J'arrive [English translation]

From chrysanthemum to chrysanthemum,

our friendships are on their way out.

From chrysanthemum to chrysanthemum,

death puts1 our sweethearts to the gallows.

From chrysanthemum to chrysanthemum,

the other flowers do what they can.

From chrysanthemum to chrysanthemum,

men are crying, women are raining down.

I'm coming, I'm coming,

still I would have liked so much

to drag my weary bones once more

into sunlight, into summer,

until spring, until tomorrow.

I'm coming, I'm coming

still I would have liked so much

to see once more if the river

is still a river and the port

is still a port, and see me there once more.

I'm coming, I'm coming,

but why me, why now,

why was that about, and where to go?

I'm coming, of course, I'm coming,

did I ever do anything else?

From chrysanthemum to chrysanthemum,

each time more lonely.

From chrysanthemum to chrysanthemum,

each time supernumerary2

I'm coming, I'm coming,

still I would have liked so much

to catch a love once more

like you catch a train to stop being lonely,

to be some place else, to feel good.

I'm coming, I'm coming,

still I would have liked so much

fill onece more with stars

a body that trembles, and drop dead,

consumed by love, my heart in ashes.

I'm coming, I'm coming,

you're not even early,

I'm the one being late.

I'm coming, of course, I'm coming,

did I ever do anything else?

1. though "potence" means "gallows", there is no such verb as "potencer" (that would be "pendre" (hang) in standard French)2. the word is rather unusual in French too

• Artist:Juliette Gréco