Monday 11 March 2013

Voices

Avec le temps...
Avec le temps, va, tout s´en va
On oublie les passions et l´on oublie les voix
Qui vous disaient tout bas les mots des pauvres gens
Ne rentre pas trop tard, surtout ne prends pas froid


 

This is an extract of the beautiful, poignant song by Léo Ferré 'Avec le temps', which I think is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. I don't however agree with him when he says that time erases everything, including the voices of the people we loved. There are voices I still hear to this day and I know I'll never forget. They ring so clear sometimes it's as if the people they belonged to are right next to me, and I am transported back to a certain place or moment in time. I can still hear my mother call in the stairs to say tea was ready, or tell my sisters and I we should smile more because 'you don't catch flies with vinegar' (the flies being husbands, of course!). I also hear her laugh, her wonderful, infectious laugh. 

No, I don't think voices die.

I had some very sad news tonight. A dear friend has gone, someone I did not see very often but I had known since childhood. I will hear his voice for a long, long time to come.

Here is 'Avec le temps' sung by Dalida


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaSS2fA4b68

7 comments:

  1. Ah Marie, my father is thirty six years dead this week. I still hear his voice in my mind sometimes.

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  2. Thank you for visiting Maria, and for your comment. We never forget the people we loved, even if they left us a long time ago.

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  3. Thank you for sharing the video, Marie. It certainly is poignant but beautiful. Do you think the translation to English accompanying the video is correct? I would like to know your take on it. Good luck with your books, I follow when I can.

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  4. Thank ou so much Mary for visiting. I must say I cannot listen to this song without crying, but the older I get, the more I cry! I will take a look at the translation and let you know what I think but I often find that translations of poems and songs don't do them justice. Thank you again for your comment.

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  5. Beautiful, poignant thoughts, Marie, and the music was so moving, even without translation. I just lost a very dear friend whose voice - he was a wonderful singer - will never be lost to me. Also, I want to thank you for your lovely comment on the posting on Unusual Historicals featuring my novel.

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  6. You are welcome, Diana. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit the blog, leave a comment and become a follower! How did you become interested in Italy and Italian history? Can you speak Italian?

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  7. Sorry I had to remove this comment, which, despite being nice, was linked to an unsuitable website. You are very welcome to comment again, but please edit the photo and do not link to the website! Thanks.

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