Regarde-toi Paname

Don't act so high and mighty, Paris
I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings
But you can see the Seine flowing
Somewhere other than at Notre-Dame
From Châtillon to the estuary
It touches many other places
Thanks to God for that
There's more than just Paris on this earth

Paris, if you think you're beautiful
It's because you haven't looked at yourself
From the side of the Grenelle quay
Or Maubert/Mutualité
Paris in the evening, Paris at night
You drink, you dance, you stuff your face
And you drown your solitude and boredom
In the sound of the flutes

Paris, you're gonna lose your edge
From biting into the cake too much
You're gaining weight at Rambuteau
You're not as young and you’re settling down
Paris, you think you're clever
But you haven't looked at yourself
On the old Batignolles bridge
It's been a while since we danced there

You find misery annoying
But you wear your fancy neighborhoods
Like their rings and necklaces
Old ladies without fortunes
But just three steps from your grand marbles
Across from the Passy quay
There are kids from around here
Who have never climbed trees

Go dress your fake poets
Paris, you've lost your touch
You're only good for the Americans
Who come to get drunk at your parties
A herd of rooftops, a calm river
Generous sky, stubborn pavement
Big mouth and little virtue
Paris, you're still my city

There are downsides to your medals
Poor rhymes in your poems
For a hundred palaces, for a hundred feasts
How many slums and hardships
And yet I have no desire
To drag my shoes elsewhere
It's where I started my life
It's where I'll end it.