En Melody – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

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

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Serge Gainsbourg's "En Melody" and unlock a masterclass in French lyrical artistry and musical storytelling. This track, part of his iconic concept album "Histoire de Melody Nelson," offers a unique opportunity to experience French as a language of profound emotion, suggestive nuance, and poetic drama. What makes it special is its fusion of spoken-word intimacy with lush, innovative orchestration, creating a rich soundscape that transcends language barriers while inviting listeners to explore the depths of its French narrative. Through its unique blend of funk, rock, and classical elements, you'll discover how French can be both intensely personal and grandly cinematic, making it an enthralling journey for any language learner.

[English]

Melody wanted to see the sky over Sunderland again

She boarded the 707

The nighttime cargo plane

But the autopilot, in control of the aircraft,

Made a fatal mistake for Melody

...

[French]

Melody voulut revoir le ciel de Sunderland

Elle prit le 707

L'avion cargo de nuit

Mais le pilote automatique aux commandes de l'appareil

Fit une erreur fatale à Melody

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Melody Melody A2	noun - Melody (proper name)
voulut voulut C1	verb - wanted (simple past of vouloir, literary)
revoir revoir A2	verb - to see again, to revisit
ciel ciel A1	noun - sky
Sunderland Sunderland B1	noun - Sunderland (city in England)
prit prit B1	verb - took (simple past of prendre)
avion avion A2	noun - airplane
cargo cargo B1	noun - cargo, freight
nuit nuit A1	noun - night
pilote pilote A2	noun - pilot
automatique automatique B2	adjective - automatic
commandes commandes B2	noun - controls, commands
appareil appareil B2	noun - device, aircraft (contextual)
fit fit C1	verb - did, made (simple past of faire, literary)
erreur erreur A2	noun - mistake, error
fatale fatale B2	adjective - fatal, deadly

Key Grammar Structures

• Melody voulut revoir le ciel de Sunderland

  ➔ Past tense with 'vouloir'

  ➔ The verb 'voulut' is the past tense of 'vouloir', indicating a completed action in the past. It highlights Melody's desire to see the sky of Sunderland again.

• Elle prit le 707

  ➔ Past tense with 'prendre'

  ➔ The verb 'prit' is the past tense of 'prendre', showing that Melody took the 707 plane. It is a simple past action.

• L'avion cargo de nuit

  ➔ Definite article with noun

  ➔ The definite article 'l'' is used before 'avion' to specify a particular plane, the night cargo plane. It defines the noun specifically.

• Fit une erreur fatale à Melody

  ➔ Past tense with 'faire'

  ➔ The verb 'fit' is the past tense of 'faire', indicating that the autopilot made a fatal error concerning Melody. It emphasizes the consequence of the action.