Pauvre Lola Lyrics in English by Serge Gainsbourg
Calendes Grecques literally translates to "Greek Kalends." In ancient Roman calendars, the Kalends were the first day of the month. However, the ancient Greeks did not have Kalends in their calendar system.
Therefore, the phrase "aux calendes Grecques" (to the Greek Kalends) is an idiom meaning "never" or "at a never-specified, indefinitely postponed future time." It's a clever and somewhat rare expression that adds a touch of classical wit to the lyrics, implying that something will simply never happen.
Serge Gainsbourg’s "Pauvre Lola" is a playful, almost instructional song about the delicate dance of seduction, or perhaps, just human interaction. He’s giving Lola some advice, or maybe he’s giving advice to someone about Lola. The opening lines, "Faut savoir s'étendre Sans se répandre" [You have to know how to spread out Without spilling over], set a tone of carefulness and control. It’s about making a move without being too much, which he calls "délicat" [delicate].
He continues with more warnings: "Ne pas la surprendre Pas l'entreprendre" [Don't surprise her Don't undertake her] and even more specifically, "De but en bas" [From top to bottom]. It sounds like he’s telling someone to take it easy! But then he shifts, talking about "mots tendres Qu'elle aime entendre" [tender words That she likes to hear]. It seems Lola, or Lolita, responds to kindness. The outcome, he says, "Ça va dépendre Un peu de toi" [It will depend A little on you]. And in a slightly ominous but also realistic close, he reminds Lola, "On peut te prendre" [One can take you], but reassures her, "On peut pas te prendre Jusqu'aux calendes Grecques Lola" [One can't take you Until the Greek Calends, Lola] – meaning, not forever. It’s a wonderfully witty and slightly cynical take on relationships.
