Funambule [English translation]

In each age we seek ourselves a little bit and ask if we recognize ourselves.

We are ourselves, we do what we can, we won't change, that's what what we promise ourselves.

Between bitumen and red carpet I slid back and forth. 1

I am side to side with poverty and opulence, learning to span the great divide.

Life suggests so many things 2. Sometimes I rush, sometimes I slow down.

I see both sides of the system, but I don't feel like a schizophrenic.

I try not to make too many mistakes and I feel free to make my own choices.

I believe deeply that everything is a question of balance.

It's for the need of balance that I've had to take a few risks.

After a stroke of bad luck, my life had started to be sad.

Separated from the playing field, with a burst of energy I compensated,

I had needed another support, I threw myself into writing.

It's for the need of balance that I needed adventure,

All my history closed upon itself needed to find an opening.

I touched the accelerator to rediscover feelings.

Because when I walk accompanied just now I'll have needed a compensation. 3

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties.

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world, 4

Balance is an attitude.

I am a tightrope walker...I advance far from certainties.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties.

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

A am a...Feet on the ground.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties.

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a tightrope walker...Air in my world.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties.

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a...I am a tightrope walker.

When I experienced show-biz, I saw the realm of egotists.

Who can join the most cliques? Who will be echoed most?

I won't spit in the soup 5, there where I feel good,

But to keep my balance I won't forget where I come from.

It's for the need of balance that I keep a bit of off-track.

Because I also like the human life when it interrupts the artistic life.

Between the light of the moon and that of the spotlights, now I know

That I have my place at the Olympia 6, but also in the M.J.C.'s 7

I take a step back and put on gloves when I see the sparkle and sequins.

The good people 8 feel important, to me who they cause stress, they aren't genuine.

I won't spit in the soup, I've met people who are really good,

But I always see eye-to-eye more with those who came from the same place I'm from.

It's for the need of balance that we played in the cathedrals

And after, seeing eye to eye with an imprisoned public.

It's for the need of balance that all my feelings meet

When I see the crowd rise, I think of my son who is asleep.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties.

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a tightrope walker...I advance far from certainties.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties.

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a....I am a tightrope walker.

If I like the night, it's because of the day and I like the day because of the night.

I like being alone because of the crowd and because of the silence I like the noise.

Need all that to be moved. I feel strong and feel fear.

Everything is about balance. I believe this from the bottom of my heart.

If a life starts spinning, it's because balance is in a tailspin

To keep it it's good not to sit on one's laurels.

So I stay vigilant against recreating disorder.

Between the ice and the fire, I like the mildness. I like that it bites 9.

Balance is in nature. I'm not inventing anything. It goes without saying,

That there has to be both rain and sun for a flower to bloom

It takes breaking the rules for life to have spice.

It takes power and will for a child to stand upright.

I put on the light to see the future, but sometime I like to extinguish it too.

In life we don't care about the goal, what matters is the path we take to achieve it.

So I advance on a string among the paths spread before me

In awkward balance, I am a tightrope walker with crutches

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a tightrope walker...I advance far from certainties

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a...Feet on the ground.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a tightrope walker...Air in my world.

I am a tightrope walker, I advance far from certainties

Feet on the ground. Air. In my world,

Balance is an attitude.

I am a...I am a tightrope walker.

1. Bitumen used as a symbol for miserable circumstances.2. Implies inspiration.3. Yes, I do know this makes little sense and isn't grammatically correct. If anyone is familiar with the song and wants to offer a better translation, I'd welcome the assistance.4. 'world' is an approximate translation used in the sense of 'in one's own world'. The literal translation is 'bubble'.5. This has a similar meaning to the english expression: 'to bite the hand that feeds'6. Most likely referring to the music hall in Paris.7. Could stand for 'Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture', which are somewhat like community centres in the english speaking world, from what I understand.8. This is used in a bit of a tongue-in-cheek manner, and would be closer to the 19th century english 'gentle-folk'. (ie. upper class, high-society)9. With the meaning that it takes hold and doesn't let go