In 1972, Yves Duteil had first minor hit with a song called "Virages" (English: "Turns"). Included on his 1974 debut album L'Écritoire, it shares fame with such songs as the title track and from his next album, "J'attends" (1976), "Tisserand", "Les Batignolles" (an area of Paris), etc.
His 1977 album "Tarentelle" which will become his most classic, including not only his most famous song ("Prendre Un Enfant") but also such songs as the title track, "Le Petit Pont de Bois", "Le Mur De La Prison D'En Face" which have all become classicss.
In 2001, Duteil released "Sans Attendre", more introspective than ever and with much modesty, he tackles some aspects of his life in a way that can bring a deep sight on life, understood in the light of spiritual love. In a simple way, he sings about friendship in tough times ("Les Gestes Délicats"), compassion for a father who never showed him that much affection, which never prevents Duteil to answer with love and sings all the kind words he found to his father, no matter what his childhood was like ("Lettre À Mon Père"). And probably the most touching song: "Pour Que Tu Ne Meures Pas", which deals with Yves Duteil's wife's disease.
Sur une mappemonde
Yves Duteil Lyrics
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Que la Terre est bien ronde, que tout va pour le mieux.
Mais au niveau du sol, il y a des habitants
Et la cour de l'йcole, et tous les adjudants.
Des ocйans qui grondent, des montagnes en feu
Des immeubles qui tombent et des gens malheureux
C'est pour зa qu'il vaut mieux, quand on a des ennuis
Regarder vers le haut mais quand le ciel est gris
Sur une mappemonde, on les voit tout petits.
Je voudrais voir le Monde ainsi qu'on l'a dйcrit
Sur une mappemonde, avec tous ses pays
Mais au niveau du sol, il y a toujours des gens
Qui perdent la boussole en gagnant plein d'argent
Et les armйes qui marchent se dйchirent ou se noient
Sous les canons qui crachent qui dйtruisent et qui broient.
C'est pour зa qu'il vaut mieux, tant qu'on en a envie
Se trouver bienheureux d'кtre toujours en vie
А faire le tour du monde en rкvant dans son lit
Sur une mappemonde oщ tout est si joli
Oщ la Terre est bien ronde, oщ la mer est bien bleue
Oщ pour quelques secondes, tout irait pour le mieux.
Oщ la Terre est bien ronde, oщ la mer est bien bleue
Oщ pour quelques secondes, tout irait pour le mieux.
The song Sur une mappemonde by Yves Duteil is a reflection on the differences between the idealized world we see on maps and the harsh realities of life on the ground. The first verse describes the beauty of the world as we see it from afar, where the seas are blue and the Earth is round. However, on the ground, there are people living their lives, struggling with the challenges of daily existence. There are oceans that roar, mountains that spew fire, buildings that collapse, and unhappy people. The message here is that while it's important to look at the big picture occasionally, it's equally crucial to acknowledge the struggles that people face on an everyday basis.
The second verse goes on to describe Duteil's desire to see the world as it is shown on maps, with its neat divisions into countries and territories. But, as he points out, the reality on the ground is far more complex. There are people who lose their way despite gaining wealth, and armies who tear themselves apart over disputes that no one can truly win. Despite all of this, Duteil encourages his listeners to find happiness in their own lives, to travel the world and dream of a better future. This message is reinforced in the final chorus, where the idealized world is once again presented as a reminder that while we may not have it all figured out yet, it's important to hold on to hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Sur une mappemonde, on voit la mer en bleu
On a map of the world, the oceans are portrayed in blue
Que la Terre est bien ronde, que tout va pour le mieux
The Earth looks perfectly round and everything seems to be going well
Mais au niveau du sol, il y a des habitants
However, on the ground level, there are people living in it
Et la cour de l'йcole, et tous les adjudants
Including schoolyards and military personnel
Des ocйans qui grondent, des montagnes en feu
There are oceans roaring and mountains on fire
Des immeubles qui tombent et des gens malheureux
Buildings collapsing and people being unhappy
C'est pour зa qu'il vaut mieux, quand on a des ennuis
That's why it's better, when we have problems
Regarder vers le haut mais quand le ciel est gris
To look up, but when the sky is gray
Se dire que la Terre a des problиmes aussi
To remind ourselves that the Earth has problems too
Sur une mappemonde, on les voit tout petits.
But on a map of the world, they seem very small
Je voudrais voir le Monde ainsi qu'on l'a dйcrit
I would like to see the world as it's described
Sur une mappemonde, avec tous ses pays
On a map of the world with all its countries
Mais au niveau du sol, il y a toujours des gens
However, on the ground level, there are always people
Qui perdent la boussole en gagnant plein d'argent
Who lose their moral compass in pursuit of wealth
Et les armйes qui marchent se dйchirent ou se noient
And armies marching either tear apart or drown
Sous les canons qui crachent qui dйtruisent et qui broient.
Under the cannons that spit, destroy and grind
C'est pour зa qu'il vaut mieux, tant qu'on en a envie
That's why it's better as long as we desire
Se trouver bienheureux d'кtre toujours en vie
To feel blessed for still being alive
А faire le tour du monde en rкvant dans son lit
To dream of traveling the world while laying in bed
Sur une mappemonde oщ tout est si joli
On a map of the world where everything looks so beautiful
Oщ la Terre est bien ronde, oщ la mer est bien bleue
Where the Earth is perfectly round and oceans are blue
Oщ pour quelques secondes, tout irait pour le mieux.
Where for just a few seconds, everything seems perfect.
Oщ la Terre est bien ronde, oщ la mer est bien bleue
Where the Earth is perfectly round and oceans are blue
Oщ pour quelques secondes, tout irait pour le mieux.
Where for just a few seconds, everything seems perfect.
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.