La Complainte Du Phoque En Alaska
Composer(s): Michel Rivard
Performer(s): Beau Dommage; Félix Leclerc



Cré-moé, cré-moé pas
Quéqu' part en Alaska
Y a un phoque qui s'ennuie en maudit
Sa blonde est partie
Gagner sa vie
Dans un cirque aux États-Unis

Le phoque est tout seul
Y r'garde le soleil
Qui descend doucement sur le glacier
Y pense aux États
En pleurant tout bas
C'est comme ça quand ta blonde t'a lâché

Ça vaut pas la peine
De laisser ceux qu'on aime
Pour aller faire tourner
Des ballons sur son nez
Ça fait rire les enfants
Ça dure jamais longtemps
Ça fait plus rire personne
Quand les enfants sont grands

Quand le phoque s'ennuie
Y r'garde son poil qui brille
Comme les rues de New York après la pluie
Y rêve à Chicago
À Marilyn Monroe
Y voudrait voir sa blonde faire un show

C'est rien qu'une histoire
J' peux pas m'en faire accroire
Mais des fois j'ai l'impression qu' c'est moé
Qui est assis sur la glace
Les deux mains dans la face
Mon amour est partie pis j' m'ennuie

Ça vaut pas la peine
De laisser ceux qu'on aime
Pour aller faire tourner
Des ballons sur son nez
Ça fait rire les enfants
Ça dure jamais longtemps
Ça fait plus rire personne
Quand les enfants sont grands

Down In The Boondocks
Composer(s): Joe South
First release by: Billy Joe Royal - 1965
Covered by multiple other artists



Down in the boondocks, down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me but I don't fit her society
Lord have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Every night I watch the light of the house up on the hill
I love a little girl that lives up there and I guess I always will
But I don't dare knock on her door 'cause her daddy is my boss man
So I'll just have to be content to see her whenever I can
Down in the boondocks, down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me but I don't fit her society
Lord have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
(Down in the boondocks, down in the boondocks)
One fine day I'll find a way to move from this old shack
I'll hold my head up like a king and I never, never will look back
Until that morning I'll work and slave and I'll save every dime
But tonight she'll have to steal away to see me one more time
Down in the boondocks, down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me but I don't fit her society
Lord have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Lord have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Lord have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks

La Complainte Des Filles De Joie
((Italian Version: Canzone Per Le Ragazze Di Vita (by Beppe Chierici) - 1976))
Composer(s): Georges Brassens
First release by: Georges Brassens - 1962
Covered by multiple other artists



Bien que ces vaches de bourgeois 
Bien que ces vaches de bourgeois
Les appell'nt des filles de joie 
Les appell'nt des filles de joie
C'est pas tous les jours qu'ell's rigolent
Parole, parole
C'est pas tous les jours qu'elles rigolent

Car, même avec des pieds de grues 
Car, même avec des pieds de grues
Fair' les cents pas le long des rues 
Fair' les cents pas le long des rues
C'est fatigant pour les guibolles
Parole, parole
C'est fatigant pour les guibolles

Non seulement ell's ont des cors 
Non seulement ell's ont des cors
Des œils-de-perdrix, mais encor 
Des œils-de-perdrix, mais encor
C'est fou ce qu'ell's usent de grolles
Parole, parole
C'est fou ce qu'ell's usent de grolles

Y a des clients, y a des salauds
Y a des clients, y a des salauds
Qui se trempent jamais dans l'eau
Qui se trempent jamais dans l'eau
Faut pourtant qu'elles les cajolent
Parole, parole
Faut pourtant qu'elles les cajolent

Qu'ell's leur fassent la courte échelle 
Qu'ell's leur fassent la courte échelle
Pour monter au septième ciel 
Pour monter au septième ciel
Les sous, croyez pas qu'ell's les volent
Parole, parole
Les sous, croyez pas qu'ell's les volent

Ell's sont méprisées du public 
Ell's sont méprisées du public
Ell's sont bousculées par les flics 
Ell's sont bousculées par les flics
Et menacées de la vérole
Parole, parole
Et menacées de la vérole

Bien qu'tout' la vie ell's fass'nt l'amour 
Bien qu'tout' la vie ell's fass'nt l'amour
Qu'ell's se marient vingt fois par jour 
Qu'ell's se marient vingt fois par jour
La noce est jamais pour leur fiole
Parole, parole
La noce est jamais pour leur fiole

