LOVERS FOR A DAY (LES AMANTS D'UN JOUR)

(Marguerite Monnot/ M. Senlis/ Delecluse/ R. French: Cinephonic Music Co. Ltd.-MCPS 1956)

Shine another glass, make the hours pass;
Working every day in a cheap café.
Who am I to care for a love affair?
Still I can't forget; I can see them yet.

They came hand in hand -why can't I forget?
For they'd seen the sign that said, "room to let".
The sunshine of love was deep in their eyes;
So young, oh so young: too young to be wise.

They walked to the place, a small hideaway;
A place of their own, if just for one day.

The walls were so bare, the carpets so thin;
But they took that room and heaven looked in.
Then I closed the door, and turned to depart,
With tears in my eyes and tears in my heart.

Shine another glass, make the hours pass;
Working every day in a cheap café.
Who am I to care? One more love affair.
Love is nothing new; I have work to do.

We found them next day, the way they had planned;
So quiet, so cold, but still hand in hand.
The sunshine of love was all they possessed,
And so in the sunshine we laid them to rest.

They sleep side by side, two children alone
But I'm sure they've found a place of their own.

So why must I see the ribbon she wore?
The glow on his face when I closed the door?
Be still, children, still! Your shadows may start
The tears in my eyes and tears in my heart.

Shine another glass, make the hours pass;
Working every day in a cheap café.
Everything is fine till I see that sign.
How can I forget? It says, "room to let".

As sung by the incomparable Edith Piaf.  This is a "singing version" rather than an accurate translation; I'll add the original French and a literal translation later on.