This week one of the theme song prompts in my songwriters' group was to write about observations you have made as you've grown older. I am currently studying French in Duolingo, and so I decided to try my hand at writing and recording this song in French. So this was pretty challenging for me. I read a few Mallarmé poems with side-by-side translation into English to get some insight into how to structure a set of lyrics in French. And it helped a bit. I am going to be practicing a lot and hopefully get better!
[Edited spelling of vieille that was caught by Jerrie A.]
Am
Je regarde le ciel,
E/G#
Il fait sombre
C/G
Les pensées dans ma tête
D/F#
Dansent partiel des ombres.
F E
Qui vont à une fête.
Am
Mmm Bada bada Mmm Bada Bada Da
C
Je suis vieille.
Bm(b5)7
C’est un peu OK
Am
Mon pas est lent
E7
Sans aucune aide.
F C
Tant que je chante
G C
La nuit est belle. Mais
E7
Je suis vieille,
Am
Je suis vieille.
Am
Je regarde mon papier,
E/G#
Le stylo, le livre.
C/G
Je pense que c’est lá,
D/F#
À ma joie de vivre.
F E
Je demande comment ça va.
Am
Mmm Bada bada Mmm Bada Bada Da
C
Je suis vieille.
Bm(b5)7
C’est un peu OK
Am
Tant que j’écris
E7
Des chansons s’il te plait,
F C
Tant que je ris
G C
La nuit est belle. Mais
E7
Je suis vieille,
Am
Je suis vieille.
F C
Tant que je ris
G C
La nuit est belle. Mais
E7
Je suis vieille, Je suis agée,
Am
Je suis vieille.
[Translation in English]
I look at the sky,
It’s dark out.
The thoughts in my head
Dancing partial shadows
That are going to a party.
Mmm Ba bada Mmm Ba Bada Da
I am old.
That’s a little bit OK.
My step is slow
Without any aid.
As long as I sing
The night is lovely, but
I am old.
I am old.
I look at my paper,
The pen, the book.
I think it’s here,
My joy of life.
I ask how it’s doing.
Mmm Ba bada Mmm Ba Bada Da
I am old.
That’s a little bit OK
As long as I write
Songs, if you please.
As long as I laugh
The night is lovely, but.
I am old. I am aged.I am old.
@janeg Feb 2022
My French is pretty rusty but I can tell your Duolingo learning is way ahead of mine (in German). Nicely done.
@gmcgath Feb 2022
Writing in other languages is fun. My French is too out of practice to comment on yours, though I understood the words. Vraiment triste.
@jendistad Feb 2022
Beautiful. The light, lilting waltz beautifully supports these lyrics. I would love the "Mmm Ba bada Mmm Ba Bada" sections to be two lines long, instead of one. The harmonies on that bit are so rich and lovely. :)
@didge345 Feb 2022
The production values are great, you vocal here is also awesome. I can't comment on the French language aspects because I don't speak or understand that language, but a fun, lovely and quirky song. Great work!