Toujours aimer
Édith Piaf
The Eternal Flame of Love: Édith Piaf's 'Toujours aimer'
Édith Piaf's song 'Toujours aimer' delves deep into the complexities and enduring nature of love. The lyrics poignantly express the idea that the human heart often struggles to sustain love perpetually. Piaf sings about the tears shed from loving too intensely and the disillusionment that follows when the initial passion fades. This sentiment is encapsulated in the lines, 'On n'a pas dans le coeur / De quoi toujours aimer,' which translates to 'We don't have in our hearts / Enough to always love.' The song reflects on the fleeting nature of love and the sorrow that accompanies its loss.
The song also explores the theme of regret and nostalgia. Piaf reminisces about the times when love felt genuine and all-consuming, only to wake up one day and find that the magic has dissipated. The lyrics, 'On regrette le temps / Où l'on croyait s'aimer,' meaning 'We regret the time / When we thought we loved each other,' highlight the bittersweet memories of past love. These lines capture the universal experience of looking back on a relationship with a mix of fondness and sorrow.
Despite the melancholy tone, Piaf's song carries a message of resilience and unwavering commitment to love. She declares that she has enough in her heart to always love, even if it means enduring pain and suffering. The repeated lines, 'Mais moi j'ai dans le coeur / De quoi toujours aimer,' or 'But I have in my heart / Enough to always love,' emphasize her determination to keep loving, no matter the cost. This declaration transforms the song into an anthem of enduring love and emotional strength, showcasing Piaf's indomitable spirit and her belief in the power of love to transcend time and hardship.