Et l'amour s'en va

Joe Dassin's song 'Et l'amour s'en va' poignantly captures the ephemeral nature of love and the heartache that follows its departure. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a melancholic morning, where the protagonist feels lost and broken, akin to a discarded toy. This imagery sets the tone for the song, emphasizing the sense of abandonment and the emotional void left behind when love fades away.

The chorus underscores the inevitability of love's departure, likening it to an unstoppable hurricane or a wild horse running aimlessly. These metaphors highlight the uncontrollable and unpredictable nature of love, suggesting that no amount of prayer or effort can prevent its eventual disappearance. The repetition of the phrase 'Et l'amour est là, et l'amour s'en va' (And love is here, and love goes away) reinforces the transient quality of love, making it clear that its presence is as fleeting as its absence is painful.

Dassin also touches on the futility of trying to hold on to love once it has decided to leave. The lyrics speak to the exhaustion of searching for a hand that reaches elsewhere and the struggle to keep one's head above water when already so far from the boat. This metaphor of drowning in the absence of love conveys a deep sense of despair and helplessness. The song concludes with a reflection on the indifferent world that continues to exist despite the protagonist's personal loss, emphasizing the isolation and loneliness that often accompany the end of a romantic relationship.