Qui suis-je ? [English translation]

I was born in a tree

And the tree was cut down

In sulphur and asphalt

I have to take a breath

My roots dive down into the pavement

In search of moist earth

Who am I

What can I do

In this world full of strife

Who am I

Where to go

In this world in turmoil?

I was sent to school

and there understood everything

Dust whirling up

to the glittering star

And when I thought things over

I was told: "The world has changed!"

Who changes

Rearranges

In this jumbled world?

Who changes

Rearranges

In this world in turmoil?

I was told: "Go to battle!"

I was shouted at: "Get on!"

I was given a grenade

A gun was thrown at me

Once after a lot of battling

I was told: "Light up!" (?)

Who dies

Who dreams

In a world without a truce?

Who dies

Who dreams

In this world in turmoil?

I’ve taken the right road

The forbidden road

The twisted road

In this distorted world

And going right on, tight on, right on

I found myself behind me!

Who goes astray

Who hopes

In this mysterious world?

Who goes astray

Who hopes

In this world in turmoil?

I was told: “The family.

The dollars, the cars.”

I was told: “The sickle”,

I was told: “The hammer.”

I was told, I was told, I was told

And then it was refuted!

Who is thinking

Who is dancing

In this excitement?

Who is thinking

Who is dancing

In this world in turmoil?

My loves were good

Before the doctors

Told me that two hormones

Direct our hearts

Now, when in love I am content

That it is all I feel!

Who loves

Who bleeds

In this world without a topic

Who loves

Who bleeds

In this world in turmoil?

And yet I fling myself

and love and battle

For words, for creatures,

For that man who suits me

Deep inside me I believe, I believe

I am not sure about anything!

Who am I

What can I do

In this world full of strife?

Who am I

What can I do

In this world in turmoil?

• Artist:Guy Béart