Rester libre [English translation]

As long as I can hold fast

As long as blood keeps flowing in my body

I'll go and check behind the scene,

I'll keep wondering forever more

as long as I'll be able to tell about it

as long as there will be sails awaiting me in harbours

I'll go and steal my dreams from the sea

to drive the scum out of my heart1

(I'll do) anything to stay free

to leave before

habit steals all my time;

to stay free

to pick my side

and stare at the sun straight ahead

like a child's gamble.

I could set off to war

against these eyes that stare without seeing,

against these ours of misery

spent sitting on a sidewalk.

I could also keep quiet

as words speak louder than the wind,

while there is so much to do

even if nobody is awaiting me.

(I'll do) anything to stay free

to leave before

habit steals all my time;

to stay free

to pick my side

to choose the paths I tread.

(I'll do) anything to stay free

to leave before

habit steals all my time;

to stay free

to pick my side

and jump into2 every moment

as the sun goes down

(I'll do) anything to stay free

to leave before...

Yeah, stay(ing) free

to pick my side

Oh! Staying free,

to stay free3

and choose the paths I tread.

Staying free, staying free.

1. that's Johnny's peculiar poetry at its best :D2. something like "take part uninvited", "barge in", but for some reason I think that would sound plain silly in English3. sounds like "staying free in order to stay free" or maybe "staying free for freedom's sake". Anyway...

• Artist:Johnny Hallyday