Translation of the song lyrics La ballade du chien loup - Nana Mouskouri

La ballade du chien loup (original)

Priez pour le pauvre chien-loup
Sa louve est partie
Il la cherche comme un fou
De fermes en prairies
Mais le fleuve est en crue
Et les routes inondées
La terre a disparu
Et les ponts sont tombés
Il a perdu sa trace
Et il va n’importe où
C’est partout l’impasse
L’absence est partout
Et les grillons lui brisent
Le cœur de leur chant
Son courage s’enlise
Dans le soleil couchant
Il croit l’apercevoir
Par-dessus les fougères
Traversant le soir
De sa course légère
Mais oui c’est bien elle
Son allure un peu folle
Ses façons de gazelle
On dirait qu’elle vole
Elle est là toute proche
C’est bien son odeur
Il tourne il s’accroche
A son ancien bonheur
Et le jour se lève
Il ne l’a pas trouvée
Excepté en rêve
Il s’endort épuisé
Priez pour le pauvre chien-loup
Sa louve est partie
Il la cherche comme un fou
De fermes en prairies
Mais le matin est froid
Et son cœur s'éveille
Battant plus qu’autrefois
Mais moins fort que la veille
Soudain elle est là
Au bord du chemin
Elle ne regarde pas
Son compagnon lointain
Il se couche près d’elle
Il lui fait la cour
Et ses bons yeux fidèles
Lui demandent l’amour
Priez pour le pauvre chien-loup
Sa louve est revenue
Le collier autour du cou
Mais le cœur n’y est plus
Elle a couru le monde
Connu la liberté
Les journées sont plus longues
Quand on est attaché
Et il la regarde
Tout en sachant trop bien
Qu’il est un chien de garde
Qui ne garde plus rien
Qui leur a mis la laisse?
D’où vient leur servitude?
L’amour ou la faiblesse
Le maître ou l’habitude
Priez pour le pauvre chien-loup
Sa louve est partie
Il la cherche comme un fou
De fermes en prairies
Mais le fleuve est en crue
Et les routes inondées
La terre a disparu
Et les ponts sont tombés
Il a perdu sa trace
Et il va n’importe où
C’est partout l’impasse
L’absence est partout
Et les grillons lui brisent
Le cœur de leur chant
Son courage s’enlise
Dans le soleil couchant
Lalala lalala

(translation)

Pray for the poor wolfdog
His wolf is gone
He's looking for her like crazy
From farms to meadows
But the river is in flood
And the flooded roads
The earth is gone
And the bridges fell
He lost his track
And he goes anywhere
It's a dead end everywhere
Absence is everywhere
And the crickets smash him
The heart of their song
His courage sinks
Into the setting sun
He thinks he sees her
over the ferns
Crossing the evening
Of his light course
But yes it is her
His somewhat crazy look
Her Gazelle Ways
Looks like she's flying
She's there very close
It's her smell
It spins it clings
To his former happiness
And the day breaks
He didn't find her
Except in dreams
He falls asleep exhausted
Pray for the poor wolfdog
His wolf is gone
He's looking for her like crazy
From farms to meadows
But the morning is cold
And her heart awakens
Beating more than before
But less strong than the day before
Suddenly there she is
By the roadside
She doesn't look
His distant companion
He lies down next to her
He woos her
And his faithful good eyes
ask him for love
Pray for the poor wolfdog
His wolf has returned
The necklace around the neck
But the heart is gone
She ran the world
Known freedom
The days are longer
When we're tied
And he looks at her
While knowing too well
That he's a watchdog
Who no longer keeps anything
Who put the leash on them?
Where does their bondage come from?
love or weakness
The Master or Habit
Pray for the poor wolfdog
His wolf is gone
He's looking for her like crazy
From farms to meadows
But the river is in flood
And the flooded roads
The earth is gone
And the bridges fell
He lost his track
And he goes anywhere
It's a dead end everywhere
Absence is everywhere
And the crickets smash him
The heart of their song
His courage sinks
Into the setting sun
Lalala lalala