Ma dernière volonté
Serge Reggiani Lyrics

Moi qui ai vécu sans scrupules
As someone who lived a carefree life without any consideration for morality or ethics

Je devrais mourir sans remords
Expected to die with a clear conscience

J'ai fait mon plein de crépuscules
Having already lived a full life, filled with highs and lows

Je n'devrais pas crier encore
I shouldn't be asking for more time, as it would be greedy and pointless

Moi le païen, le pauvre diable
As a non-believer who saw Satan in a more favourable light compared to others

Qui prenait Satan pour un Bleu
A reference to Satan as a novice, i.e., inexperienced or unknowledgeable

Je rends mon âme la tête basse
To give away one's soul in humiliation or submission

La mort me tire par les cheveux
Death is pulling me towards it, and I have no escape

Dites-moi que le Bon Dieu existe
Hoping that God exists, and it brings comfort and assurance

Qu'il a une barbe et des mains
A description of God's appearance to make it more tangible and familiar

Que Saint-Pierre est le brave type
A reference to Saint Peter, portrayed as a kind and just figure in various books

Qu'on m'a décrit dans les bouquins
The description of heavenly figures found in various religious texts

Dites-moi que les anges ont des ailes
The description of heavenly figures found in various religious texts

Dites-moi que les poules ont des dents
Asking absurd questions as a form of humour in the face of death

Que je jouerai du violoncelle
Describing a heavenly activity one wishes to participate in after death

Là-haut dans mon costume blanc
Describing one's image in heaven, in a neat and clean white outfit

J'avais le blasphème facile
As someone who used to curse or swear without thought or guilt

Et j'entends d'ici mes copains
Knowing the response of friends and colleagues upon hearing of one's death

Crier: "le traître, l'imbécile
Calling out the person as someone who turned his back on their beliefs or as a foolish person

Il meurt comme un vulgaire chrétien"
Dying like an ordinary Christian whom he did not see eye to eye with

Qu'ils m'excusent si je suis lâche
Asking for forgiveness if he appears cowardly

Je veux bien rire autant qu'on veut
Although wanting to be humorous, it would have no bearing on his impending death.

Mais quand on se trouve à ma place
As someone facing impending death, having to experience it to feel its full weight

On prend quand même un coup de vieux
It ages you prematurely, no matter how old you are

Je vois de la lumière noire
Seeing darkness and the end of a journey

C'est ce qu'a dit le père Hugo
A reference to Victor Hugo's writing with the assumption he had authority on such topics

Moi qui ne pense pas à l'histoire
As someone who does not care for chronicles of life and past events

Je manque d'esprit d'à-propos
Not having the right words or tact in this delicate situation

Non, je n'ai vraiment plus la force
Having no more strength, probably physical or emotional

De faire un dernier jeu de mots
The ability to be humorous even in difficult times, having it disappear altogether

Je sors par la petite porte
Exiting life humbly and unceremoniously

J'ai le trouillomètre à zéro
Being scared makes one lose control over their faculties.

Quand faut y aller, il faut y aller
Knowing one must face his fate and accept it.

Monsieur Saint-Pierre, la charité
Asking for aid and compassion from Saint Peter, the gatekeeper of Heaven.

En plein soleil, en plein été
As someone who loves life and will take it as it comes, be it bright or dull.

C'est ma dernière volonté
A final request, something you wish for, or something that marked your life.

Vivre, vivre, vivre, vivre...
A desire to live life to the fullest, whatever it may bring, and despite its inevitable end.