Ballade de Melody Nelson – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

• By: Serge Gainsbourg
• Album: Histoire de Melody Nelson

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a unique linguistic journey with Serge Gainsbourg's 'Ballade de Melody Nelson.' This iconic French pop song, celebrated for its poetic lyrics and sensual atmosphere, offers a rich opportunity to immerse yourself in the nuances of the French language. Through Gainsbourg's distinctive spoken-word style and evocative descriptions, you'll discover both the beauty of French expression and the provocative storytelling that makes this song a timeless masterpiece. Learning French through this track allows you to appreciate its cultural depth and the artistry behind its controversial yet influential narrative.

[English]

This is the story of (Melody Nelson)

That except for me, no one

Has never taken her in his arms

Does that surprise you?

But that’s how it is

...

She had love, poor Melody Nelson

Yeah, she had tons of it

But her days were numbered

14 autumns

And 15 summers

...

A little animal, that this (Melody Nelson)

...

An adorable tomboy

And such a sweet child

Whom I only knew for a moment

...

Oh, my Melody, my (Melody Nelson)

Nice little slut

You were the condition

Sine qua non

Of my reason

...

[French]

Ça, c'est l'histoire de (Melody Nelson)

Qu'à par moi-même personne

N'a jamais pris dans ses bras

Ça vous étonne?

Mais c'est comme ça

Elle avait d'l'amour, pauvre (Melody Nelson)

Ouais, elle en avait des tonnes

Mais ses jours étaient comptés

14 automnes

Et 15 étés

Un petit animal, que cette (Melody Nelson)

Une adorable garçonne

Et si délicieuse enfant

Que je n'ai connue qu'un instant

Oh, ma Melody, ma (Melody Nelson)

Aimable petite conne

Tu étais la condition

Sine qua non

De ma raison

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
histoire i.stwaʁ A1	noun - story
étonne e.tɔn A2	verb - surprises
amour a.muʁ A1	noun - love
comptés kɔ̃.te B1	verb - counted
automnes ɔ.tɔn A1	noun - autumns
étés e.te A1	noun - summers
animal a.ni.mal A1	noun - animal
adorable a.dɔ.ʁa.blə A2	adjective - adorable
garçonne ɡaʁ.sɔn B2	noun - tomboy
délicieuse de.li.sjøz A2	adjective - delicious
instant ɛ̃.stɑ̃ A2	noun - instant
aimable ɛ.mabl A2	adjective - friendly
conne kɔn B1	noun - fool
condition kɔ̃.di.sjɔ̃ B1	noun - condition
sine qua non sin.ə kwa nɔn C1	phrase - essential condition