Ta main [English translation]

They are quite often tied and sometimes free.

They build kites, they write books.

Sometimes they are open, sometimes they hold batons1

Some people clench them, others reach out with them.

They put them on their hearts on in their pockets.

They build parks where kids go running.

Though they are sometimes used to chastize all around the world,

we could join them, that would form a ring.2

Those that hold weapons

Those that wipe tears away

Those that soothe children

Those that unite us

Those that punish us

As for mine, I hold it to you.

Give me your hand, kid, and grab his again.

We'll form a round dance and chains

Give me your hand, kid, and grab his again.

We'll go round and round, let's do it3

Give me your hand

Give me your hand, kid, and

we'll go round and round, let's do it

Sometimes they are happy, sometimes so lonely.

When they wander they end up in your face

They are quite often naked, some people glove them

Some are put at stake4, some people ask them5

Those that hold weapons

Those that wipe tears away

Those that soothe children

Those that unite us

Those that punish us

As for mine, I hold it to you.

Give me your hand, kid, and grab his again.

We'll form a round dance and chains

Give me your hand, kid, and grab his again.

We'll go round and round, let's do it

Give me your hand

Give me your hand, kid, and

we'll go round and round, let's do it

I was lost just like you in sorrow

I waited for someone to grab mine.

You can build chains out of outstretched hands, you know.

And today it's me who grabs yours.

Give me your hand, kid, and grab his again.

We'll form a round dance and chains

Give me your hand, kid, and grab his again.

We'll go round and round, let's do it

Give me your hand, kid, and

Give me your hand, kid, and

we'll go round and round, let's do it

1. a "main courante" is a statement you can make in a police station logbook, that can be produced later in law suit. Can't see how to tie that to "hand" in English except by alluding to the police2. "ronde" is a round dance, it's the usual term for this metaphor of joining hands all around the world (a round dance around the world)3. I don't know what he means by this "come on, my sorrow/hard work/sentence". Apparently he's not speaking any common French variant like Canadian French, so I'm all at sea4. "mettre sa main à couper("stake one's hand to be cut off") is like "betting your bottom dollar on smt.". Sorry, I could not find any English equivalent there either.5. in marriage