Vies monotones [English translation]

We live plain lives,

Our hearts as empty as our hands.

Since we gave up talking to anyone,

Nobody tells us anything anymore.

We live plain lives

Empty and closed houses,

Heavy security doors

That nobody will ever open anymore.

But since life has to go on,

Sitting yet again with the same guest

This is not the expected feast

Neither fancy glass nor wine nor sherbet

Nothing left but greed to yield to (1)

Then go on on our own.

We live plain lives,

Our hearts as empty as our hands

Since we expect nothing from anyone,

We fall short of any answers.

We live plain lives,

Surrounded by men and dogs,

And the ones who trust us the most

Are yet the ones we leave behind.

But since life has to go on,

This evening with the same guest

This is not the expected feast

Where are the shining lights gone?

Nothing left but greed to yield to

Then go on on our own.

We live unsubtle, lonely lives (2)

Which will drift asunder,

Straight and stiff as planks

On the ocean of poverty.

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(1) "tirer la nappe à soi" means literally "to pull the tablecloth to oneself". Nothing to do with the party trick:). The idea is to help oneself to whatever common goods without concern for others.

(2) "sans mélange" appears usually in expressions like "joie sans mélange" (unadulterated happiness).

In this context it means literally "without mixing [with others]" and, figuratively, "straightforward, unsubtle"

• Artist:Gérard Manset