If you go digging deep inside like a pants archeologist
you'll find a host of nice things
amidst brioche crumbs
and my dangling keys.
There are a few coins in there when I'm stranded1
And when I get hooked by a tune2
I scribble crotchets and quavers
In my pockets, in my pockets, in my pockets.3
Inside the purse
the number of some Japanese guy,
an old movie ticket
no toddler picture yet
a white ticket for the métro4
A Velib' card for the bike.
I switch my telly off even more often
since I became a true Paris urchin5.
In my pockets, in my pockets, in my pockets.
It all depends of the denims of the day
but I always slip my hands in there,
especially when autumn turns ugly
and warms up6 the incoming winter.
I also put (there) my ideals,
my beliefs and my proudly raised finger7,
a (clenched) fist hard as rock
for (all) those that misfortune grabs8
by the pockets, by the pockets, by the pockets9
By way of a pickaxe-stick-moral10
I've got a nice one in store in my brainpan
Even if it means facing some criticism
I have to say there is something amiss
because I'm working on a bagful (of tunes)
and I'm writing on a Macintosh
while I have a pen nearby
that can even write properly sounding rhymes11.
In my pocket, in my pocket, in my pocket.
In my pocket, in my pocket, in my pocket.
In my pocket, in my pocket, in my pocket.
1. ??? I don't see the logical connexion, but as far as I know, "en rade" can only mean "stranded" or "stuck"2. that's a bit unusual, but makes for a nice rhyme3. the line is more like a rhytmic pattern with no direct connexion to the rest of the lyrics4. subway tickets in Paris are indeed white with a brown magnetic stripe in the middle5. Originally a fictional character from the famous "Les misérables" novel, the term has become loosely equivalent to "street urchin" and somewhat associated with a rebel attitude6. first time I hear about autumn warming up winter, but I can't think of a possible hidden meaning there7. Yep, that's rude. Requires pretty roomy pockets too8. that's similar to the 1st stanza "hooked by a tune"9. "pockets" can act as a metonymy for "money" (or the lack of it), so that means something like "for those who struggle for lack of money"10. "manche de pioche" can evoke the kind of improvised weapon used in a street brawl, but that sounds a bit out of place here11. well, the whole idea is to cram "oche" rhymes into the stanza. The French is amusing, but that's a bit hard to convey in a translation.
Sounds very Renaud-ish too. No wonder the guy was the old star's guest in his comeback concert