REQUIEM

(Requiem pour un Con)
Translation by Lulu Norman, PG Imhof & Mick Harvey

Listen to the organ playing just for you
Such a lovely little tune
Hope you feel the same and you're having fun
It's the Requiem for a c*^#

I have written it especially for you
To the memory of the shit I knew
Quite a fertile theme don't you think so son
Like you are to me - stupid c*^#

Hear again the organ playing back that tune
Learn it off by heart and sing it too
Then you'll know the game and just how it's run
In the Requiem for a c*^#

Now you're looking at me can't you hear it through?
But what could there be to offend you?
To me it's all the same if you hate the puns
It's playing anyway - stupid c*^#

I will spread your shame and here's how it's done
I'll spell out your name - stupid c*^#

THE JAVANAISE

(La Javanaise)
Translation by Mick Harvey

I swore that I'd be always true to my love
Before the day that I met you, my love
Measure for measure
As we danced The Javanaise
We were in love
Till the end of that song

What can they teach a man in school about love?
You treated me just like a fool in love
Measure for measure
As we danced The Javanaise
We were in love
Till the end of that song

In Springtime I gave all my heart to love
I wanted so that you'd be part of this love
Measure for measure
As we danced The Javanaise
We were in love
Till the end of that song

Life's no longer worth the fight without love
You didn't want the dizzy heights of love
Measure for measure
As we danced The Javanaise
We were in love
Till the end of that song

BLACK SEAWEED

(Les Goemons)
Translation by Lulu Norman, PG Imhof & Mick Harvey

Algae brown or red lays
Stirring neath the surface
Black wrack seaweed

My loves have been the same
All I can now reclaim
Is black wrack seaweed

Like flowers torn away
From the earth and in decay
Like black seaweed

Picked up and cast aside
By the sea after the tide
Black wrack seaweed

My wounds reawaken
To the crude gyration
Of black seaweed

God she was a beauty
A siren and her duty
Black seaweed

She had the sensuality
And the taste and smell
Of wrack seaweed

I stole her innocence
To the silent dissonance
Of wrack seaweed

Algae brown or red sways
Underneath the surface
Black wrack seaweed

My loves have been the same
All I can now reclaim
Is black wrack seaweed

Like flowers torn away
From the earth and in decay
Like black seaweed

Picked up and cast aside
By the sea after the tide
Black wrack seaweed

COMIC STRIP

Translation by Bill Solly

Come with me let's get together in my comic strip
Let's talk in bubbles let's go -
And -
Forget your troubles and go -

I'm the hero and when I am fighting
I go-
And -
And have a ball so -
And -
And also -

If you want to fly above the city
Follow me and -
Just like a feather -
And -
We'll fly along together

So my dear come here hang on to me
I am near, just remember this
Have no fear and -
Give me a kiss

THE TICKET PUNCHER OF LILAS

(Le Poinçonneur des Lilas)
Translation by Alan Chamberlain & Mick Harvey

I'm the ticket puncher at Lilas
To whom the passengers pay no regard
There's no sunshine in this Metro station
A strange vacation
To kill the boredom in my vest
I've extracts from Readers Digest
And this book says to me
That life is just a ball in Miami
And all the while I'm working like a slave
Down in this cave
They say work's better than the dole
But all day long I just make holes

I punch holes, little holes, then more little holes
Little holes, little holes, always little holes
I make second-class holes
And punch first-class holes
I punch holes, little holes, then more little holes
Little holes, little holes, always little holes
Little holes, little holes
Little holes, little holes

I'm the ticket puncher at Lilas
For Invalides you change at Opera
I live down in the bowels of this here planet
I have in my head
A carnival of confetti
It even gets between my sheets
Under this white tile sky
The only things that shine are exit signs
At times I dream I go into a daze
And in the haze
The railway platform is a quay
A boat is coming to get me

From this hole, little hole, where I make little holes x2
But the boat is sailing
My day-dream's always failing
And I stay in this hole punching little holes
Little holes, little holes, always little holes
Little holes, little holes
Little holes, little holes

I'm the ticket puncher at Lilas
Arts-et-Metiers direct by Levallois
I've had enough I've had it with this bullshit
Down in this cesspit
I'd like to be on the trapeze
Leave my cap and cloak room keys
The day will come I'm sure
When I will get away to something more
I'll take a car a plane a train a yacht
No matter what
But if the time I have is cursed
I'll have to leave this place feet first

I punch holes, little holes, then more little holes
Little holes, little holes, always little holes
I think I will trifle
With a great big rifle
And make a hole, a little hole, one last little hole
And make a hole, a little hole, one last little hole
And then they'll put me in a hole
Where I will hear no more of holes
Never again of little holes
Of little holes, of little holes, of little holes

