L'anniversaire [English translation]

New Year's Day, it returns too often.

I do not know how the time flies.

The first of May hardly has sprung

before a new sprig of lily of the valley pokes through.

The fourteenth of July—I forgot all about it

and here are its lanterns lighting the night.

And Halloween that comes around as a death knell

for all those who will not be returning.

A year—another anniversary

of a morning without light

when you took off like a bird.

A year, one year more, my beautiful,

to blow out your candles

and eat your cake alone.

New Year's Day, it returns too often.

I do not know how the time flies.

Easter Day, that returns like the day,

the first one when we made love.

And Pentecost, that seems like just yesterday

when I discovered the sea at Tréport.

And All Saints Day—there it returns

with a chrysanthemum in its hand.

A year—another anniversary

of a day that will make me

cry when I should smile.

A year, one year more, my beautiful,

go blow out the candles

of your memories.