Friedland (la jambe de bois)

Serge Gainsbourg's song "Friedland (la jambe de bois)" is a whimsical and satirical narrative that personifies a wooden leg in search of a purpose. The song begins with the wooden leg lamenting its lack of a partner, contemplating a dramatic end if it cannot find someone to appreciate it. This sets the stage for a humorous and metaphorical journey, as the leg hears the sound of a bugle and decides to head to the battlefield, hoping to find a soldier in need of its support.

On the battlefield, the wooden leg encounters a cannonball, which it tries to persuade to help it find a French officer in need of a leg. The leg's request is a clever play on the idea of finding a "situation" or purpose, as it seeks to replace a lost limb. The cannonball, however, is hesitant, recognizing the treasonous nature of the request. Despite its reservations, the cannonball agrees to help, only for the plan to go awry when the officer dodges the cannonball, resulting in his death.

The song concludes with the wooden leg and the cannonball facing a court martial, where the leg is sentenced to be permanently attached to the cannonball. This ironic twist highlights the futility and absurdity of their quest, as the leg sarcastically remarks on the irony of its situation. Gainsbourg's lyrics are rich with metaphor and humor, using the absurdity of the situation to comment on themes of purpose, identity, and the often unpredictable nature of life.