Translation of the song La morte artist Maurice Carême
La morte
The dead maiden
Il entendit la mort
He heard death standing
Derrière cette porte,
behind this closed door,
Il entendit la mort
he heard death talking
Parler avec la morte.
with the lifeless maiden.
Il savait que la porte
He knew the closed door
Était mal refermée
had been left ajar and
Et que, seule, la mort
only death would possess
En possédait la clé.
the key to unlock it.
Mais il aimait la morte
Yet he loved the maiden
Et quand il l’entendit,
and soon as he heard her1
Il marcha vers la porte
he walked toward the door,
Et l’ouvrit. Il ne vit
he opened it, and saw
Ni la mort ni la morte ;
neither death nor the girl.
Il entra dans la nuit
He stepped into darkness
Et doucement, la porte
and quietly the door
Se referma sur lui.
closed back behind him.