Papa Paname [English translation]

Lost in my attitudes1,

my lonesome attitudes,

I felt so strong,

so confident on the roofs... of Paris.

On my bike, I remember,

flying down the street

I was immortal

since you gave me wings... for life

Don't you laugh, Paris2

but there's someting I must tell you:

my Daddy it's you,

I was born in your arms,

and like you I have a hell of a heart3

Don't you laugh, Paris,

and even if that makes you blush,

I love you, Daddy,

I was born in your arms,

And nothing in the world

could make me leave you.

Solitary as I take a stroll

in the funiculaire,

away from the big avenues4

you look so beautiful to me, seen from above.

In the rue des Abesses, I remember,

with my friend Léon and his accordion,

we sang aloud over the rooftops5...

this song.

Don't you laugh, Paris

but there's someting I must tell you:

my Daddy it's you,

I was born in your arms,

and like you I have a hell of a heart

Don't you laugh, Paris,

and even if that makes you blush,

I love you, Daddy,

I was born in your arms,

And nothing in the world

could make me leave you.

And nothing in the world

could make me leave you, ever,

I would never leave,

never leave you... Paris.

1. kind of pun with "the head in my clouds"2. note that "ri-pas" is a rather common use of French "verlan" slang for Paris3. pun on "sacré cœur"4. the "grands boulevards" is a belt of avenues around Paris's center, created in the second half of the 19th century5. "crier sur tous les toits" is an idiom (broadcasting a story), but here it is meant in a literal sense