Sous le ciel de Paris [English translation]

Under the Paris sky

Away does a song fly Hum, hum

It was born from today

In the heart of a guy

Under the Paris sky

Lovers quietly turn Hum, hum

Do their joys magnify

On this air made for them

The Bercy Bridge under

which sits a philosopher

Two musicians, some onlookers

Then people by clouds

Under the Paris sky

Hymn of a loving people hum, hum

Will be sung until night

For its city so old

Near Notre Dame

Sometimes there's a drama.

Yes, but in Panam1

All works out like a charm

Just some shy rays

From summer sky

A sailor guy's

Accordion

The hope displays

Under the Paris sky

Under The Paris sky

Flows a joyful river

That makes sleep at night

All tramps and wanderers

Under the Paris sky

The good Lord's little birds

Are landing from worldwide

To chat with each other

And the sky of Paris

Has his2 secret for him

For centuries his love has been

For our Île Saint Louis

When she smiles at him

Puts on him a coat of blue

But when it rains on Paris

That means he has the blues

When he is too jealous

Of her millions lovers hum, hum

He does rumble on us

His dazzling thunder

But the sky of Paris

Is not for long cruel hum, hum

To be well forgiven

Offers rainbow in rule

1. Panam is the nickname given by Parisians to their city2. I have deliberately used the personal pronouns "he" and "she" to speak of "the sky of Paris" and for "L'île Saint Louis" because in the song, they appear as full characters of the story that tells us this song, and not quite like simple places that one would name just to be geographically located. The song lends them feelings, as if they were real humans, much like how Walt Disney's animals were treated in his animated films.

• Artist:Édith Piaf