Bruxelles [English translation]

I had no gifts

To give you for Christmas,

I wanted to get you a nice one,

I thought of Brussels.

Giving a city, that's vain,

I know that, but I don't care,

Because it's even worse

To give nothing at all.

You would be happy

With a less flashy present,

A book or a CD,

A pair of earrings.

But I challenge you

To fit Saint-Josse or the Gare du Midi

Into a ring or a necklace

Without breaking them.

So Brussels, I will give it to you,

But we mustn't tell anyone,

It would threaten the Crown

And I gave my word,

Which is worth what it's worth.

The King had to get involved,

He argued in court:

"It's my capital, for God's sake!

And it's not a present!"

I replied: "My King, I ask you to stop,

Brussels is a jewel,

This is a time for partying,

It's an ideal gift."

He stuck to his refusal,

I found him stubborn,

And he said: "It's not yours,

And you can't give it away like that.

Brussels is for the people of Brussels."

"I get it", I said to the king,

"But they will know nothing of it,

It will be our secret, My Dear Sovereign"

"So Brussels, I will give it to you,

But we mustn't tell anyone,

It would threaten the Crown

And I gave my word,

Which is worth what it's worth."

"I, who am a commoner -

It's my only title of nobility,

I would like to negotiate,

Stay calm, your Highness."

The King, who is a gentleman,

Considered the issue,

"As it is for a lady,

I will make you a proposition.

Naturally," he told me,

"All of this is strictly between us,

But in exchange I want Paris,

Without which I have lost at life."

Without hesitation I responded,

"It's okay, that can be arranged,

Doing business with you, sir,

It's a pleasure."

"So Brussels, I will give it to you,

But we mustn't tell anyone,

It would threaten the Crown

And I gave my word,

Which is worth what it's worth.

Which is worth what it's worth...

"So Brussels, I will give it to you,

But we mustn't tell anyone,

It would threaten the Crown

And I gave my word."

• Artist:Bénabar
• Album:Reprise des négociations (2005)