Fils de pécore et de minus 
Fils de pécore et de minus
Ris par de la pauvre Vénus 
Ris par de la pauvre Vénus
La pauvre vieille casserole
Parole, parole
La pauvre vieille casserole

Il s'en fallait de peu, mon cher
Il s'en fallait de peu, mon cher
Que cett' putain ne fût ta mère
Que cett' putain ne fût ta mère
Cette putain dont tu rigoles
Parole, parole
Cette putain dont tu rigoles

Down In Brazil
Composer(s): Michael Franks
Performer(s): Michael Franks
and multiple other artists



Down in Brazil
It takes a day to walk a mile
Time just stands still
And when the people you meet
Look at you, they smile
They still believe in style
They sooth you with their summers
Till you really know you're 
Down in old Brazil
You can tell you're down in old Brazil

Down in Brazil
They never heard of win or lose
If you can't feel
That all those cafe ole girls
In high heel shoes
Will really cure your blues
It seems they all just aim to please
Those women sway like wind
In the banana trees
Then you know you're
Down in old Brazil

Down in Brazil
They know a million ways to play
You start to feel
And when you're happy
It's the same as when you pray
You think you'll get away
Then you know you never will
Not when you've been
Down in old Brazil
Not when you are down in old Brazil

Down in old Brazil
Down in old Brazil
Down in old Brazil
Down in old Brazil

La Complainte De Mackie
((Adapted from: Die Moritat Von Mackie Messer (Kurt Gerron) - 1928))
Composer(s): Berthold Brecht - Kurt Weill - Boris Vian
Performer(s): Catherine Sauvage - 1965
and multiple other artists

Versions In Other Languages:
1954 - The Ballad Of Mack The Knife (Gerald Price)
1957 - Mack the Knife (Jonah Jones)
1991 - Mackie Messer (The Young Gods)
1994 - Moritat (Lyle Lovett)
2008 - Mackie Messer (Helmut Lotti)



Les dents longues, redoutables
Le requin tue sans merci
Le surin au fond d'la poche
Sans reproche, c'est Mackie

Sur les bords de la Tamise
Le sang coule dans la nuit
On périt les poches vides
Poches pleines, quelqu'un fuit

Gens de bien ou hommes riches
Disparaissent au grand jour
Sur leurs traces, quelqu'un passe
Qui ramène le butin

Jenny Trowler agonise
Un couteau entre les seins
Sur les rives dans l'eau grise
M'sieur Mackie s'en lave les mains

Et la veuve d'âge tendre
Que l'on viole dans son lit
Que l'on vole sans attendre
Le gentleman, c'est Mackie

Le feu gronde dans la ville
Le feu brille, la mort vient
On s'étonne, on questionne
Oui mais Mackie ne sait rien

Le sang coule des mâchoires
Au repas du grand requin
Mains gantées et nappe blanche
M'sieur Mackie croque son prochain...

Down In Bom-Bombay
Composer(s): Ballard Macdonald - Harry Carroll



If you're tired of this life, if you're lonely with one wife
take my little tip, take your little grip
take a little trip to India far away, down to Bom-Bombay

There the tropic breezes blow, there the waw waw bushes grow
where the girls are nice, they eat curried rice, full of red hot spice
in India far away, down in Bom-Bombay

Down in Bom-Bombay, where the palm trees sway, where you clap your hands
then you give commands to those Indian bands to play a little tom-tom (hear 'em) 
There the girlies sway, in Oriental way
Every cat has got nine lives, every man has got nine wives, down in Bom-Bombay
Down in Bom-Bombay, where the palm trees sway, where you clap your hands
then you give commands to those Indian bands to play a little tom-tom (hear 'em) 
There the girlies sway, in Oriental way
Where you lead the simple life, every day a different wife, down in Bom-Bombay

La Complainte De L'heure De Pointe
Performer(s): Joe Dassin



Dans Paris à velo on dépasse les autos
À vélo dans Paris on dépasse les taxis

Place des fêtes on roule au pas
Place Clichy on n'roule pas
La Bastille est assiégée
Et la République est en danger

Dans Paris à velo on dépasse les autos
À vélo dans Paris on dépasse les taxis

L'agent voudrait se mettre au vert
L'Opéra rêve de grand air
À Cambronne on a des mots
Et à Austerlitz c'est Waterloo

