Barbara [English translation]

Remember, Barbara,

it rained ceaaselessly on Brest that day

and you walked, smiling,

flowing, delighted, blossoming

in the rain.

Remember, Barbara,

it rained incessantly on Brest that day

and we saw each other in Siam Street,

you were smiling,

and likewise I was smiling.

Remember, Barbara,

you whom I didn't know,

you who didn't know me,

remember,

anyway remember that day,

don't forget.

A man was sheltering in a doorway

and he called your name,

Barbara,

and you ran towards him,in the rain,

blossoming, delighted, flowing

and threw yourself into his arms.

Remember that, Barbara,

and don't resent me calling you "tu",

I say "tu" to everyone I like

even if I've only seen them once.

I say "tu" to eveyone who is in love,

even if I'don't know them at all.

Remember, Barbara,

don't forget

that wise and happy rain

on your happy face

on that happy town,

that rain on the sea,

on the naval dockyard,

on the Ushant boat.

Oh Barbara,

what idiocy war is,

what have you become now

under this rain of iron,

of fire of steel or blood,

and he who held you in his arms

lovingly

is he dead, missing, or perhaps still alive?

Oh Barbara,

it's raining incessantly on Brest

just as it was raining before,

but it's not the same any more and all is ruined,

it's a rain of dreadful and desolate grief,

it isn't any more even the storm

of iron of steel of blood

but nothing more than clouds

which pass away like dogs,

dogs which disappear

in the current over Brest

and go to decompose far away,

far away from Brest

of which nothing is left.

• Artist:Yves Montand