☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics describe the value of a single coin, a sou.
- It is emphasized that a single sou is not very useful and is not enough to take the bus or the subway.
- The text poses the question of what can be done with a single sou and notes that one cannot even buy a piece of bread.
- Although the sou has little value, it is considered as a possibility to dream.
- The song lyrics encourage reflection on the material value of money and the significance of small amounts of money.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Je n'ai qu'un sou" by
Charles Aznavour describe the meaning and value of a single coin, namely a sou (an old French currency unit). The singer emphasizes that he only has one sou and that this sou is not worth much. He describes it as a small round coin with a hole in it.
The lyrics pose the question of what can be done with a single sou. The singer notes that this amount is not enough to take the bus or the subway. Therefore, he has to walk (pédibus). It is emphasized that a single sou is not very useful.
The lyrics also mention that the singer can't even buy a piece of bread because he doesn't have enough money. If he gives his sou to a beggar, it is likely that the beggar will not take him seriously.
Although the sou has little value, it is seen as a possibility to dream. The singer says that he can imagine that the sou has more significance in his dreams than in reality.
The lyrics end with the thought that it might be better not to know what can be done with a single sou. It is suggested that sometimes it is easier to accept uncertainty than to worry about the value of a small coin.
Overall, the lyrics express the importance of money and the relative value of small amounts of money. They encourage reflection on material value and raise the question of whether it really matters how much money one possesses.