Dans Paris à velo on dépasse les autos
À vélo dans Paris on dépasse les taxis

Dans Paris à velo on dépasse les autos
À vélo dans Paris on dépasse les taxis

Dans Paris à velo on dépasse les autos
À vélo dans Paris on dépasse les taxis

Dans Paris à velo on dépasse les autos
À vélo dans Paris on dépasse les taxis

Down In Bermuda
Performer(s): The Del Vikings



Down! Down! Down! Down! Down!
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Oh! I fell in love
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda

Well, down in Bermuda
Oh! I fell in love
I met a pretty girl
She gave her hand in love
Down in Bermuda
Gonna pass the day
Down in Bermuda
Is where I want to stay
For I fell in love
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Well, down in Bermuda
Is where I want to go
I have a pretty girl oh! that she loves me so
When she takes me in her arms
And say that I'm the one
Down in Bermuda
Beneath the native sun
For I fell in love
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda

Down in Bermuda
Oh! Down in Bermuda
Oh! Down in Bermuda
Yes, down in Bermuda.
Oh! I fell in love
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda

Well, down in Bermuda
Is where I want to go
I have a pretty girl
Oh! she loves me so
When she takes me in her arms
And say I'm the one
Down in Bermuda
Beneath the native sun
For I fell in love
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda
Down in Bermuda

La Complainte De La Télé
Composer(s): Léo Ferré
Performer(s): Léo Ferré



On m'appell' la télé, la montreuse à tout-va
Avant d'fair' le trottoir j'me les caill' sur les toits
J'suis pas grand-chos' de bien, c'est sûr, mais ce qui m'gêne
C'est leurs yeux interlopes qui me luxent les antennes...
J'ai un gars qu'est direct et l'autre qu'on nomm' play-back
Et tout ça s'pellicule et tout ça s'met en boîte
Mais les clients sérieux c'est pas qu'ils m'embarrassent
Et pour pas fair' d'envieux j'me les fais face à face

On m'appell' la télé, la montreuse électrique
Et j'suis comme un' morphin' qu'endort la république
Quand y a des pinailleurs qui m'soulèv'nt des problèmes
Sur qui ou quoi ou qu'est-ce... j'leur dis: Jugez vous-mêmes
Un ministre à l'année que l'trottoir indispose
Entre deux cabinets fréquent' ma télé-close
Pour les yeux affamés qui vont chercher fortune
Dans mon lit à colonnes j'peux leur montrer ma Une

On m'appell' la télé des famill's tout c'qui y a d'mieux
J'ai des ministres occultes à qui je fais les yeux
J'suis la télé-partouze, final'ment, faut bien l'dire
Qu'importe la partouze quand c'est pour le plaisir
Des fois j'suis l'invisible, j'en ai qui marchent à ça
T'as pas vu, mon coco, mes soutiens-caméras?
Quand je suis exciting, y a de drôl's de poulets
Qui fout'nt un carré blanc sur ce qu'ils vont lorgner

On m'appell' la télé et j'fais tous les quartiers
Avec mes patt's en l'air j'ai l'voyeur assuré
L'Olympe s'est vidé, l'music-hall du bisness
Alors pour le remplir il tâte mon Palmarès
Depuis qu'j'ai d'la Lectur' pour tous j'suis un peu snob
J'bouffe avec Montherlant qui m'amélior' mon job
Mais comm' le vendredi c'est le jour d'la morue
Mon mac Panorama me fout au coin des rues

On m'appell' la télé d'la photo cavaleuse
Sur mon trottoir là-haut j'me sens tout' transisteuse
Tout comm' les fill's publiques qu'ont leur jour de sortie
Moi pour prendre un coup d'air faut qu'j'me tap' le rugby
Des fois j'suis comm' les grues qui font du sentiment
J'fais pas payer trop cher et tout l'monde est content
Des fois j'suis pas causeuse, c'est quand j'ai mes affaires
Alors je dis: Barka! et j'prends l'frais mon p'tit père ...

