Ding, din, dong [English translation]

When he was born, his mother and father

Had not been in love for a long time.

That means he arrived on this earth

A little like a lost child.

When you're a kid, it sickens you

To never laugh with all your heart1

So, when he was still very young, he hit the road (left home)

And ran away looking for happiness.

Ding Din Dong, let's sing his sad song.

Ding Din Dong, so let's sing it.

He looked (for happiness) in loneliness.

He also looked in noisy places.

He was so used to looking,

That when he did find it (happiness), he fled.

Then he fell in love, she was blonde.

She loved him a lot, but, well, look:

She gave herself away to everyone.

He beat her up then left her.

Ding Din Dong, let's sing his sad song.

Ding Din Dong, so let's sing it.

He said to himself: "Blondes are fickle,

But black-haired girls are more serious."

He took up with a brunette, promised to marry her,

Thinking this time he would be happy.

After five, six weeks,

She got bored at home.

"Really," he said, "I'm unlucky.

But she doesn't have blonde hair."

Ding Din Dong, let's sing his sad song.

Ding Din Dong, so let's sing it.

He didn't know that women

Don't like the happiness of everyday life

And the poor boy tormented his own soul:

"But I love her... my God... Ah I love her so much."

And, bitten by jealousy,

He could do nothing but lament his fate.

"Somebody is going to take her from me, she is pretty."

So at first he wanted to kill her.

Ding Din Dong, let's sing his sad song.

Ding Din Dong, so let's sing it.

But she was truly faithful.

He loved her so much he would rather

Blow his brains out.

That's how he died and so there you are.

If this story makes you laugh,

Then you haven't understood any of it.

He was looking for happiness, and worst of all,

He ended up dead, what a shame...2

Ding Din Dong, his sad song is done...

Ding Din Dong, and Ding and Dong...

1. The French word "coeur" is misspelled "cur" in the lyrics.2. more's the pity, so sad, worse still . . . I'm sure we could come up with a few more if we really tried

• Artist:Édith Piaf