Entre Saint-Ouen et Clignancourt

Édith Piaf's song 'Entre Saint-Ouen et Clignancourt' is a poignant reflection on nostalgia, change, and the passage of time. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who reminisces about her past life in the working-class neighborhoods of Saint-Ouen and Clignancourt in Paris. Despite her current wealth and material possessions, she feels a deep sense of longing and melancholy for the simpler times of her youth. This sentiment is encapsulated in the line, 'Certains jours quelque chose me manque, J'ai le cafard tout à coup,' which translates to 'Some days something is missing, I suddenly feel down.'

The song vividly describes the protagonist's memories of her past, painting a picture of a vibrant and lively community. She recalls selling flowers at the age of seventeen, the smell of fries and lilacs, and the playful children in the streets. These memories are contrasted with her current life, where she feels disconnected from the genuine human experiences she once knew. The lyrics, 'Entre Saint-Ouen et Clignancourt, De temps en temps faut que je fasse un tour, Sur la zone,' highlight her need to revisit these places to reconnect with her roots and find solace in her memories.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the physical landscape of her past has changed dramatically. The once-familiar streets and wooden shacks have been demolished, replaced by new developments. This transformation is a metaphor for the inevitable changes that come with time, and the sense of loss that accompanies it. The final lines, 'Et devant mes souvenirs détruits, Toute seule j'ai pleuré dans la nuit,' meaning 'And in front of my destroyed memories, I cried alone in the night,' capture the profound sadness and isolation she feels as she confronts the reality that her past is irretrievably gone.