L'enfant de la débauche

“L'enfant de la débauche” by Le Rêve du Diable is a poignant narrative that delves into the life of a man who succumbs to a cycle of debauchery and despair. The song begins with the protagonist's birth, where his father ominously predicts that he will lead a life of carefree indulgence. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the protagonist's life unfolds in a series of unfortunate events and poor choices.

As the protagonist grows, he experiences a brief period of normalcy, attending school and gaining some semblance of freedom. However, by the age of eighteen, he begins to spiral into a life of folly, symbolized by his first encounter with alcohol. This moment marks the beginning of his downfall, as he becomes increasingly dependent on drinking to cope with life's challenges. The metaphor of the “p'tit verre de vin” (little glass of wine) represents the protagonist's initial taste of debauchery, which eventually consumes him.

The protagonist's life takes a further turn for the worse when he marries at twenty, only to be abandoned by his wife two months later. This heartbreak solidifies his bond with alcohol, as he vows never to part with his bottle. The song's narrative continues to depict the protagonist's descent into alcoholism, culminating in his refusal to share his inheritance with his father, choosing instead to cling to his bottle. The song concludes with the protagonist's death at sixty, a tragic end that fulfills his father's prophecy. The recurring theme of debauchery and the protagonist's inability to escape its grasp serve as a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of addiction and the cyclical patterns of behavior that can trap individuals in a life of despair.