Thirty-Five Years Ago

Dang, that is a long time, and still, my French is far from perfect, and I do not write it at all.

Thankfully, the language of love is perfect in its imperfection.

Last night while we were having dinner at home, a song came on the radio. It was a French song, one I had heard before but never paid attention to the words. French Husband, between mouthfuls of potatoes and Brussels sprouts, says, "Oh, you know this song? When it came out, I was probably six, seven or eight years old, and I loved it," a smile familiar to childhood came across his face, "You know, probably because of this song I met you." I stopped chewing my avocado orange peel salad and tried to catch the words of the happy tune going by, "What? Why?"

The song is about a young man who wants to leave everything, "throw away the keys" because since he was born, America calls him:

"Mes amis, je dois m'en aller
Je n'ai plus qu'à jeter mes clés
Car elle m'attend depuis que je suis né
L’Amérique..."

 

 

1988

 

"That song was on my lips, "L'Amérique..."

French Husband started singing with it, which helped me understand the words, and made my heart melt:

"... J'abandonne sur mon chemin
Tant de choses que j'aimais bien
Cela commence par un peu de chagrin
L’Amérique

L'Amérique, l'Amérique, je veux l'avoir et je l'aurai
L'Amérique, l'Amérique, si c'est un rêve, je le saurai
Tous les sifflets des trains, toutes les sirènes des bateaux
M'ont chanté cent fois la chanson de l'Eldorado
De l'Amérique

Mes amis, je vous dis adieu

Je devrais vous pleurer un peu
Pardonnez-moi si je n'ai dans mes yeux
Que l'Amérique

Je reviendrai je ne sais pas quand
Cousu d'or et brodé d'argent
Ou sans un sou, mais plus riche qu'avant
De l'Amérique

mais l'Amérique, l'Amérique, je veux l'avoir et je l'aurai
L'Amérique, l'Amérique, si c'est un rêve, je le saurai
Tous les sifflets des trains, toutes les sirènes des bateaux
M'ont chanté cent fois la chanson de l'Eldorado
De l'Amérique

L'Amérique, l'Amérique, si c'est un rêve, je rêverai
L'Amérique, l'Amérique, si c'est un rêve, je veux rêver."

Joe Dassin

(Click on the above to hear the song)

 

 

2015 photo via Alice

 

Now, if you translate the song word by word, not necessarily how it should be done, there is a verse that would say:

"Because she has been waiting for me since I was born... (North America)."

And that was a sweet Anniversary eve gift to receive.

 

Today marks 35 years. 

 

 

Comments

[Jeanne]

Happy Anniversary and such a beautiful posting and songs melt our hearts don't they ?
Much love
Jeanne

[Anna]

Happy Anniversary, Corey and Yann, you dear LoveBirds, you!! Think of all the magic you’ve packed into 35 years! Wishing you many more happy years together and may you continue to be drenched in blessings!

[TracyH]

Awww… I love it!! Happy anniversary you two 💞

[BeckyFar]

Happy Anniversary Corey and Yann!
Here's to 35+ more years filled with moments of unexpected "sweet gifts" and bliss!

[g]

OH MY HOW WONDERFUL ...TO LOVE... TO YOU BOTH.... TO MARRIAGE... TO HEALTH... TO JOY... TO MEMORIES... TO 35 PLUS 35 PLUS 35 MORE...LONG LIVE LOVE!!!!

[Martina]

Happy Anniversary Yann and Corey. Wishing you a gazillion more happy years together.

[Diogenes]

Happy Anniversary kids! And many more. Celebrate and live it up!

[Diogenes]

So interesting to read the bio of the singer, Joe Dassin. He is American, apparently, but his family moved to France, when his father was placed on the notorious Hollywood blacklist in the 1950s.

[marilyn]

Happy Anniversary! Continue the celebration and delight.

[RebeccaNYC]

this is the sweetest thing EVER Happy Anniversary!!

[Kathie B]

Parabéns!

[Jennifer Phillipps]

Congratulations you loved up delights....well done on 35 years...you don't look old enough for that many years to have passed....lovely to know you from a distance....Jennie, NZ

[Sue J.]

A lovely post, Corey. Happy Anniversary.

[TexasFrancophile]

Happy Anniversary you two 🥂
HOpe you are feeling Better

[Darles]

Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful post 💜

[Jennie SF]

I think of you often when I am in the Castro for a hair cut, to buy my tea at Spike’s, browse Cliff’s Variety store. I have forgotten which bar where you and Yann met. It may or may not still be there.

[Elizabeth Schaeffer]

What a gift you are to each other. Savor every moment. Happy Anniversary

[Eileen]

Congratulations to the two of you! Sweet story about this song. My husband and I celebrated our 50th anniversary last August. Here's to 35 and 50 more!

[Lorna]

Happy Anniversary Corey & Yann !! Here's to another 35 years! Hugs Lv Lorna

[Marilyn Marcus]

Well thank the heavens that he loved that song!
Happiest of Anniversaries.

[Christine Allen]

Such beautiful love, thank you for sharing !