SUBTITLES: French plus English
INTRODUCTION
In the seventies self-respecting bands used to to play long compositions, sometimes as long as could be fitted on one side of a LP-disc which is about 25 minutes.
Symphonic rockbands like Ange could compose music that could easily be 10 to 15 minutes in duration.
Records companies did not particularly like this practice for obvious reasons; because you could could not 'fit enough musicians in one hour of radio-broadcasting'.
Hence, the order was given that long compositions were over with and short pieces of music of about 3.5 minutes would do well.
So, most artists became hit-machines except for Ange, for example.
ANGE
In France the band Ange (meaning angel) produced progressive rock.
Outside France this band might not be so very well known.
Their lyrics are difficult - even to the French - because it's a kind of old-fashioned french.
Like from the 19th century. But that is exactly what is giving the music a somewhat poetic color.
The lyrics serve the music, not the other way around.
This piece 'Dignité' (dignity) is one of their masterpieces, performed live in Paris in 1977 (album Tome VI).
Berlioz would have been proud on his fellow countrymen from a century further into the future.
Provoqio subtitled the french lyrics (les paroles) and provided an english translation.
Still, it is fair to say that the lyrics might be a bit confusing, but the music is . . . . phantastique !
POETRY
In the interior of the album the following poetic verse - indicative for Ange's way of thinking - was printed:
Revenez au théâtre des 6 mille regards
Qui chante tous les soirs jusqu'au petit matin;
J'aime trop ce théâtre aux milles mémoires
Pour le laisser tout seul sans penser à demain. . .
- Christian DECAMPS
Indeed, some 6000 people could be fitted in the 'Palais des Sports à Paris'.
LINE-UP
Christian Décamps - lead vocals, piano, synthesizer, acoustic guitar
Daniel Haas - bass, acoustic guitar
Jean-Pierre Guichard - drums, percussion, harmonica, vocals
Jean-Michel Brézovar - guitar, flute, vocals
Francis Décamps - organ, synthesizer, mellotron
LYRICS - LES PAROLES ----------------
Ange - Dignité (1977)
À la mansarde de la tour
Grand chevalier est apparu
À la mansarde de la tour
Dame d'honneur montre son cul
Mais le respect, la dignité
Dame d'honneur qu'en faites-vous?
Oh ! le respect, Grand Majesté
Mon chevalier en a pour nous
Dame d'honneur et chevalier
Ont grand souci de société
Dame d'honneur et chevalier
Ont grand souci de société
Seigneur Gonzac, beau diplomate
A convoqué le parlement
En son état de longue date
Se réjouit au firmament
Seigneur Gonzac aime sa dame
Elle a le droit à la tutelle
Mais dès que veille gente dame
Seigneur réjouit quelque pucelle
Dame d'honneur et chevalier
Ont grand souci de société
Dame d'honneur et chevalier
Ont grand souci de société
Assis au pied du plus grand bois
Prêche au pauvre la chasteté
Un homme vêtu comme un Roi
Au visage d'humilité
Rendu le soir en son château
Il lève le masque en liberté
Et reçoit jeune Hobereau
Ecuyer du Roi des pédés
Dame d'honneur et chevalier
Ont grand souci de société
Dame d'honneur et chevalier
Ont grand souci de société
Écoute
Écoute
Tu es l'abeille
Je suis la fleur
Écoute
Écoute
Tu es l'abeille
Je suis la fleur
Écoute
Écoute
L'abeille
Je suis l'abeille
Tu es la fleur
La fleur
La fleur
La fleur
La fleur
- -
Written by Francis Décamps
TRANSLATION - ENGLISH ---------------
At the garret of the tower
Grand knight has appeared
At the garret of the tower
Lady of honour shows her ass
But respect, dignity
Lady of honour what do you do?
Oh ! Respect, Great Majesty
My knight has it for us
Lady of honour and knight
Have great concern for society
Lady of honour and knight
Have great concern for society
Lord Gonzac, handsome diplomat
Has convened the parliament
In his long-standing state
Rejoice in the firmament
Lord Gonzac loves his lady
She has the right to guardianship
But as soon as watches lady
Lord rejoices some maid
Lady of honour and knight
Have great concern for society
Lady of honour and knight
Have great concern for society
Sitting at the foot of the largest wood
Preach to the poor chastity
A man dressed like a king
In the face of humility
Rendering at night in his castle
He raises the mask in freedom
And receives young Hobereau
Squire of the King of Fags
Lady of honour and knight
Have great concern for society
Lady of honour and knight
Have great concern for society
Listen
Listen
You are the bee
I am the flower
Listen
Listen
You are the bee
I am the flower
Listen
Listen
The bee . . .
I am the bee
You are the flower
The flower
The flower
The flower
The flower
- -
Source LyricsTranslate.com
Adapted by A.Rasing