Down Honolulu Way
Composer(s): J.E. Dempsey - Earl Burtnett - Jos. A. Burke



I can see two eyes where in the lovelight gleams 
In my dreams, in my dreams 
I can hear a voice, as sweet as singing streams
Calling me, it seems 
O'er the old lagoon I see the glow worm playing 
Shoreward I can see the shelt'ring palm trees swaying 
While from afar I can hear a guitar 
Someone keeps softly saying

Dreamy eyes are watching on a south sea isle 
All the while, all the while 
Pretty lips are waiting with a wistful smile 
My heart to be guile 
Softer than the water in the fountain falling
Sweeter than an angel's evening song enthralling 
Whisp'ring to me of a blue, singing sea 
Nightly a voice is calling

Come where the moon is always shining 
Down Honolulu way
Come where the Palm trees sway 
Nighttime is just like day
And, while the sweet guitars are ringing 
We'll dream the night away 
Where the moonbeams play on the distant bay
Down Honolulu way

La Complainte De Gaud
Composer(s): Charles Aznavour - Louiguy
Performer(s): Charles Aznavour



Au bout de ses jambes s'il a deux pieds
C'est qu'il est fait pour bourlinguer
Pour tenir bon malgré les grains
Pour s'accrocher, pour aller loin
Au bout de ses bras s'il y a deux mains
C'est qu'il en a souvent besoin
Pour frapper fort, pour frapper bien
Ou pour lever un verre de vin
Mais pendant
Ce temps

La mer griffe le rivage
Et sur son visage
Meurt l'embrun
ses yeux se brouillent
Son regard patrouille
Quand son âme fouille
Sans remord
La vague change
son humeur étrange
Apporte un mélange
De pain que tu manges
Et de mort

Au bout de son corps perche une tête
Rusée, têtue, violente, honnête
Aux idées saines, aux idées nettes
Pleine de sang froid dans la tempête
Mais dans tout ça domine un coeur
Car l'homme entier est qu'un rêveur
Qui vit seul avec ses amours
À l'horizon de son retour
Et pendant
Ce temps

La mer griffe le rivage
Et sur son visage
Meurt l'embrun
ses yeux se brouillent
Son regard patrouille
Quand son âme fouille
Sans remord
La vague change
son humeur étrange
Apporte un mélange
De pain que tu manges
Et de mort

Down Home Girl ((aka Forgive Me Jah (Super Cat) - 1995))
((French Version: Pour Être À Toi (Ronnie Bird) - 1965))
Composer(s): Artie Butler - Jerry Leiber
First release by: Alvin Robinson - 1964
Covered by multiple other artists



Lord I swear the perfume you wear
Was made out of turnip greens
And everytime I kiss you girl
It tastes like pork and beans
Even though you're wearin' them
Citified high heels
I can tell by your giant step
You been walkin' through the cotton fields
Oh, you're so down home girl

Everytime you monkey child
You take my breath away
And everytime you move like that
I gotta get down and pray
Don't you know that dress of yours
Was made out of fiberglass
And everytime you move like that
I gotta go to Sunday mass
Oh, you're so down home girl

Oh, you're so down home girl

I'm gonna take you to the muddy river
And push you in
Just to watch the water roll on
Down your velvet skin
I'm gonna take you back to New Orleans
Down in Dixieland
I'm gonna watch you do the second line
With an umbrella in your hand
Oh, you're so down home girl

I'm with ya baby
You're so down home
Ow! Yeah, too much
Outta sight
You're so down home girl

La Compagnia
Composer(s): Carlo Donida - Mogol
First release by: Marisa Sannia - 1969
Covered by multiple other artists



Mi sono alzato, mi son vestito
e sono uscito solo per strada
ho camminato a lungo senza meta
finchè ho sentito cantare in un bar 

canzoni e fumo ed allegria
e ti ringrazio sconosciuta compagnia
non so nemmeno chi è stato a darmi un fiore
ma so che sento cantare il mio cuor ...

Felicità
ti ho persa ieri ed oggi ti ritrovo già
Tristezza va
una canzone il tuo posto
prenderà ...

Abbiam mangiato, e poi bevuto
è mai possibile che ti abbia già scordato?
eppure ieri morivo di dolore
ma oggi sento più caldo il mio cuor
ma oggi sento più caldo il mio cuor ...

