Plaisir D'amour

1. Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment,
chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.

2. J'ai tout quitté pour l'ingrate Sylvie,
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant.

Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment,
chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.

3. "Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie.”

4. “Je t'aimerai", me répétait Sylvie,
l'eau coule encor, elle a changé pourtant.


1. The joys of love 
are but a moment long
The pain of love endures 
The whole life long

2. Your eyes kissed mine, 
I saw the love in them shine
You brought me heaven right then 
When your eyes kissed mine.

3. My love loves me, 
and all thy wonders I see
The rainbow shines in my window, 
My love loves me

4. And now he's gone 
like a dream that fades into dawn
But the words stay 
locked in my heartstrings, 
My love loves me

A classical French song of love lost by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, also from 1784; with text from a poem by Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian.  The English version made popular by Joan Baez and others is not a direct translation. The melody for Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1961) was based on this tune.  That song has become very popular at weddings, but the French know that it’s really a very sad song.