Le P'tit Bonheur

It was a little happiness
That I had picked up
He was in tears
On the edge of a ditch
When he saw me passing by
He started to shout
Sir, pick me up
Take me home

My brothers have forgotten me, I've fallen, I'm sick
If you don't pick me up, I'll die, what a ballad!
I'll make myself small, tender, and submissive, I swear to you
Sir, I beg you, deliver me from my torture

I took the little happiness
Put it under my rags
I said: It mustn't die
Come into my house
Then the little happiness
Healed itself
On the edge of my heart
There was a song

My days, my nights, my sorrows, my grief, my pain, all was forgotten
My idle life, I was disgusted with starting it again
When it rained outside or when my friends upset me
I took my little happiness and said to it: You are my queen

My happiness blossomed
It budded
It was paradise
It showed on my forehead
Now one beautiful morning
When I was whistling this refrain
My happiness is gone
Without holding my hand

I begged him, cajoled him, made scenes
Showing him the big hole he made deep in my heart
He always left, head held high, without joy, without hatred
As if he could no longer see the Sun in my home

I thought I would die
Of sorrow and boredom
I had stopped laughing
It was always night
I was left with oblivion
I was left with contempt
Finally I said to myself
I am left with the life

I took up my staff, my grief, my sorrows, and my rags
And I tread the land of the unfortunate
Today, when I see a fountain or a girl
I take a big detour or I close my eyes
I take a big detour or I close my eyes