Zaz - Paris sera toujours Paris (English Translation)

[Verse 1]

As a precaution we had better

Bar our windows

And cover our storefronts

Up to the tires of our cars

Remove the canvases from our museums

Shake up the Champs-Élysées

Swaddle our beautiful statues

With packed earth

Put out the streetlamps in the evenings

Plunge the city of light into darkness



[Chorus]

Paris will always be Paris!

The most beautiful city in the world

Despite the profound dark

Her radiance can never be dimmed

Paris will always be Paris!

The more we put out her light

The more her courage will shine

The more her spirit will shine

Paris will always be Paris!



[Verse 2]

To prepare everyone for the sound

We play sirens at night

Restrain ourselves to playing the fool

In pajamas in our basements

We've had enough of decrees

That would ban our veal and even jazz

Tell us to wear gas masks

Limit our crosswords to four squares

Command us in our homes

To be in bed by eleven



[Chorus]

Paris will always be Paris!

The most beautiful city in the world

And when restrictions abound

Graciously she accepts her role

Paris will always be Paris!

However many times they've limited her gas

They'll never limit her faith

Her good humor, and her spirit

Paris will always be Paris!



[Verse 3]

In spite of my faith, since October

The dresses have gotten very subdued

There are fewer flowers and feathers

And the colors are much more muted

Even though at the balls they've banned

Chinchillas and ermines

The very modest jewelry

Shines even brighter in their absence

The beauty is less ostentatious

Less affronting and less provocative



[Chorus]

Paris will always be Paris!

The most beautiful city in the world

Even when in the distance the canons groan

Her costume is even prettier

Paris will always be Paris!

They can limit her expenses

Her distinction, her elegance

Will only merit a greater price

Paris will always be Paris!