Le chat de la voisine [English translation]

The neighbour's cat

Which enjoys good cooking

And purrs contentedly

On a luxurious eiderdown pillow

The neighbour's cat

Which stuffs its face

With chicken, with foie gras

And does not run after rats

Meow, meow

The cat's singing is just so touching

Purr, purr

Long live the cat, long live the cat

I will not depict the man and his agony

[Nor] the stumbling toddler who freezes in his nest

I will not speak of the soldier who is fearful

Of exchanging a leg for a Cross of Honour

[Nor] of the abandoned old man in hunger's dump

I'll not speak of that, this short tune would be better:

The neighbour's cat

Which enjoys good cooking

And purrs contentedly

On a luxurious eiderdown pillow

The neighbour's cat

Which stuffs its face

With chicken, with foie gras

And does not run after rats

Meow, meow

The cat's singing is just so touching

Purr, purr

Long live the cat, long live the cat

I'll not spoil lunch*

By praising the burning sweat of the brow**

I will not speak of the labourer who mourns

the loss of his fingers which died in the workfield

[Nor] of the young girl who wiltered before having loved

I'll not speak of that, it would be better to glorify:

The neighbour's cat

Which enjoys good cooking

And purrs contentedly

On a luxurious eiderdown pillow

The neighbour's cat

Which stuffs its face

With chicken, with foie gras

And does not run after rats

Meow, meow

The cat's singing is just so touching

Purr, purr

Long live the cat, long live the cat

Long live the cat, long live the cat

Long live the cat, long live the cat...

• Artist:Yves Montand