Paris Canaille [English translation]

Paris a pimp

in the eyes of a girl

your trickster air

your old rags

and your cries

an accordion

that doesn't pay the bills

but it's mighty fine

Your gigolos

undress you

in the subway station

of Bastille

to get drunk

on your petticoat

makes one want to scream

but it's mighty fine

Lilac sprigs

paper flowers1

that's loads

of little street girls

that work wonders

in every season

taking us for a ride

and it's mighty fine

Dédée the cross

Bébert of Antwerp 2

it's been months

they've been doing fine

well these ladies

are coming to terms

with becoming bigamous

and it's mighty fine

Paris a bandit

with nimble hands

you got no friends

with the police

under your blouse

of neon

you're no sage

but it's mighty fine

Holdup experts

for the record

pull ups

for tactics

the slightest

sound

puts your change away

otherwise it's fine

There there one

there there two

toss me three fivers

and I'll see you with a kinder eye

Up to the minute

breaking news

you're in hot water

but it's mighty fine

there there latest

there there nothing

you're a gangster

after peanuts

you must be skillful

to hit the mark

the next time

perhaps you'll do fine

Paris you sing

with a gray voice

along the streets

"I'm drunk"

There's no hope

in your rags

only the sidewalk

but it's mighty fine

Your vagabonds

are making scenes at you

but under your bridges

the Seine is flowing

when it comes to romance

there are crowds

fools for your magic

but it's mighty fine

Misled kids

in the suburbs

a paved prairie

where love grows

it grows even

at home

they were wrong

but it's mighty fine

Lost expressions

in the gutter

where the street goes

like a boat

that's rocking a bit

during steering

it's laborious

but it's mighty fine

Paris I've deep

in my heart of stone

an open account

of good manners

hats-off

on occasion

whatever it takes

but it's mighty fine

The companies

too unlimited

a member of parliament

who is esteemed

a small model

in the making

it isn't about the hand-kissing

but it's mighty fine

Here comes the money

look here how flashy

a blow of cheapness

and gentleman

a checkbook

without cover

he has to make do

but it's mighty fine

A small suburb

Saint Honoré

three cookies

and I'm gone

surprise party

surprise we stay

it's surprising

but it's mighty fine

Fanfarish Paris

you've a partying soul

and millions

as your poets

Some pennies

for my song

that rhymes

and is mighty fine

1. Origami flowers named after a Parisian suburb2. Dédée d'Anvers is a 1948 drama about a prostitute in Antwerp directed by Yves Allégret

• Artist:Léo Ferré