Les Caraïbes [English translation]

I would like to be

Facing myself

And then tell myself

Come on, let's go

Into a water more clear

Than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

Open your eyes

Look at me

Before you grow old

Come find me

In the waters more clear

than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

Alone in the middle of the Atlantic

Between the currents and the winds

A lone sailor

Is the least alone man on earth

In the storm I tell myself

That I would never be here

If I hadn't given my name

To a beer, to a soap

Photographers, radio reporters

They come, they come

I am the winner

But in the crowd who acclaim me

I really want to be elsewhere, elsewhere, elsewhere...

I would like to be

Facing myself

and then tell myself

Come on, let's go

Into the water more clear

Than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

Open your eyes

Look at me

Before you grow old

Come find me

In the water more clear

Than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

You know me, I am

The President of this country

And when I see myself at the top

I admit that I congratulate myself

I wanted to do so many things

I would've wanted to change things

But I find myself buried

Under a mountain of concerns

Photographers, radio reporters

I would tell you the calming words

Which stop the people from being afraid

But the moment when I talk to you

I want to be elsewhere, elsewhere, elsewhere...

I would like to be

Facing myself

And then tell myself

Come on, let's go

Into the water more clear

Than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

And do I have to die

Standing on my piano which sinks

Like the captain of a ship

Applauded by all the crowd?

Me who has given concerts

Described as extraordinary

I'm too old to play well

My hands and I, this we know

Photographers, reporters

What do you say of that evening?

Hello Madam Legion of Honour

You have played marvellously

Elsewhere... elsewhere... elsewhere

I would like to be

Facing myself

And then tell myself

Come on, let's go

Into the water more clear

Than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

To let it sink

I feel good

And in my going

Casually

Into the water more clear

Than the waters of the Caribbean

Just like that

• Artist:Gilbert Bécaud