Hénin-Beaumont [English translation]

I've been living here for 30 years

Like my parents and my parents' parents,

Those who, yesteryear, took from the mine

Some coal in their sweat.

I come from the north of the Hexagon*,

It's sunday, 8pm.

It's my land since I'm a child

But now I'm ashamed to be a postman here.

And yet it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate in its votes,

I'm moving houses

However, it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate in its votes,

I'm moving

I'm moving

Under this land of slaughter,

I think about my grandfather :

He's probably turning in his grave,

Given that he cannot move houses.

I prefer him to stay in the dark,

Like his nails were in the mine,

And I'm not sure he would like to see Marine's last name**

And yet it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate in its neighbourhood,

I'm moving houses

However, it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate in its neighbourhood,

I'm moving

I'm moving

I'm nothing but a measly postman

Who goes to the marketplace on tuesdays

And who is pretty observant :

When I blink I photograph.

And even though I greet you with my eyes

While handing your letters, your bills,

I know that there's a half a chance you voted for a swine.***

And yet it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate in its faces,

I'm moving houses

However, it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate in its faces,

I'm moving

I'm moving

I've lived here for 30 years

And I didn't think it was possible.

As if the 20% unemployment

Made the idiocy transmissble.

The baker, the workers

And even the immigrants too :

As if shooting yourself in the foot made you run faster

Of course !

And yet it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

But, given the hate isn't caged anymore

I'm moving houses

However, it had a beautiful name,

My city of Hénin-Beaumont.

Like everything that's gross

So I'm out of here

And I'll take my convictions back

At the next elections,

For the mayor's front to clear off

And move.

• Artist:Gauvain Sers