NON AFFAIR

(L’anamour)
Translation by Lulu Norman, PG Imhof & Mick Harvey

There's no jet on my tarmac
No boat upon my Atlantic
I search in vain for the exit
I search in vain for the way back

I'm singing for the transistors
This strange affair in a story
Of Asian loves transitory
My sleeping-beauty on the floor

Loving you I see
I'll go astray
And sow poppy-seeds
On the runways of escape
From our non-affair

You know those photos of Asia
Shot on 200 ASA
Now that you have gone away
Their colours have turned sepia

I thought I heard the scratch and hiss
Of a small chopper but alas
It's just the fan blades as they pass
Above my head at the police

Loving you I see
I'll go astray
And sow poppy-seeds
On the runways of escape
From our non-affair

SCENIC RAILWAY

Translation by Lulu Norman, PG Imhof & Mick Harvey

Hey, I'll take you away
On the scenic railway
If that's what you want
It's a breeze

Hey, I'll take you away
On the scenic railway
Tomorrow we'll see
I agree

But don't you ever feel
Somewhat unaware dear
Of all that love means
Will you find out one day?

Hey, I'll take you away
On the scenic railway
That's all you think about
It's a tease

Hey, I'll take you away
On the scenic railway
But those kind of thrills
Are easy

Hey, I'll take you away
On the scenic railway
Don't be such a sook
It's Ok

That way you can be
As cruel as I want you
Clutching on to my arm
Your nails digging deep

Hey, I know you're au fait
With my cynical ways
But it's not just machines
That ride you up in the sky

TO ALL THE LUCKY KIDS

(Aux Enfants de la Chance)
Translation by Lulu Norman, PG Imhof & Mick Harvey

To all the lucky kids
Who have never been on trips
Shooting up shit
In substance I'd say this

Don't touch amphetamines
Or angel dust
Don't shoot up that shit
Zero hero for eternity

Don't be so reckless
Or pretend you couldn't care less
Or waste yourselves before you're due
Like Lisa or Janis, hear this

Don't go near magic mushrooms
Or acrid marijuana fumes
'Cause that's how you'll get screwed
You'll get screwed for good

Don't try dragon chasing
Don't even think of free basing
Don't shoot up that shit
Zero hero for eternity

I say to him and to her
To go get those dealers
In the shadows awaiting the score
Horror midnight

ANTHRACITE

Translation by Lulu Norman, PG Imhof & Mick Harvey

All of my dark thought tonight
Are blacker black than anthracite
But what am I supposed to do
When you don't care if we're through?

If I can cause you some delight
It's 'cause my humour's anthracite
And has turned to derision
Your contempt and my passion

But my little one take fright
Beware my anthracitic bite
Like a rabid animal
I'll rip up Les Fleurs de Mal

Evil flowers flowering blight
From this dark night of anthracite
I'll prise them out you can't resist
From the talons of your fist

So come on try with all your might
So that the heat of anthracite
Can come and warm my cold, cold heart
And cool the aching, raging part

You're forcing me into a fight
A fury black as anthracite
So go on and lose control
I want your body and your soul

But I must hide from your eye's sight
Because my own are anthracite
I don't want them seeing through
To all the love I feel for you

I love you oh, my Aphrodite
With your black soul of anthracite
The more I love more love I'll find
The more these thoughts go 'round my mind

The more I love more love I'll find
The more these thoughts go 'round my mind

MANON

Translation by Mick Harvey

Manon, Manon
No, you couldn't ever know, Manon
How much I hate you
And all you do

Ah no, Manon
If you did you'd already be long gone
Perverse Manon
A curse Manon

I have to love you with another
I do know Manon
Oh, cruel Manon

Manon, Manon
No, you will never know Manon
How much I hate you
And all you do

It's wrong, Manon
I seem to have forgotten the reason
I love you, Manon

I LOVE YOU....NOR DO I

(Je t’aime....Moi Non Plus)
Translation by Mick Harvey

I love you, I love you
Oh yes, I love you
Nor do I
Oh, my love
Like a wave irresolute
I go, I go and I come
Inside you my love
I go and I come
Inside you my love
and then
I hold
on

I love you, I love you
Oh yes, I love you
Nor do I
Oh, my love
You are the wave
And I the naked island
You go you go and you come
Inside me, my love
You go and you come
Inside me, my love
And then
We are
One

I love, I love you my love
Inside me, my love
I love you, my love
Deep inside me, my love
And then
We are
One

I love you, I love you
Oh yes, I love you
Nor do I
Oh, my love
Physical love is a dead end
I go, I go and I come
Inside you my love
I go and I come
and I hold on
No
Now!
Come!

