L'accordéoniste Lyrics in English Édith Piaf

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song L'accordéoniste by Édith Piaf from French to English.
These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!
Verse 1
The Accordionist
The prostitute is beautiful
On the street corner over there
She has clients
Who fill up her stocking
When her work is done
She goes off in turn
To look for a little dream
In a suburban dance hall
Her man is an artist
He's a strange little guy
An accordionist
Who knows how to play the java
Prechorus 1
She listens to the java
But she doesn't dance it
She doesn't even look at the dance floor
And her loving eyes
Follow the nervous playing
And the artist's long, dry fingers
Chorus 1
It gets under her skin
From below, from above
She feels like singing
It's physical
Her whole being is tense
Her breath is held
She's a real music freak
Verse 2
The prostitute is sad
On the street corner over there
Her accordionist
He's gone off to be a soldier
When he comes back from the war
They'll get a house
She'll be the cashier
And he'll be the boss
How beautiful life will be
They'll be real pashas
And every evening for her
He'll play the java
Prechorus 2
She listens to the java
That she hums very softly
She pictures her accordionist
And her loving eyes
Follow the nervous playing
And the artist's long, dry fingers
Chorus 2
It gets under her skin
From below, from above
She feels like crying
It's physical
Her whole being is tense
Her breath is held
She's a real music freak
Verse 3
The prostitute is alone
On the street corner over there
Girls who sulk
Men don't want them
And too bad if she croaks
Her man will never come back
Goodbye to all the beautiful dreams
Her life, it's f*cked
Yet her sad legs
Take her to the dive bar
Where there's another artist
Who plays all night long
Prechorus 3
She listens to the java
She hears the java
She closed her eyes
And the dry, nervous fingers
Chorus 3
It gets under her skin
From below, from above
She feels like screaming
It's physical
So to forget
She started to dance, to spin
To the sound of the music
Stop!
Stop the music
Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © SEMI, Peermusic Publishing
Michel Emer
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pachas — pashas

Pachas refers to 'pashas', a historical title for high-ranking officials in the Ottoman Empire, often associated with wealth and power. In French, it's used metaphorically to describe people living a life of luxury and comfort.

In the song, the accordionist and the 'fille de joie' dream of a future where "Ils seront de vrais pachas" (They will be real pashas), signifying their hope for a prosperous and carefree life together. This word is evocative and paints a vivid picture of their aspirations, making it both unique and memorable.

Get ready for a powerful and heartbreaking story from the legendary Édith Piaf. "L'accordéoniste" tells the tale of a prostitute, or a fille de joie ("girl of joy"), whose only escape from her difficult life is the love she has for an accordion player. The song takes us on an emotional journey, starting with the pure bliss she feels just watching him play. The music completely consumes her, a feeling she finds almost physical. She is a true tordue de la musique—a music fanatic!

But this is a Piaf song, so tragedy is just around the corner. Her lover is sent to war, and she is left alone, clinging to the dream of a future where they run their own little place and he plays the accordion just for her. The song's final verse reveals her devastating fate when her dreams are shattered forever. It's a classic French ballad about love, hope, and devastating loss, all centered around the haunting sound of an accordion.

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