Meaning of 'Dans ma rue'

by Edith Piaf

Interpretation

The lyrics of the song "Dans ma rue" by Edith Piaf tell the story of a girl who lives in a poor neighborhood in Montmartre. Her father is drunk every night and her mother works hard at the laundry to support the family. The girl is sick and dreams while looking out the window. She observes the people passing by and is afraid of some things that scare her.

In her street, there are people whispering in the night and when she is lulled to sleep by a song, she is suddenly awakened by screams. There are whistles and footsteps going back and forth, then silence that frightens her. She is afraid of the shadows walking in her street and she trembles and is scared.

One day, her father tells her that she can't just stay there without doing anything. He tells her she is pretty and can earn money by going out on the street at night. There are women who make a living that way.

In her street, she hears those women humming at night. When she is lulled to sleep by a song, she is suddenly awakened by screams. There are whistles and footsteps going back and forth, then silence that frightens her.

Finally, the girl has no home or money. She doesn't know how others manage, but she couldn't find clients. She begs for alms from the people passing by to get a piece of bread and some warmth. Although she doesn't have much courage, now the others are afraid of her.

Every evening, she walks through her street and she can be heard sobbing in the night. When the wind throws its song into the sky, her whole body is penetrated by the cold of the rain.

But she can't take it anymore, she waits for God to come and invite her to warm up with him. In her street, there are angels who take her away, and her nightmare is over forever.