Barbara

Remember Barbara
It was raining incessantly on Brest that day
And you were walking, smiling
Radiant, delighted, dripping in the rain

Remember Barbara
It was raining incessantly on Brest
And I crossed paths with you on Siam Street
You were smiling and I was smiling too

Remember Barbara
You whom I didn't know
You who didn't know me
Remember, remember that day, don't forget
A man sheltered under a porch
And he shouted your name, Barbara
And you ran towards him in the rain
Dripping, delighted, radiant
And you threw yourself into his arms
Remember that, Barbara
And don't be mad at me if I use 'you'
I say 'you' to all those I love
Even if I've only seen them once
I say 'you' to all those who love each other
Even if I don't know them

Remember Barbara
Don't forget this rain on the sea
On your happy face, on this happy city
This rain on the sea
On the arsenal
On the boat to Ouessant
Oh Barbara
What a damn war
What have you become now
Under this rain of iron, fire, steel, blood
And the one who was holding you lovingly in his arms
Is he dead, disappeared, or still alive
Oh Barbara
It's raining incessantly on Brest
But it's not the same anymore and everything is damaged
It's a terrible, desolate rain of mourning
It's not even the storm of iron, steel, blood

Just clouds
Bursting like dogs
Dogs that disappear
Along the water in Brest
And rot far away
Far, far away from Brest
Where nothing remains