C'est La Vie Lyrics in English by Henri Dikongué
Ravit comes from the verb ravir, meaning to delight, enchant, or fill with joy. It's a beautiful and less common verb than simply saying "makes me happy."
In the song, the singer expresses the profound joy and wonder of becoming a father, stating, "Je me sens père, ça me ravit" (I feel like a father, it delights me). This word perfectly captures the deep, almost magical happiness he experiences with the arrival of his child.
“C’est La Vie” is Henri Dikongué’s heartfelt ode to the wonder of new life. From the very first cry of a newborn, the Cameroonian singer lets us feel the rush of emotions that accompany birth: pain and joy, fragility and strength, silence broken by a tiny heartbeat. Each gentle guitar strum seems to sweep away past sorrows, leaving the world suddenly lighter, brighter, and full of possibility. Life itself appears as a divine friend who looks us in the eye and smiles, reminding us how miraculous an ordinary moment can be.
In the chorus Dikongué repeats the simple yet powerful refrain “C’est la vie” as if to anchor us in the present. The arrival of the child does more than spark gratitude; it gives the singer new wings, new desires, and even a new identity as a father. Wounds of the past are “balayées” (swept away), replaced by awe at life’s mystery and magic. The song invites listeners to rediscover the world with newborn eyes, to celebrate every heartbeat, and to cherish the gentle, transformative power of love and renewal.
