Dégoupillées literally means "unpinned" and is most commonly associated with grenades, as in "grenades dégoupillées" (unpinned grenades).
In this song, Renaud uses this striking image to describe the dangerous and volatile situation in Northern Ireland, where even the trees seem to bear fruit of conflict rather than peace. It's a powerful and evocative word that immediately paints a vivid picture of the song's serious themes.
La Ballade Nord-Irlandaise turns the simple act of planting an orange tree into a vivid symbol of peace and hope. French singer-songwriter Renaud imagines sailing into conflict-torn Northern Ireland, a land where the only “fruit” so far has been the pull-pin explosions of grenades. Instead of taking sides, he offers camaraderie: Let’s share a drink, go fishing, and sing together. By choosing an orange tree—an unmistakable nod to the Orange Order—he reclaims the color for unity rather than division.
Renaud then challenges the roots of the conflict, urging people to “kill your gods” and stop hiding behind religious symbols. Real change, he insists, comes from ordinary men and women who decide to plant seeds of friendship instead of hatred. When the orange tree finally blooms, it yields “the sweet fruit of freedom,” proving that music, fellowship, and a single brave gesture can outshine decades of violence.