Matelots translates to "sailors". While the song is about water in all its forms, this word introduces a human element and a sense of adventure.
It's used in the line "Et nous sommes matelots / Sur les flots / Tous Ă bord du mĂŞme bateau" (And we are sailors / On the waves / All aboard the same boat), creating a vivid image of humanity navigating the world's waters together. It's a charming and slightly less common word than 'eau' (water) itself, making it more enticing for a learner.
Look at Earth from the Moon or Jupiter and one thing jumps out – our world is a shimmering blue marble made of water. In C’est De L’eau, Les Enfantastiques invite us on a joyful voyage that lists every place water hides: rivers, oceans, rain-filled clouds, morning dew, even bread, blood and the tears on a lover’s cheek. The song repeats a simple refrain – “C’est de l’eau, c’est de l’eau” – to remind us that almost everything we touch, taste or feel is part of the same life-giving liquid.
By showing that animals, plants, art and people are all bound together by water, the lyrics turn listeners into sailors on a single shared ship. The message is clear and uplifting: we are crew-mates on the vast waves of our planet, so we must marvel at water’s magic and take care of it. Sing along and you will not only practice French, you will celebrate the substance that keeps every melody, heartbeat and masterpiece afloat.