Je m'voyais déjà [English translation]

At 18 years old, I left my village

Determined to take a hold of my life

With a light heart and a tiny luggage

I was certain to conquer Paris

At the finest tailor, I had made

This blue suit which was the latest fashion

Photographs, songs, and orchestrations

Ate up all my savings

I could already see myself at the top of the bill

Ten time larger than any other one's, my name was spread

I could already see myself adored and rich

Signing my photograhs to jostling fans

I was the greatest of the great dreamers

So successful that people rose to applaud me

I could already see myself looking in my list

For the one who at night would have the favour to hold my arm

My features have aged of course under my makeup

But my voice is strong, my gesture's precise I have resilience

My heart embittered a bit with old age

But I have ideas, I know my job and I still believe in it

Just to feel the stage beneath my feet

To see in front of me an expecting audience, my heart beats fast

No one helped me, I didn't have much luck

But deep in my heart, at least I'm sure that I have talent

My blue suit, I've been wearing it for thirty years

And only me laugh at my songs

I'm chasing after fees, I go from door-to-door

To survive, I'm making anything

I only met easy successes

Night trains and soldier girls

Cheap fees and luggage to carry

Tiny furnished flats and light meals

I could already see myself in photograh

In the arms of a star, in winter in the snow, in summer under the sun

I could already see myself teling my life's tale

With a disillusioned look to beginners yearning for some tips

I opened peacefully at evening of premieres

One thousand of telegrams from this Greater Paris which scares us so hard

And dying of stage fright before this audience

Coming in the stage swarmed by the cheers and lights

I tried everything to stand out

I sung love songs, I sung funny things and even fantasy

If my career failed, if I didn't get out of the shadows

It's not my fault, but that of the audience who didn't understand anything

No one never ever ever gave my any chance

Others have succeeded with mediocre voices and a lot of money

I was too pure or before my time

But the day will come when I will show them that I have talent

• Artist:Charles Aznavour