☝️ Key Points
- The song tells of a last dance event and the protagonist's decision to stay and dance with her lover.
- The words 'C'était la dernière valse' (It was the last waltz) emphasize the importance of the song.
- The lyrics evoke the happy times when the protagonist and her partner loved each other more and more.
- The song describes the turn in the relationship when the lover leaves the protagonist and their last waltz comes to an end.
- The message of the song is that life is unpredictable, but the memory of the happy moments remains.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'La Dernière Valse' by
Mireille Mathieu tell the story of a last dance event. The protagonist is faced with the decision of whether to go or stay. She sees the one she loves pass by her and decides to stay and dance with him. The words 'C'était la dernière valse' convey the meaning of the song.
The first verse describes how the ball is nearing its end and the protagonist's decision to stay when the orchestra plays the last song. The lyrics say: 'Le bal allait bientôt se terminer, Devais-je m'en aller ou bien rester? L'orchestre allait jouer le tout dernier morceau, Quand je t'ai vu passer près de moi' (The ball would soon come to an end, Should I leave or should I stay? The orchestra would play the very last piece, When I saw you pass by me).
In the second verse, the significance of the last waltz is emphasized. It is said: 'C'était la dernière valse, Mon cœur n'était plus sans amour, Ensemble cette valse, Nous l'avons dansée pour toujours' (It was the last waltz, My heart was no longer without love, Together we danced this waltz forever). The protagonist remembers the happy times when she and her partner loved each other more and more and experienced the joys and pains of life together.
In the last verse, the twist in the relationship is described as the loved one's eyes change and he leaves her. The lyrics say: 'Et puis un jour j'ai vu changer tes yeux, Tu as brisé mon cœur en disant 'adieu'' (And then one day I saw your eyes change, You broke my heart by saying 'goodbye'). The protagonist is left alone and her last waltz ends.
The lyrics convey the message that life is sometimes unpredictable and things don't always end as we wish. However, the memory of the happy moments remains and the hope that the last waltz could have lasted forever.