La Nocturne — English translation

Tiakola · french → English

What "La Nocturne" means

A dark, observational portrait of Paris at night. The narrator wanders through the city and sees its contrasts: glamour and false beauty beside street dealing, poverty, danger and ruthless money-chasing. It mixes personal reflection, valuing family above all, with sharp social commentary. The mood is melancholic and sober, and references to Parisian places and street codes give it a strong local flavour.

J'ai vu la nuit, donc j'ai vu l'ennui
I saw the night, so I saw the emptiness
Comme une grande peinture à travers la vitre
Like a grand painting seen through a windowpane
Donc j'ai vu ces filles qui sortaient et pleuraient de joie
So I watched those girls going out and crying tears of joy
Et celles qui rêvent de rentrer et meurent de froid
And those who dream of going home while freezing to death

Quick answers

What does "La Nocturne" by Tiakola mean?

A dark, observational portrait of Paris at night. The narrator wanders through the city and sees its contrasts: glamour and false beauty beside street dealing, poverty, danger and ruthless money-chasing. It mixes personal reflection, valuing family above all, with sharp social commentary. The mood is melancholic and sober, and references to Parisian places and street codes give it a strong local flavour.

What language is "La Nocturne" sung in?

La Nocturne by Tiakola is sung in French.

Is there an English translation of "La Nocturne"?

Yes. Kemi has a line-by-line English translation of "La Nocturne" by Tiakola. The first lines are free to read on this page, and a free account unlocks the full translation.

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