Elaeudanla Teïtéïa [English translation]

On my portable Remington 1

I wrote your name Lætitia

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a 2

Lætitia the days that follow 3

Alas are never the same

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a

It's my pain I cultivate

In typing those eight letters 4

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a

It's a rather sickly flower

I touch it with my fingertips

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a

If I must drift away

I'd rather do it for you

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a

My mind finally

Loses itself in those eight letters

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a

On my portable Remington

I wrote your name Lætitia

L, a, e in the a, t, i, t, i, a

1. Remington typewriter 2. He spells out the name Lætitia here. Note the French pronunciation of the alphabet and that "e dans l'a" (e in the a) is how the French describe the letter "æ"3. A play on the expression "Les jours se suivent et ne se ressemblent pas" which means that every day is different to the one before. Here though he adds "alas" suggesting the change is unwelcome. 4. Although Lætitia may be considered to have 7 letters, on a manual typewriter it would involve 8 key strikes

• Artist:Serge Gainsbourg