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.


Year:
1998
4:05
107 

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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 les 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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