Si J’avais Su Lyrics in English Claudio Capéo

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Si J’avais Su by Claudio Capéo from French to English.

I'd have told you everything

That I'd never told you before

That your skin smells like roses

That I love the name Edith

I'd have told you everything

Things we don't say often enough

'Cause often in life we don't dare

To say things while there's still time

I'd have told you about the sea

So you could see it once more

We'd have kicked the nurse out

Then we'd have laughed out loud

I'd have told you that your face

Makes me think of the ocean

That your wrinkles look like waves

Where kids go swimming

If I'd known

When I left that night

If I'd known

That time waits for nobody

If I'd known

That it was the first time

I was seeing you for the last time

I'd have redone your bun

And you'd have told me it pulls

I'd have acted a bit silly

Just to watch your smile

I'd have promised to write a song

That'd tell how beautiful you were

That'd say how dumb we are

To believe people are eternal

And I'd have held you so tight

There'd be marks on your neck

I'd have looked at you again

And above all kept you

I'd have locked you in my eyes

I'd have captured your scent

I'd have said goodbye a bit better

Then lied, see you tomorrow

If I'd known

When I left that night

If I'd known

That time waits for nobody

If I'd known

That it was the first time

I was seeing you for the last time

I'd have rushed to love you

Like we chase after life

'Cause we never love enough

I'd have said I love you too

Words, we shouldn't hoard them

We gotta pass them all around

Else what are words for

Except decorating graves

If I'd known

When I left that night

If I'd known

That time waits for nobody

If I'd known

But often we don't know

We're seeing someone for the last time

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SONG MEANING

Si J’avais Su is Claudio Capéo’s moving reminder that time never stops, so our words of love shouldn’t wait either. Through nostalgic images — from comparing a loved one’s wrinkles to ocean waves to imagining laughter echoing in a hospital room — the singer rewinds the clock and lists everything he would have said or done if he had known this was their final goodbye. Each line feels like a heartfelt post-it note stuck to moments we often take for granted.

The song blends warmth, humor and sorrow to teach a powerful lesson: speak up, cherish people, and share affection today, because life rarely warns us when it is the “first time we see someone for the last time.” It is both a gentle hug and a playful nudge, encouraging listeners to swap silence for sincerity, and to turn everyday encounters into unforgettable memories.

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Claudio Capéo Si J’avais Su Lyrics