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

TORREY CANYON

Translation by Mick Harvey & Sarah Owen

I was born in Japanese construction sites
But at sea I belong with the Americans
An affiliate of a shipping magnate
I keep forgetting the address in Los Angeles

100,000 tonnes of crude
100,000 tonnes in the Torrey Canyon

In Bermuda 30 degrees latitude
They have the Barracuda Tanker Corporation
The boss man he put me on location
For the Union Oil Company of California

100,000 tonnes of crude
100,000 tonnes in the Torrey Canyon

If I'm on a Liberian commission
The captain and seamen are all Italian
The fossil fuel syphoned from this vessel
Is coming from the Consortium of British Petroleum

100,000 tonnes of crude
100,000 tonnes in the Torrey Canyon

WHO IS "IN",WHO IS "OUT"

(Qui est "In", Qui est "Out")
Translation by Alan Chamberlain & Mick Harvey

Up to nine it's OK you're still "IN"
After that it's KO and you're "OUT"
It's the same
Kind of game
For boxing, films & Hit Parades

Who is "In",Who is "Out"

You drink half a soup and then g"IN"
You take lots of pills to go "OUT"
It's so hip
You lose weight
But your heart begins to syncopate

Who is "In",Who is "Out"

Do you like Nitroglycer"IN"e
You'll hear it with a twist and sh"OUT"
In the crowd
They request
John, Paul & George but not Pete Best

Who is "In",Who is "Out"

Barbarella keep your boots and th"IN"k
Tell me once and for all there's no d"OUbT"
You love me
Or you're gone
I'll send you back to Science Fiction

Who is "In",Who is "Out"

HOTEL SPECIFIC

(Hotel Particulier)
Translated by Alan Chamberlain, Mick Harvey & Katy Beale

At number 51, 2 , 3 or maybe 54
On a certain street if you knock on the door
First one time, then 3 more, they'll let you in
Alone or even with a friend

A servant without a word before you wends his way
Along endless passages and spiral stairways
Golden angels sit atop the ornate colonnades
Of Aphrodites and of Salomes

If it's free say 44 is what you're after
It's the room they call here Cleopatra's
Around the 4-poster rococo style bed
Stand black statues with flames held overhead

A ceiling mirror reflects the scene below
As mute witnesses stand in rigid rows
Between those naked slaves, human ebony
Slowly I entwine with Melody

Melody? Melody Nelson?

Slowly I make love with Melody

RUN FROM HAPPINESS

(Fuir le Bonheur de Peur Qu’il Ne Se Sauve)
Translation by Mick Harvey and Sarah Owen

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
That the blue sky will turn a greyish hue
Thinking about something else you can do
Would be wise

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
Tell yourself there's over the rainbow too
The sun is always high up above you
When you rise

Trust in God's paradise when all else is sacrificed
When our lives are destroyed by anger and lies

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
Like a mouse in the corner of the room
That sees at the end of its tail those two
Burning eyes

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
Tell yourself there's over the rainbow too
The sun is always high up above you
When you rise

Trust in God's paradise when all else is sacrificed
When our lives are destroyed by anger and lies

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
To feel everyone for himself is true
Knowing what you might have to go through
Isn't nice

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
Tell yourself there's over the rainbow too
The sun is always high up above you
When you rise

Trust in God's paradise when all else is sacrificed
When our lives are destroyed by anger and lies

Run from happiness scared it might run from you
Say you love me but if you don't want to
You can find something better to do
With your life

DR. JECKYLL

(Docteur Jeckyll et Monsieur Hyde)
Translation by Mick Harvey

Hello Dr. Jeckyll
No, I'm not Dr. Jeckyll
Hello Dr. Jeckyll
My name is Hyde, Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jeckyll hid inside his soul
Mister Hyde a genius with no morals
Mr. Hyde he said nothing
But secretly he thought about it

Hello Dr. Jeckyll
I already said I'm not Dr. Jeckyll
Hello Dr. Jeckyll
My name is Hyde, Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jeckyll had known in his life
Only little hussies who gave him strife
Mr. Hyde in his heart
Took down the notes for the doctor

Hello Dr. Jeckyll
There's no more Dr. Jeckyll
Hello Dr. Jeckyll
My name is Hyde, Mr. Hyde

One day Dr. Jeckyll looked within
And saw that Mr. Hyde was quite in love with him
Mr. Hyde, the dirty swine
Took on the skin of Dr. Jeckyll

Dr. Jeckyll
Dr. Jeckyll