La Nuit D'octobre Lyrics in English by Serge Gainsbourg
Abhorré comes from the verb abhorrer, meaning to detest or loathe. It's a strong, evocative word that conveys intense dislike and revulsion.
In "La Nuit D'octobre," Serge Gainsbourg uses this word to express his profound hatred for the memory of a past lover. He sings, "Et j'y laisserais j'espère ton souvenir abhorré" (And I hope to leave there your abhorred memory), highlighting the depth of his bitterness and desire to rid himself of the painful past. It's a powerful and less common word that perfectly captures the song's dark and vengeful tone.
Serge Gainsbourg is known for his clever and often provocative lyrics, and "La Nuit D'octobre" is a prime example of his early work. This song is a dramatic lament, a bitter farewell to lost innocence and the woman who caused it. He starts by directly blaming her: "Honte à toi qui la première m'a appris la trahison" [Shame on you who first taught me betrayal].
He describes how this woman, with her "œil sombre" [dark eye], ruined his youth and happiness, making him lose his reason. Gainsbourg claims her "regard corrupteur" [corrupting gaze] taught him to curse even the semblance of happiness. He even says that her youth and charms made him despair, and because he saw her cry, he now doubts the sincerity of tears. It's a powerful and somewhat over-the-top expression of heartbreak, where he sees her as the source of all his pain, a wound that will never heal.
