The Blower’s Daughter / On en est là
The Blower’s Daughter: Damien Rice’s fans argue about whether this refers to the daughter of his clarinet teacher or the daughter of a woman he met at a call center where he worked... Regardless, in this song – at least in the mind of the man who fell in love with her – she is the one who can easily come to terms with the end of the relationship, who believes it’s for the best; the one who never thought it would go any further; the one who suffers the least between the two.
On en est là : the song in French begins with the same expression of chagrin as in English: « on en est là »/“and so it is”; the same observation of a relationship that’s coming to an end – or that’s destined to –, the same romantic dynamic between one person’s own overwhelming feelings and the lesser pain of turning the page for the other. In the English version, the chorus is but an obsessive repetition of a single phrase; I did almost the same in French, with the aim of capturing the despair and stubborn sadness of the ignored, abandoned and dumped lover.
The Blower’s Daughter
Written by
Damien Rice
(him)
And so it is / Just like you said it would be / Life goes easy on me / Most of the time / And so it is / The shorter story / No love, no glory / No hero in her sky
I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes…
And so it is / Just like you said it should be / We’ll both forget the breeze / Most of the time / And so it is / The colder water / The Blower's Daughter / The pupil in denial
I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes off of you / I can't take my eyes…
(her)
Tell me / Did I say that I loathe you? / Did I say that I want to / Leave it all behind?
(him)
I can't take my mind off of you / I can't take my mind off of you / I can't take my mind off of you / I can't take my mind off of you / I can't take my mind off of you / I can't take my mind / My mind, my mind / ’Til I find somebody new
On en est là
French kiss by
François Godin
(lui)
On en est là / Je t'aime, tu flippes, je le vois / Toi, tu n'es pas de celles / Qui aiment trop / On en est là / Très peu pour toi / De te sentir des ailes / Pour mieux tomber de haut
Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer tes amours / Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer tes amours / Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer…
On en est là / Je t'aime, tu flippes, une croix / Sur notre amour, je ne suis / Qu’un numéro / On en est là / Trop rares les fois / Où l'on se voit, tu m'as pris / Des lambeaux de peau
Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer tes amours / Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer tes amours / Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer...
(elle)
Cesse / Qu’ai-je dit qui te blesse ? / Qu’ai-je dit qui te laisse / Croire à une fin ?
(lui)
Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer tes amours / Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer tes amours / Tu ne sais pas larguer les amarres / Tu ne fais que larguer… / À moins / À moins / Oui, oui… / Voyons-nous demain
And So It Is
Translation of the
French adaptation
(him)
And so it is / I love you, you're freaking out, I can see it / You are not one of those / Who love too much / And so it is / You’re not the type / To feel yourself growing wings / Only to fall from greater heights
You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of your loves / You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of your loves / You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of…
And so it is / I love you, you're freaking out, crossing out / Our love, I am / Only a number / And so it is / Too rare are the times / When we see each other, you took from me / Scraps of skin
You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of your loves / You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of your loves / You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of…
(her)
Stop / What did I say that hurt you? / What did I say that makes you / Believe it is over?
(him)
You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of your loves / You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of your loves You are incapable of giving in to love / You only know how to let go of… / Unless / Unless / Yes, yes… / Let’s see each other tomorrow
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.
