Smile / Ta vie
Smile: An invitation to smile regardless of ordeals and difficult days, because all it takes is a smile to heal the pain and restore a zest for life.
Ta vie (your life) : it’s impossible in French to keep the invitation to smile – it would be : « souris » –, I had to find another verb, with a single syllable and a strong consonant. “Smile though your heart is aching” became « Bois ce qu’il a à boire »/“Drink all there is to drink” – the verb “drink” being taken here in the figurative sense of embracing everything that life has to offer. In French, the song turned into an invitation to take everything in life, the best and the worst, and to recognize that each and every one of us carry within ourselves a source of joy that no trial can deplete. The song is intended, in French as in English, as a comforting hand on the shoulder, a call to stay strong in times of adversity and to always get back up, no matter what happens.
Smile
Written by
Charlie Chaplin
Smile though your heart is aching / Smile even though it's breaking / When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow / Smile and maybe tomorrow / You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness / Hide every trace of sadness / Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying / Smile, what's the use of crying / You’ll find that life is still worthwhile / If you just smile
Ta vie
French kiss by
François Godin
Bois ce qu’il y a à boire / Bois, c’est quoi, t’en as marre ? / Brève est la vie, souvent dure est la vie
Oui mais bois la lumière, l’eau, le vin / Les colères, les chagrins / Tu le sais bien, tout s’efface, tout passe
Quoi ? Tu rêves d’être un autre / Quoi ? Qu’est-ce qu’ils ont les autres ? / Chacun sa vie, chacun n’a que sa vie
Et si même tu crois toucher le fond / Tu te dois de tenir bon / Une fontaine de joie / Murmure en toi
Your Life
Translation of the
French adaptation
Drink all there is to drink / Drink! What is it, you’re tired of living? / Life is short, it is often hard
It sure is, but drink the light, the water, the wine / Drink the anger, the sorrows / You know it well, everything fades, everything passes
What? You dream of being someone else? / Oh! What do others have best? / Everyone has their own life, everyone only has their own life
And even if you think you've hit rock bottom / You owe it to yourself to hold on / A fountain of joy / Whispers within you
The voice/piano demos of the French versions were recorded for the strict purpose of presenting my adaptation work. No broadcasting or public sharing on social networks, media or any other platform is authorized.
Any recording or public presentation by third parties of the songs in their French version is subject to my authorization as well as that of the rights holders of the original song.
