Tout semble si [English translation]

Everything seems so peaceful in my city

If I am crazy, what is this sanctuary hiding?

These Africans with their sleek hair

Who have made it as Métis1despite everything

All these smiles that flow freely

And so many grants to drink hot chocolate

All the children who want for nothing

And the crowded terraces

I am the din when the masses are quiet

And you seem so peaceful, my city

But don't wait for them to come back

Even if they have no weapons, you see

Don't wait for them to come back

They've already taken four cities

Don't wait for them to take us

Even if they have no weapons, they're there

Don't wait for them to come back

All that's missing is the sand and the setting sun

All that's missing is the sea, the merchants are already there

There's even a little wind whipping

And pigeons pretending to be seagulls

There are bare legs and crossed thighs

As someone wrote, "Nausea"2

All these snacks to make you sick off of happiness

To make you hate that it will soon be four o'clock

I am the din when the masses are quiet

And you seem so peaceful, my city

But don't wait for them to come back

Even if they have no weapons, you see

Don't wait for them to come back

They've already taken four cities

Don't wait for them to take us

Even if they have no weapons, they're there

Don't wait for them to come back

Everything seems so peaceful in my city

But I don't believe it, it's all too easy

All cities are taken with words

Half the people will always be there to say bravo

This isn't war, that's out of fashion

They tell me: "this is just a bad time that you have to get through"

In any case if I throw my lasso

They will be at the door of my ghetto

Like in Toulon, Orange, and Marignane3

But I don't care, we love fistfights here

But don't wait for them to come back

Even if they have no weapons, you see

Don't wait for them to come back

They've already taken four cities

Don't wait for them to take us

Even if they have no weapons, they're there

Don't wait for them to come back

1. Métis is the French term for "mixed-race" but often refers specifically to people of mixed Native American/First Nations and European ancestry. However, in this context I believe it is used more generally, since the previous line mentions Africans.2. "La Nausée" is the name of Jean-Paul Sartre's first novel.3. Toulon, Orange, and Marignane are three cities in France that elected members of the far-right Front National to their mayorships in 1995. FN were very heavy-handed in their management of the cities' cultural scenes. You can read more about it on Wikipedia.