Dans mes poches [English translation]

If you go digging deep inside like a pants archeologist

you'll find a host of nice things

amidst brioche crumbs

and my dangling keys.

There are a few coins in there when I'm stranded1

And when I get hooked by a tune2

I scribble crotchets and quavers

In my pockets, in my pockets, in my pockets.3

Inside the purse

the number of some Japanese guy,

an old movie ticket

no toddler picture yet

a white ticket for the métro4

A Velib' card for the bike.

I switch my telly off even more often

since I became a true Paris urchin5.

In my pockets, in my pockets, in my pockets.

It all depends of the denims of the day

but I always slip my hands in there,

especially when autumn turns ugly

and warms up6 the incoming winter.

I also put (there) my ideals,

my beliefs and my proudly raised finger7,

a (clenched) fist hard as rock

for (all) those that misfortune grabs8

by the pockets, by the pockets, by the pockets9

By way of a pickaxe-stick-moral10

I've got a nice one in store in my brainpan

Even if it means facing some criticism

I have to say there is something amiss

because I'm working on a bagful (of tunes)

and I'm writing on a Macintosh

while I have a pen nearby

that can even write properly sounding rhymes11.

In my pocket, in my pocket, in my pocket.

In my pocket, in my pocket, in my pocket.

In my pocket, in my pocket, in my pocket.

1. ??? I don't see the logical connexion, but as far as I know, "en rade" can only mean "stranded" or "stuck"2. that's a bit unusual, but makes for a nice rhyme3. the line is more like a rhytmic pattern with no direct connexion to the rest of the lyrics4. subway tickets in Paris are indeed white with a brown magnetic stripe in the middle5. Originally a fictional character from the famous "Les misérables" novel, the term has become loosely equivalent to "street urchin" and somewhat associated with a rebel attitude6. first time I hear about autumn warming up winter, but I can't think of a possible hidden meaning there7. Yep, that's rude. Requires pretty roomy pockets too8. that's similar to the 1st stanza "hooked by a tune"9. "pockets" can act as a metonymy for "money" (or the lack of it), so that means something like "for those who struggle for lack of money"10. "manche de pioche" can evoke the kind of improvised weapon used in a street brawl, but that sounds a bit out of place here11. well, the whole idea is to cram "oche" rhymes into the stanza. The French is amusing, but that's a bit hard to convey in a translation.

Sounds very Renaud-ish too. No wonder the guy was the old star's guest in his comeback concert

• Artist:Gauvain Sers