Les Vieux

Jacques Brel

About Les Vieux

Les Vieux (The Old Folks) is a 1963 song written and performed by Jacques Brel. It appeared on the album Les Bonbons and was co-composed with Brel's frequent collaborative musicians Gérard Jouannest and Jean Corti.


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Les vieux ne parlent plus 
Ou alors seulement 
Parfois du bout des yeux
Même riches ils sont pauvres
Ils n'ont plus d'illusions
Et n'ont qu'un cœur pour deux
Chez eux, ça sent le thym 
Le propre, la lavande
Et le verbe d'antan
Que l'on vive à Paris
On vit tous en province 
Quand on vit trop longtemps

Est-ce d'avoir trop ri 
Que leur voix se lézarde 
Quand ils parlent d'hier?
Et d'avoir trop pleuré 
Que des larmes encore 
Leur perlent aux paupières?
Et s'ils tremblent un peu 
Est-ce de voir vieillir 
La pendule d'argent
Qui ronronne au salon
Qui dit oui, qui dit non
Qui dit "je vous attends"

Les vieux ne rêvent plus
Leurs livres s'ensommeillent
Leurs pianos sont fermés
Le petit chat est mort
Le muscat du dimanche 
Ne les fait plus chanter
Les vieux ne bougent plus 
Leurs gestes ont trop de rides
Leur monde est trop petit
Du lit à la fenêtre
Puis du lit au fauteuil
Et puis du lit au lit

Et s'ils sortent encore 
Bras dessus, bras dessous
Tout habillés de raide
C'est pour suivre au soleil 
L'enterrement d'un plus vieux
L'enterrement d'une plus laide
Et le temps d'un sanglot 
Oublier toute une heure 
La pendule d'argent
Qui ronronne au salon
Qui dit oui, qui dit non
Et puis qui les attend

Les vieux ne meurent pas
Ils s'endorment un jour 
Et dorment trop longtemps
Ils se tiennent la main
Ils ont peur de se perdre
Et se perdent pourtant
Et l'autre reste là 
Le meilleur ou le pire
Le doux ou le sévère
Cela n'importe pas
Celui des deux qui reste 
Se retrouve en enfer
Vous le verrez peut-être
Vous le verrez parfois 
En pluie et en chagrin
Traverser le présent
En s'excusant déjà 
De n'être pas plus loin

Et fuir devant vous 
Une dernière fois 
La pendule d'argent
Qui ronronne au salon, 
Qui dit oui, qui dit non, 
Qui leur dit "je t'attends"
Qui ronronne au salon, 
Qui dit oui, qui dit non
Et puis qui nous attend

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Jacques Brel

Jacques Brel (French pronunciation: ​[ʒak bʁɛl]; 8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following in France initially, and later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French, he became a major influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers such as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Marc Almond and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many top performers in the United States, including Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, the Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, and Andy Williams. In French-speaking coun… more »

3 fans

Written by: Gerard Jouannest, Jacques Roman Brel, Jean Corti

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Historical Background
"Les Vieux" is a song by Jacques Brel, a renowned Belgian singer-songwriter and actor, known for his influential French-language songs.
Brel's Legacy
This song was part of Jacques Brel's repertoire that left a significant impact on French pop music. Brel is highly regarded for his lyricism and ability to evoke emotion in his music.
Album Details
"Les Vieux" is part of Brel's eighth studio album, 'Ces Gens-Là', which was released in 1966.
Song Theme
The song explores themes of old age, loneliness, and abandonment. Brel's lyrics describe the intricate details of an elderly couple's melancholy and dull life.
Unique Storytelling
Jacques Brel integrated a narrative style into his songs, which is quite evident in "Les Vieux." He often used his music to tell stories, set scenes, and depict characters, augmenting the emotional depth of his songs.
Language and Appeal
Despite being in French, "Les Vieux," like most of Brel's songs, has reached a global audience due to its universal themes and the emotional intensity conveyed through Brel's passionate performance.
Significance
"Les Vieux" remains a significant part of Jacques Brel's musical legacy due to its poignant depiction of the struggles of aging. Furthermore, this song has contributed to shaping Brel's image as a socially-conscious artist who did not shy away from addressing tough topics in his lyrics.
Musical Arrangement
The song features Brel's signature ballad style incorporating piano and strings, adding to the melancholy of the lyrics.
Influence
Jacques Brel's distinctive storytelling approach in songs like "Les Vieux" had a substantial impact on later generations of singer-songwriters in Francophone music and beyond.
Cover Versions
Over the years, "Les Vieux" has been covered by different artists, signifying its enduring popularity and impact.

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