Si jamais j'oublie – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

• By: ZAZ
• Album: Isa

Lyrics & Translation

Discover "Si jamais j'oublie" by Zaz, a song that beautifully captures the essence of cherishing memories and staying true to oneself. Through its evocative lyrics and heartfelt melody, you can connect with the French language by exploring themes of remembrance and gratitude.

[English]

Remind me of the day and year

Remind me of what the weather was like

And if I’ve forgotten

You can shake me

And if I feel like walking away

Lock me up and throw away the key

As a reminder shot

Tell me, what's my name?

If I ever forget

The nights I've spent

Guitars and screams

Remind me who I am

Why I am alive

...

If I ever forget

Running with my legs to my neck

If one day I run away

Remind me who I am

What I promised myself

...

Remind me of my wildest dreams

Remind me of those tears on my cheeks

And if I’ve forgotten

How much I loved to sing

If I ever forget

The nights I’ve spent

Guitars and screams

Remind me who I am

Why I am alive

...

If I ever forget

Running with my legs to my neck

If one day I run away

Remind me who I am

What I promised myself

...

Remind me who I am

If I ever forget

Running with my legs to my neck

If one day I run away

Remind me who I am

What I promised myself

...

If I ever forget

The nights I’ve spent

Guitars and screams

Remind me who I am

Why I am alive

...

Remind me of the day and year

...

[French]

Rappelle-moi le jour et l'année

Rappelle-moi le temps qu'il faisait

Et si j'ai oublié

Tu peux me secouer

Et s'il me prend l'envie de m'en aller

Enferme-moi et jette la clé

En piqûre de rappel

Dis comment je m'appelle?

Si jamais j'oublie

Les nuits que j'ai passées

Les guitares et les cris

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Pourquoi je suis en vie

Si jamais j'oublie

Les jambes à mon cou

Si un jour je fuis

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Ce que je m'étais promis

Rappelle-moi mes rêves les plus fous

Rappelle-moi ces larmes sur mes joues

Et si j'ai oublié

Combien j'aimais chanter

Si jamais j'oublie

Les nuits que j'ai passées

Les guitares et les cris

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Pourquoi je suis en vie

Si jamais j'oublie

Les jambes à mon cou

Si un jour je fuis

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Ce que je m'étais promis

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Si jamais j'oublie

Les jambes à mon cou

Si un jour je fuis

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Ce que je m'étais promis

Si jamais j'oublie

Les nuits que j'ai passées

Les guitares et les cris

Rappelle-moi qui je suis

Pourquoi je suis en vie

Rappelle-moi le jour et l'année

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rappelle /ʁapɛl/ B1	verb - to remind
oubli(e) /ubli/ B1	noun/verb - forget / forgotten
jour /ʒuʁ/ A1	noun - day
année /ane/ A2	noun - year
temps /tɑ̃/ A2	noun - time / weather
olvidé /uvlidi/ B2	verb - I forgot
secouer /səkue/ B1	verb - to shake
envie /ɑ̃vi/ B1	noun - desire / urge
en aller /ɑ̃ ale/ B2	phrase - to go away / to leave
clé /kle/ A2	noun - key
délivrer /delivʁe/ B2	verb - to deliver / to set free
moi /mwa/ A1	pronoun - me / myself
passées /pase/ A2	adjective/verb - passed / spent
cries /kʁi/ A2	noun/verb - cries / crying
passer /pase/ B1	verb - to pass / to spend time

Key Grammar Structures

• Si jamais j'oublie

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Si + Imparfait + Conditionnel Présent/Futur Simple)

  ➔ This uses the 'si' clause to express a hypothetical situation. "Si" + the imperfect subjunctive (which is formed using the imparfait here as 'j'oublie' is replaced with 'j'oubliais') and the main clause is in the conditional present.

• Rappelle-moi le jour et l'année

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ "Rappelle-moi" is a direct command. The verb "rappeler" is conjugated in the imperative mood (second person singular, without the subject pronoun "tu").

• Et si j'ai oublié

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Si + Passé Composé + Futur Simple/Imperative)

  ➔ This uses the 'si' clause again, but this time with the *passé composé*, indicating a completed action in the past that has a consequence in the present or future. The main clause would either be in the *futur simple* or the *imperative* mood.

• Tu peux me secouer

  ➔ Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive

  ➔ The verb "pouvoir" (can, to be able to) is used as a modal verb followed by the infinitive "secouer" (to shake). It expresses permission or possibility.

• Enferme-moi et jette la clé

  ➔ Two imperative verbs connected by 'et'

  ➔ This line contains two imperative verbs: "Enferme-moi" (lock me up) and "jette la clé" (throw away the key). They are connected by the conjunction 'et' indicating a sequence of actions.

• Dis comment je m'appelle?

  ➔ Indirect Question

  ➔ This is an indirect question introduced by the verb 'dis' (tell). Instead of the direct question "Comment est-ce que je m'appelle?", it uses the structure 'dis + question word + subject + verb'.

• Pourquoi je suis en vie

  ➔ Subordinate clause introduced by 'pourquoi'

  ➔ Here, "pourquoi je suis en vie" functions as a noun clause acting as the object of the implied verb "Rappelle-moi" (Remember/Tell me) from the previous lines. 'Pourquoi' introduces the reason or purpose.

• Ce que je m'étais promis

  ➔ Relative Pronoun 'ce que'

  ➔ 'Ce que' is a relative pronoun that functions as the object of the verb "promis" (promised). It refers to something that was promised.