Télégramme [English translation]

This is a telegram for Marie Bélage,

In the courtyard, staircase B, fifth floor

Third door on the left, two steps down

Knock hard so she can hear you.

The little postman climbs four to four.

An old lady comes to open.

In a harsh and shrewish voice,

She says, "thank you" and then withdraws.

She shakingly opens the telegram.

In general, we don't like that.

She reads aloud, throat dry,

Then she reads ten times in a whisper.

"Serai Orly - eight o'clock - May second -

Am impatient - am crazy with joy -

I love you more than ever -

Love - kisses - signed - François..."

She returns twenty years back

As they loved each other twenty years ago,

But their parents, alas, refused it.

He did not have a penny.

"I'll come back making a fortune,"

He told her. "I will wait for you.

I want you to also promise me

That you will never forget me."

He left - months, years pass.

She is all alone in front of life.

Beauty, freshness, youth...everything disappears

And more money, so more friends...

Travelers are arriving from Mexico,

Ah, there he is! How tall he is!

His gray temples give him a poetic air.

He is more handsome than he was twenty years ago

She is pale and her hands are burning.

As her poor heart beats fiercely.

He comes towards her, he shakes her.

"I beg your pardon! Tell me, bearer!

I am looking for a very beautiful and elegant lady.

With big blue eyes, blond hair,

Rather small...Wait! I think that's her...

Ah! No, that's not her...

I beg your pardon!"

You would not have seen a blonde lady -

Elegant - very beautiful -

You would not have seen a blonde lady -

Elegant - very beautiful -

You would not have seen...

• Artist:Édith Piaf