Le violon de mon père [English translation]

It could tell you the stories of three generations,

though it's just a violin.

It lulls infants to sleep, and plays at their weddings when they're grown.

It's the friend of everyone in the house.

Its body is made out of wood, from the tree of truth.

Its strings have a voice that nothing else can imitate.

Refrain

It's a history book, my father's violin.

It has so many memories, my father's violin.

One day he offered me a guitar to play for fun,

and I've been making music ever since.

He's the one who gave me the desire to sing,

and now I want to share it with you.

It's like reliving my childhood,

seeing everyone dancing,

or maybe crying, while the violin plays.

Refrain

On board the boat where we seek our future

we entrusted it with our memories.

It's kept them well for us, if you're in any doubt,

just listen to it play.

You'll hear it wail when it tells our sad stories.

You'll see it smile when it tells our happy times.

Refrain