Il suffirait de presque rien [English translation]

Just a mere nothing would suffice,

Just about ten years less, perhaps,

For me to say to you ´´ je t' aime ´´.

For me to take you by your hand

To lead you there to St Germain

To buy you one more ´´ café crème ´´...

But, darling, why put on an act ?

Little girl, come on, look at me.

And see those wrinkles severing us...

Why should I play the comedy

Of the old lover turned younger ?

Yourself wouldn't trust that, in fact.

Frankly, what would we two be like?

I can already hear the gibe :

"She's a beauty, how can he still appeal to her ?

She, in springtime, he in winter ?"

Just a mere nothing would suffice,

Yet, no one, as you know, I guess,

Ever becomes younger again

Don't be stupid and comprehend,

Were I , like you, in my twenties,

I'd cover you with promises...

Oh no, don't tell me, here's your smile

That seems to plunge and to capsize,

And I don't want you to be sad.

Imagine your life, tomorrow,

Spent next to a clown in a show,

Having on the ring his last ride...

Frankly, what would we two be like?

I can already hear the gibe :

"She' s a beauty, how can he still appeal to her.

She, in springtime, he in winter ?"

Tomorrow, it's a different man

Who' ll take you there to St Germain,

To buy you the first ´´ café crème ´´.

A mere nothing would have sufficed

Just about ten years less, perhaps,

For me to say to you : "Je t'aime ".....

• Artist:Serge Reggiani