Les Trois Cloches [English translation]

Village in the heart of the valley,

As if lost, quite ignored,

And there in the starlighted night,

To us a newborn is given!

Jean-François Nicot is he named,

He is chubby-cheek, tender and pinkish,

In church, handsome little man,

Tomorrow you'll be baptized...

A bell is ringing, ringing

Her voice from echo to echo

Tells to the world that wonder:

"It's for Jean-François Nicot!

To welcome a soul

A flower that comes out to the daylight

Barely, barely a flame

Still weak and requiring

Protection, tenderness, love..."

Village in the heart of the valley,

Far from all paths, far from human beings,

And there after nineteen years,

Heart in a flutter, the Jean-François

Takes for wife sweet Élise

White as apple tree blossom!

Before God, in the old church,

This day they get married...

All the bells are ringing, ringing

Their voices from echo to echo

Marvellously crown

François Nicot's wedding!

"Only one heart, only one soul"

Says the priest, "and for ever

Be a pure flame

Rising and proclaiming

The greatness of your love!"

Village in the heart of the valley,

Many days, many nights, time flew by,

And there in the starlighted night,

A heart falls asleep, François is dead...

Every flesh is like the grass

It is like a wild flower

Ears, ripe fruits, bunches and sheaves,

Alas, everything goes withering...

A bell is tolling, tolling,

She's singing in the wind,

Haunting and monotonous,

She repeats to the livings:

"Do not shiver loyal hearts

God will beckon to you one day!

You shall find under His wing

Together with eternal life -

The eternity of love..."

• Artist:Édith Piaf