Merci d'être [English translation]

South American women

down in the slums

no older than 15

yet fending for their children1.

To the African women

whose cheerfulness can't be spoiled,

who sow a seed

which will never grow.

They seem to have a gift

that commands respect

that commands forgiveness.

Rebel Indian women

following in Indira2's footsteps.

Words will carry you much farther

than any weapon of war.

(chorus: )

Thank you for being

what we will never be.

And yet we deem ourselves perfect3,

but the rulers of the world are not men.

The rulers of the world are not men indeed.

Thank you for doing

what we will never do4,

for loving us for who we are.

But the rulers of the world are not men.

The rulers of the world are not men indeed.

To the Malayan women;

no, school is not meant for you,

although you're still the keeper

of our sons who rule over us.

And to so many women on Earth

who get no choice.

And may my words be in vain

if I want to give my voice5.

They do/create proofs of selflessness6

that command respect

that command forgiveness.

(chorus)

What we'll never do

And for loving us for who we are

What we'll never be

And yet we deem ourselves perfect

(chorus)

Thank you for existing

1. the image is "bear their children with raised arms", like something you want to protect from water when you cross a deep stream2. Gandhi3. Does not roll off the tongue in French either4. The French uses "being" instead of "doing", which makes no sense strictly speaking. Meaning has been somewhat sacrificed to aesthetics here, I think5. makes little sense in French, even though the broad meaning is understandable as "even if I can't change things I still want to sing about it"6. this is horrible French too. A prettier translation would be "They are proof of selflessness"