Down Home Blues
Composer(s): George Jackson
First release by: Z.Z. Hill - 1982
Covered by multiple other artists



She said "Your party's jumpin' and ev'rybody's havin' a good time
Now you know what's goin' through my mind
Do you mind if I get comfortable and kick of these shoes
While you're fixin' me a drink
Play me some o'  them down home blues"

She say "I don't get out much on the town
And you know I done cut out a lot of that runnin' around
All week long I've been keepin' my cool
But tonight I'm gonna let my hair down
And get down with these down home blues"

Down home blues (down home blues)
Down home blues (down home blues)
All she wanted to hear was some down home blues
All night long, ev'ry other record or two
She said "Take off those fast records
And let me hear some down home blues"

She say "You know my ol' man is gonna wanna fight
He calls ev'ry hour I'll be gettin in tonight
But I don't care, tonight I'm gonna do as I choose
I'm gonna lay my head back
And party off these down home blues"

Down home blues (down home blues)
Down home blues (down home blues)
All she wanted to hear was these down home blues
All night long, ev'ry other record or two
She said "I'm gonna lay my head back
And party off these down home blues"

Down home blues (down home blues)
Down home blues (down home blues)
All she wanted to hear was those down home blues
All night long, ev'ry other record or two
She said "I'm gonna lay my head back
And party off these down home blues"

Down home blues (down home blues)
Down home blues (down home blues)
All see wanted to hear was those down home blues
All night long, ev'ry other record or two
She said "I'm gonna lay my head back
And party off these down home blues"

Down home blues (down home blues)
Down home blues (down home blues)
All she wanted to hear was these down home blues
All night long, ev'ry other record or two...

Down Home Again
Composer(s): Steve Marriott
Performer(s): Humble Pie



Well, the show's all over
I'll just pack my guitar
Well, what am I doing here, girl?
Get up--c'mon make for your car
Head on back to where the air is clear
There's a young girl there
Who's part of my life
She says I'm her only
I call her my wife
I'm so glad to be back home again
Well, let me sit down slowly
Put my feet up somewhere
I let it all out of my head
Well a day-dreamin' guitar-pickin'
Nothin'-doin' pint of milk
Wakes up with the horrors
Of a hotel bed
But it's alright, there's a hand on my cheek
And it belongs to the girl
That makes my will power weak
I'm so glad to be back home again
Oh, get on home
Well, there's a young girl there
Who's part of my life
She says I'm her only
But I call her my wife
I'm so glad to be back home again
Ooh, ooh
Get on home, yeah
I'm so glad to be back home again
I don't want your money
But I just want your lovin'
Well, I'm so glad to be back home again
I don't want your money
But I just want your lovin'
I'm so glad to be back home again
I don't want your money
But I just want your lovin'
I'm so glad to be back home again
I don't want your money
But I just want your lovin'
I'm so glad I'm back home again
I don't want your money
But I just want your lovin'

La Commune
Composer(s): Georges Coulonges - Jean Ferrat
Performer(s): Jean Ferrat



Il y a cent ans commun commune
Comme un espoir mis en chantier
Ils se levèrent pour la Commune
En écoutant chanter Potier
Il y a cent ans commun commune
Comme une étoile au firmament
Ils faisaient vivre la Commune
En écoutant chanter Clément

C'étaient des ferronniers
Aux enseignes fragiles
C'étaient des menuisiers
Aux cent coups de rabots
Pour défendre Paris
Ils se firent mobiles
C'étaient des forgerons
Devenus des meublots

Il y a cent ans commun commune
Comme artisans et ouvriers
Ils se battaient pour la Commune
En écoutant chanter Potier
Il y a cent ans commun commune
Comme ouvriers et artisans
Ils se battaient pour la Commune
En écoutant chanter Clément

Devenus des soldats
Aux consciences civiles
C'étaient des fédérés
Qui plantaient un drapeau
Disputant l'avenir
Aux pavés de la ville
C'étaient des forgerons
Devenus des héros

Il y a cent ans commun commune
Comme un espoir mis au charnier
Ils voyaient mourir la Commune
Ah! Laissez-moi chanter Potier
Il y a cent ans commun commune
Comme une étoile au firmament
Ils s'éteignaient pour la Commune
Écoute bien chanter Clément

Down Here On The Ground
((Adapted from: Main Title (Lalo Schifrin) - 1968))
Composer(s): Lalo Schifrin - Gale Garnett
Performer(s): Gogi Grant - 1968
and multiple other artists



Down here in the ground
It ain't no place for living
No, no, no
Down here on the ground
Watching the sparrows fly high
I watch the birds
As they make their wings
Flying solid free
How I wish it were me
But I'm down here on the ground
And I'm wanting something better
I'm down here on the ground
Wanting something more

One morning soon
I will find
Some wings on my mind
To take me high
So if you hear a sound
From down here on the ground
My friends
It's only me
Trying to fly
Trying to fly
I would love to fly
Because I'm tired of being
Down here on the ground
I'm tired of being
Down here on the ground

