There is a stereotype that “France is famous for its chansonniers”. The French themselves do not seem to be flattered by that compliment.
–Mais c’est la radio de ma grand-mère! (But that’s my granny’s radio!) – this is what a young Frenchman will most probably exclaim and grin in disdain if you turn on, say, Edith Piaf.
Today’s French stage is rich in independent performers, and most mingle rock, variété and jazz with “jeu de mots”, word game.
Debout sur le zinc, lit. “Up on the zinc“, means “Dancing on the bar counter (zinc surface usually)”, are very cynical in treating the wounds caused by love, they laugh where an average person is supposed to drown in weeping.
Et la cheminée est bien bouchée
Même la chatière je l’ai scellée
Fallait pas revenir maint’nant je n’vais plus t’laisser partir.
(I sealed the chimney and the cat hole, and it was a bad idea to come back, I can’t let ya go now…)
La Rue Ketanou is the word game itself: “La rue qui est à nous“, “The street which is ours“. Untranslatable word games, usually. And political sarcasm, sure.
Des gros mots, pour les grossistes.
Des maux de tête, pour les charlatans.
Des jeux de mots, pour les artistes.
Des mots d’amour, pour les amants.
Des mot à mot, pour les copieurs.
Des mots pour mots, pour les cafteurs.
Des mots savants, pour les emmerdeurs.
Des mobylettes, pour les voleurs!
Try cracking the nut and test your French.
English titles: Debout sur le zinc “It Was a Bad Idea to Come Back”
La Rue Ketanou “Words”
Original titles (French): Debout sur le zinc “Fallait pas”
La Rue Ketanou “Les mots”
First published in the Levinarium Telegram Channel (now closed and deleted)