Le Roi S'en Va Chasser

Cécile Corbel's song "Le Roi S'en Va Chasser" tells a haunting and mystical story of a king obsessed with hunting. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a monarch who finds his greatest joy in the relentless pursuit of game, both day and night. Accompanied by soldiers and pages, the king leads a grand entourage into the wilderness, driven by an insatiable desire for conquest and bloodshed. The repeated refrain, "Attention, voici les grandes chasses," serves as a chilling reminder of the impending violence and the cursed nature of these hunts.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when the king and his retinue encounter a red hare, which they chase tirelessly from evening until morning. The hare, symbolizing innocence and purity, transforms into a majestic white stag, a creature often associated with the divine or the supernatural in folklore. This transformation signifies a shift in the story, as the hunt becomes more than just a physical pursuit; it takes on a spiritual dimension. The stag's appearance, with its antlers resembling a cross, introduces a moment of revelation and introspection for the king.

In the climax, the wounded stag speaks to the king, urging him to spare the creature's life. The stag reveals that it, too, is a king, ruling over realms beyond the earthly domain. This encounter forces the king to confront the futility and destructiveness of his actions. The song's conclusion leaves listeners with a powerful message about the consequences of unchecked power and the possibility of redemption. Through its rich imagery and evocative storytelling, "Le Roi S'en Va Chasser" explores themes of obsession, transformation, and the moral responsibilities of leadership.