THE BALLAD OF MELODY NELSON

(Ballade de Melody Nelson)
Translation by Mick Harvey & Sarah Owen


This is the story of
Melody Nelson
Who other than this man right here
Took in her arms no other loves
You think that's weird
But that's how it was

She used to have love
Poor Melody Nelson
She used to have it by the ton
Now her days are just numbers
Fourteen Autumns
And fifteen summers

A little animal
That Melody Nelson
An adorable urchin
A most delicious infant
That I knew then
For but a moment

Ah my Melody
My Melody Nelson
A delightful vagabond
You were the only condition
Sine Qua Non
Of my reason