Les marées
Safia Nolin Lyrics

The lyrics to Safia Nolin's song "Les marées" are written in French, and they describe a sense of unease and struggle with the past, present, and future. The opening verses describe a scene in a labyrinth, under conifers, with intertwined voices and drunkenness. The imagery is vivid and dark, as the singer mentions absinthe, a highly alcoholic and hallucinogenic drink. The disconnection between words and the sobering imagery of the guillotine, a symbol of death and punishment, creates an eerie and disturbing mood. The singer feels haunted and oppressed by these seemingly disparate elements, as if the guillotine is crying and drowning out the sound of the nearby river.

The chorus of the song depicts the singer's struggles with "les marées," or the tides. The tides represent the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of life, just like the sea's waves that can either bring new opportunities or devastating losses. The singer feels overwhelmed and helpless against the tides, being pushed towards an island and caught in the rain. However, the tides are also a teacher, showing the singer how to live through the night and endure boredom.

The final verses offer a glimmer of hope and resignation, as the singer reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The singer describes struggling with "battre le rien," or fighting against nothingness during the winter. However, the moon's countdown is relentless and carries the singer away. The guillotine's crying becomes more powerful, suggesting that the singer is on the brink of accepting the contradictions of life and finding peace with uncertainty.