Les Émigrants

How do you think they came?
They came with empty pockets and bare hands
To work at arm's length
And clear unattractive soil
How do you think they stayed?
They stayed, toiling like the damned
Without having to look up
To feel close to God
All together
You see, they are full of fervor and virtue
All together
Built a temple in wasted time
How do you think they held up?
They held on, being believers and stubborn
Determined for their children
To make a different world
The emigrants
How do you think they ate?
They ate, this damn mad cow
Who finishes you off or makes you strong
Either we die or we get through it
How do you think they liked it?
They loved, blessing their first born
And who mixed their blood
Their traditions and accents
All together
They soon created a new universe
All together
Without holocausts and without ghettos
How do you think they won?
They won when it came to designating
Men with guts
They were all in the front row
The emigrants
How do you think they suffered?
They suffered, some describing hell
With the pen or the brush
It got us Picasso
How do you think they fought?
They fought, having a love of the profession
Until they sacrifice their lives
Remember Marie Curie
All together
With their hands
They worked for tomorrow
All together
Serving as an example to mankind
How do you think they finished?
They finished, leaving a little of their genius
In what man has always had
Made more beautiful, made bigger
The emigrants