even in small objects or spaces.

" Dis-moi maman : Pourquoi pas rien
A line by the person speaking to their mother, questioning the progress and violence experienced in the world, the bad things happening to good people, and the general chaos in the world.

Au lieu de ça ? "
The line implies that the artist wonders why there can't be peace, calm, and nothingness, rather than the troubles and problems experienced in the world as a result of wars and unrest.

" Pour allonger ma main
The mother responds to the singer, saying that they must not give up hope and should not stop reaching out to others or seeking solutions to the world's problems in the hope of making the world a better place.

Quand tu passeras. "
The line is a symbol of hope, that despite the challenges and obstacles, life will go on and the artist will find safety and comfort in the company of loved ones who will receive them with open arms.

Justine appela son taxi.
The opening line of the last stanza indicates that the singer Justine called a taxi, and implies a sense of urgency or emergency that requires an immediate response.

" À l'hôpital et faites ça vite !"
The line indicates that the person is in a hurry, they're either injured, sick, or late for an appointment, and they need to get to their intended destination as soon as possible.

C'était en mars quarante-huit,
Referring to a specific event that happened in the month of March of 1948, maybe something personal to the person speaking.

Et la douleur et me voici.
The line indicates that the person in the song has recently experienced or is currently experiencing intense pain, physical or emotional, and as a result, they are troubled and overwhelmed by the event.

Il aura le nom de Richard,
The line indicates that something or someone will be named Richard, possibly in honor of someone who had passed away or, more likely, to honor an important figure in history or society.

Faut pas compter sur le hasard.
The last line of the song indicates that nothing in life is a coincidence. It suggests that there is a grander plan at work, and everything happens for a specific reason, whether known or unknown to us.