One morning soon
I will find
Some wings on my mind
To take me high
So if you hear a sound
From down here on the ground
My friends
It's only me
Trying to fly
Trying to fly
I would love to fly
Because I'm tired of being
Down here on the ground
I'm tired of being
Down here on the ground

La Colpa È Tua
Composer(s): Marchetti - Ciampi 
Performer(s): Dalida



E' partito
E sprito il mio cuore
Quanto tempo
E passato da quando
Volevamo quelle cose che ora
Non hanno più senso

Come vedi
Ora sono infelice
Quanto tempo
E passato da quando
Io tenevo a quelle cose che ora
Non voglio più avere

Ma la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua
Sempre passeggio triste
Il pomeriggio è troppo lungo
Mai viene sera
Ora io sono sola
Tornando a casa
Non trovo niente
Sono smarrita

E' la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua
Si la colpa è tua
Perchè potevi
Restare qui

Ora io sono sola
Tornando a casa
Non trovo niente
Sono smarrita
E' la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua, la colpa è tua
Si, la colpa è tua
Perchè potevi
Restare qui

Down From Dover
Composer(s): Dolly Parton
First release by: Dolly Parton - 1970
Covered by multiple other artists



I know this dress I'm wearing doesn't hide the secret I have tried concealing
When he left he promised me he'd be back by the time it was revealing
The sun behind a cloud just casts the crawling shadow o'er the fields of clover
And time is running out for me I wish that he would hurry down from Dover
He's been gone so long when he left the snow was deep upon the ground
And I have seen a spring and summer pass and now the leaves are turning brown
And any time a tiny face will show itself cause waiting's almost over
But I won't have a name to give it if he doesn't hurry down from Dover
From Dover, from Dover
My folks weren't understanding when they found out they sent me from the homeplace
My daddy said if folks found out he'd be ashamed to ever show his face
My mama said I was a fool and she did not believe it when I told her
Mama everything's gonna be alright cause soon he'll be coming down from Dover
I found a place to stay out on a farm taking care of that old lady
She never asked me nothing so I never talked to her about my baby
I sent a message to my mom with a name and address of Miss ol' Grover
And to make sure he got that information when he came down from Dover
I loved him more than anything and I could not refuse him when he needed me
He was the only one I'd loved and I just can't believe that he was using me
He wouldn't leave me here like this I know it can't be so it can't be over
He wouldn't make me go through this so long he'll be coming down from Dover
My body aches the time is here it's lonely in this place where I'm a lyin'
Our baby has been born but something's wrong it's too still I hear no cryin'
I guess in some strange way she knew she'd never have a father's arms to hold her
So dying was her way of telling me he wasn't coming down from Dover
From Dover, from Dover, down from Dover, from Dover

La Colombe
((Adapted from: La Colombe (by Jacques Brel) - 1959))
Composer(s): Jacques Brel
Performer(s): Judy Collins - 1966



Why all these bugles cry
These squads of young men drilled
To kill and to be killed
Stood waiting by the train

Why the orders loud and hoarse
Why the engine's groaning cough
As it strains to drag us all
Into the holocaust

Why crowds who sing and cry
And shout and fling us flowers
And trade their rights for ours
To murder and to die

The dove has torn her wings
So no more songs of love
We are not here to sing
We're here to kill the dove

Why must this moment come
When childhood has to die
When hope shrinks to a sigh
And speech into a drum

Why are they pale and still
Young boys trained over night
Concripts payed to kill
And dressed in gray to fight

These rainclouds massing tight
This train load battle bound
This moving burial ground
Goes thundering to the night

The dove has torn her wings
So no more songs of love
We are not here to sing
We're here to kill the dove

Why statues towering grave
Above the last defeat
Old words and lies repeat
Across a new made grave

And why the same still birds
That victory always brought
These hours of glory bought
By men with mounds of earth

Dead ash without a spark
Where cities used to be
Where guns probe every spark
And crush it into dust

The dove has torn her wings
So no more songs of love
We are not here to sing
We're here to kill the dove

And while your face undone
With jagged lines of tears
That gave in those first years
All the peace I'd ever want

Your body in the gloom
The platform fading back
Your shadow on the track
A flower upon a tomb

And why these days ahead
When I must let you cry
And live prepared to die
And to....

The dove has torn her wings
So no more songs of love
We are not here to sing
We're here to kill the dove