Toutes les nuits

Gaston Mandeville's song "Toutes les nuits" paints a poignant picture of a woman grappling with loneliness and hardship. The lyrics describe a woman who is seen daily at her window, exchanging a simple greeting with the narrator. Her life is marked by the absence of a partner, as she raises her children and tends to her home alone. The imagery of her lowering her eyes to face the winter, burdened by her small miseries, underscores her quiet resilience and the weight of her solitude.

The song delves deeper into her emotional state, revealing her exhaustion from years of struggle. She questions the vastness of the world and the smallness of her own existence, wondering why she cries every night. This recurring question highlights her sense of isolation and the unfulfilled need for companionship and tenderness. The mention of princes who were not charming and who fled from her dreams and children adds a layer of disillusionment, emphasizing her unmet desires for a supportive partner.

Mandeville's lyrics also touch on the woman's existential despair. She has lost faith in God and destiny, feeling trapped in a cycle of daily hardships. The rumor that she waits for rain to buy a new dress and sleep in the river's water is a haunting metaphor for her longing for escape, perhaps even hinting at a desire for release from her suffering. The song captures the essence of her silent struggles, making it a powerful commentary on loneliness, resilience, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.