Escale

Édith Piaf's song 'Escale' is a poignant narrative of a brief, passionate encounter between the singer and a sailor. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a seaside town, where the sky is blue, and the sea is green, setting a serene yet melancholic backdrop for the story. The recurring line, 'Le ciel est bleu la mer est verte, laisse un peu la f´nêtre ouverte,' suggests a longing to keep the memory of this fleeting romance alive, symbolized by leaving the window open to the elements.

The song describes the singer meeting a sailor in a disreputable bar during a stopover in a northern port. Despite the rough surroundings, she is immediately captivated by him. The sailor, who is described as simple and unpretentious, takes her by the hand and leads her to his modest room overlooking the port. This setting, with its dim gaslight and the sounds of drunken sailors outside, contrasts sharply with the tender and intimate moment they share. The sailor's kiss leaves a lasting impression on her, symbolizing a deep, albeit brief, connection.

As dawn breaks, the sailor leaves to rejoin his comrades, and the singer watches him board his ship, which eventually gets lost at sea. The final lines of the song shift the imagery to a more somber tone, with the sky turning gray and the sea becoming bleak, reflecting the singer's sense of loss and the end of their ephemeral romance. 'Escale' captures the essence of a transient yet impactful love affair, highlighting themes of longing, impermanence, and the bittersweet nature of fleeting connections.