Les souvenirs de nos vingt ans
Divers
The Colorful Butterflies of Our Memories
“Les souvenirs de nos vingt ans” by Divers is a poetic reflection on the different types of memories we accumulate throughout our lives, using the metaphor of butterflies to represent them. The song beautifully categorizes memories into various colors and types of butterflies, each symbolizing a different aspect of our past experiences.
The lyrics begin by describing the memories of our twenties as “jolis papillons blancs” (pretty white butterflies). These memories are portrayed as gentle and tender, bringing back sweet news from the past. The white butterflies symbolize the innocence and purity of youth, fluttering away but always returning to remind us of those carefree days.
Next, the song talks about the memories of happy days, depicted as “jolis papillons bleus” (pretty blue butterflies). These blue butterflies are rare and precious, cherished by our minds. They appear after storms and hardships, brightening our hearts with their presence. This imagery suggests that happy memories are like rare gems that bring joy and comfort during difficult times.
The song also addresses the memories of our worries, represented by “vilains papillons gris” (ugly gray butterflies). These gray butterflies are persistent and hard to chase away, symbolizing the tenacity of troubling memories. However, they eventually disappear with the arrival of better days, indicating that even the darkest memories can fade with time.
Finally, the song speaks of the memories of our loves, described as “papillons de velours” (velvet butterflies). These velvet butterflies have made a home in our hearts, adored infinitely. The metaphor of velvet suggests softness, warmth, and a lasting presence, highlighting the deep and enduring nature of love memories.
Through its vivid and colorful metaphors, “Les souvenirs de nos vingt ans” captures the essence of how different memories shape our lives, each with its unique impact and significance.