Monsieur [English translation]

Passer-bys tip their hats

as he walks by.

Dogs lick his hands,

he is the reassuring type.

See how this child bawls

as he comes to the rescue.

See how he helps the blind

crossing the street.

In his peaceful garden

he tends to roses.

The master becomes a murderer

when he feels gloomy.

He goes strangling fellow men

in the Meudon wood

when he feels disconsolate

or simply blue.

The neighbours find him likeable,

yet right under their noses

the master is a murderer

and I am his butler.

And I file my case

under a dog rose bush.

I dabble in gardening

and can cook as well.

He goes strangling fellow men

when he feels blue.

Off you go! Into the pond

under the water lilies.

Then I tidy up a bit

the crime scene

where he never returns,

not even for show.

Inconspicuously,

in the early hours

we drive back home.

I am his driver.

Though he looks harmless,

the master is a lunatic.

The master is a murderer,

it's a chronic affliction.

He goes strangling fellow men

when midnight chimes,

while I push the dolly1

in the Boulogne woods.

Our customer will end up

in a trunk, hat included

and take a train to Venice

for a well-deserved rest.

He goes strangling fellow men

in the Meudon wood

when he feels disconsolate

or simply blue.

The neighbours find him likeable,

yet right under their noses

the master is a murderer

and I am his butler.

You're about to hang the master,

I'm about to lose my job.

You're about to hang the master,

Alas! How very unfortunate!

This was only to be expected,

and I beseech Your Honour2

to consider my application

as a butler.

I would file this case

under a dog rose bush.

I dabble in gardening

and can cook as well.

1. lit. "the devil". That's a common name for a dolly, but it sounds rather funny here2. actually a judge is called "M. le juge" or "M. le président" in France. I blame poorly dubbed US series...

• Artist:Thomas Fersen
• Album:Qu4tre