La valse à mille temps

Jacques Brel's 'La valse à mille temps' is a poetic exploration of love and time, set against the backdrop of Paris. The song uses the metaphor of a waltz to describe the stages and evolution of a romantic relationship. In the first verse, Brel sings about the initial encounter, where he notices his partner smiling alone, and he is captivated by her presence. Paris, the city of love, is personified as it 'beats the measure' and 'whispers softly,' adding to the romantic atmosphere.

As the song progresses, Brel introduces the concept of different 'tempos' of the waltz, each representing a different phase of love. A 'three-time waltz' is charming and leisurely, allowing for detours into love. A 'four-time waltz' is less danceable but equally enchanting. The 'twenty-time waltz' is more troubling yet more captivating, symbolizing the complexities and deeper emotions that come with time. The 'hundred-time waltz' and 'thousand-time waltz' suggest a love that has matured and endured, offering lovers ample time to build their story.

The recurring imagery of Paris and the changing tempos of the waltz serve as a metaphor for the passage of time and the deepening of love. The city, refreshed by love in the spring, mirrors the rejuvenation that love brings to the lovers. The 'thousand-time waltz' ultimately represents a love that has stood the test of time, giving the lovers 'three hundred and thirty-three times the time to build a romance.' Brel's masterful use of repetition and rhythm in the lyrics mimics the cyclical nature of a waltz, reinforcing the idea that love, like a dance, is an ongoing, evolving journey.