Lampedusa Lyrics in English Christophe Maé

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Lampedusa by Christophe Maé from French to English.

I think of you, my love

I, who am far from our lands

I'm going for you, my love

For Mama and for my brothers

Over there it's a land of welcome

I'll soon be on the doorstep

Over there it's Europe

But on this reef-strewn sea

Under this mourning moon

We bail, we bail

Tell my elders and tell Mama

That it'll be wonderful in Lampedusa

Tell my elders

Tell Moussa

I'll spend happy days in Lampedusa

I think of you, my love

You, what are you doing

Don't worry, my love

Soon you'll be so proud

And even if the weather turns bad

Even if the wind hits us

I'll arrive soon

Even if the wind smacks us

The next stop is El Dorado

Tell my elders and tell Mama

Everything'll be better in Lampedusa

Tell my elders

Tell Moussa

I'll spend happy days in Lampedusa

My God, my God

I've dreamed so much of this place

I was going for you and me

I've dreamed so much of this place

This place I won't love

If you knew, my God

How cold I am

My God, my God

I said goodbye to you

But don't say anything to Mama

I still see your eyes

I hear their samba

While I sink in the middle

Off Lampedusa

My God, my God

I've dreamed so much of being me

Don't say anything to Mama

I'm sinking in the middle off Lampedusa

I think of you, my love

This thought'll be the last

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SONG MEANING

Lampedusa invites listeners aboard a fragile boat in the Mediterranean, where a young man dreams of reaching the tiny Italian island that has become a symbol of hope for thousands of migrants. He whispers promises to his sweetheart, his mother and his ancestors, convinced that Europe will offer safety, work and a new identity. The chorus glows with optimism — “Je coulerai des jours heureux à Lampedusa” (I will spend happy days in Lampedusa) — painting the island as an eldorado shimmering on the horizon.

Yet the song’s warm guitar and gentle rhythm hide a heartbreaking twist. As the sea grows rough, those optimistic vows turn into prayers. The narrator feels the cold, remembers the music of home and finally realizes he may never step on land again. Christophe Maé balances hope and despair, reminding us that behind every headline about migration lies a human story filled with love, courage and tragic uncertainty.

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Christophe Maé Lampedusa Lyrics