Sous le ciel de Paris – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

• By: ZAZ, PABLO ALBORAN
• Album: Paris

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a French musical journey with "Sous le ciel de Paris" by ZAZ and Pablo Alborán. This classic chanson, with its poetic lyrics and beautiful melody, offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the French language and the romantic atmosphere of Paris. Learning the song can help you grasp French pronunciation and vocabulary related to love, city life, and emotions, all while enjoying a modern take on a timeless masterpiece.

[English]

Under the sky of Paris, a song takes flight

Hum Hum

It was born today deep in a boy’s heart

Under the sky of Paris, lovers walk side by side

Hum Hum

Their happiness is built on a tune made for them

Under the Bercy Bridge

A philosopher sits quietly

Two musicians, some spectators, then thousands of people

Under the sky of Paris, they’ll sing until the evening

Hum Hum

The anthem of a people in love with their ancient city

Near Notre Dame

Sometimes a tragedy stirs

Yes, but in Paris

Everything can be made right

A few rays of summer sky

A sailor’s accordion

Hope blooms anew

Under the sky of Paris

Under the sky of Paris, a joyful river flows

Hum Hum

It puts the homeless and the destitute to sleep at night

Under the sky of Paris, God’s birds

Hum Hum

Come from all around the world to chat and share

And the sky of Paris

Keeps its secret deep inside

For twenty centuries, it’s been smitten with our Île Saint-Louis

When she smiles at him, he puts on his blue coat

...

Hum Hum

When it rains in Paris, it’s because it’s feeling sad

When it’s too jealous of its millions of lovers

It thunders fiercely over them

...

But the sky of Paris isn’t cruel for long

To ask for forgiveness

It offers a rainbow

...

[French]

Sous le ciel de Paris s"envole une chanson

Hum Hum

Elle est née d'aujourd'hui dans le cœur d'un garcon

Sous le ciel de Paris marchent des amoureux

Hum Hum

Leur bonheur se construit sur un air fait pour eux

Sous le pont de Bercy

Un philosophe assis

Deux musiciens, quelques badauds puis des gens par milliers

Sous le ciel de Paris jusqu'au soir vont chanter

Hum Hum

L'hymne d'un peuple épris de sa vieille cité

Près de Notre Dame

Parfois couve un drame

Oui mais à Paname

Tout peut s'arranger

Quelques rayons du ciel d'été

L'accordéon d'un marinier

L'espoir fleurit

Au ciel de Paris

Sous le ciel de Paris coule un fleuve joyeux

Hum Hum

Il endort dans la nuit les clochards et les gueux

Sous le ciel de Paris les oiseaux du Bon Dieu

Hum Hum

Viennent du monde entier pour bavarder entre eux

Et le ciel de Paris

À son secret pour lui

Depuis 20 siècles il est épris de notre Île Saint-Louis

Quand elle lui sourit, il met son habit bleu

Hum Hum

Quand il pleut sur Paris, c'est qu'il est malheureux

Quand il est trop jaloux de ses millions d'amants

Il fait gronder sur eux son tonnerre éclatant

Mais le ciel de Paris n'est pas longtemps cruel

Pour se faire pardonner

Il offre un arc en ciel

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ciel /sjɛl/ A1	noun - sky
chanson /ʃɑ̃.sɔ̃/ A1	noun - song
amoureux /a.mu.ʁø/ A2	noun - lovers
bonheur /bɔ.nœʁ/ B1	noun - happiness
philosophe /fi.lɔ.zɔf/ B2	noun - philosopher
musicien /my.zi.sjɛ̃/ B1	noun - musician
espoir /ɛs.pwaʁ/ B1	noun - hope
fleuve /flœv/ B2	noun - river
tonnerre /tɔ.nɛʁ/ B2	noun - thunder
arc-en-ciel /aʁ.kɑ̃.sjɛl/ B2	noun - rainbow
jaloux /ʒa.lu/ B2	adjective - jealous
malheureux /ma.lø.ʁø/ B2	adjective - unhappy
sourire /su.ʁiʁ/ B1	verb - to smile
chanter /ʃɑ̃.te/ A2	verb - to sing
arranger /a.ʁɑ̃.ʒe/ B1	verb - to arrange

Key Grammar Structures

• Elle est née d'aujourd'hui dans le cœur d'un garçon

  ➔ Present tense with 'être' + past participle to form the passive voice

  ➔ This structure is used to describe the state of being or origin, emphasizing the action's effect on the subject.

• marchent des amoureux

  ➔ Present tense of 'marcher' to describe habitual or ongoing action

  ➔ Used to describe actions that happen regularly or are currently happening.

• ils sont épris de notre Île Saint-Louis

  ➔ Adjective 'épris' used with 'être' to describe a state of being enamored or passionately fond of something

  ➔ This structure combines a stative adjective with the verb 'être' to express emotional or passionate states.

• quand il pleut sur Paris, c'est qu'il est malheureux

  ➔ Conditional clause with 'quand' and present tense, followed by a conclusion using 'c'est que'

  ➔ This structure expresses a cause-and-effect relationship based on conditions, with an explanation introduced by 'c'est que'.

• Il endort dans la nuit les clochards et les gueux

  ➔ Use of the verb 'endormir' in the present tense with a direct object to indicate causing sleep

  ➔ The verb 'endormir' here is used transitively with a direct object, meaning to cause someone to sleep.

• il met son habit bleu

  ➔ Verb 'mettre' in present tense + possessive pronoun + noun to describe putting on or wearing something

  ➔ Used to express putting on or wearing an item, with 'mettre' indicating act of placement or wearing.