Clara By Jacques Brel: English Translation

Here’s my poetic translation of the 1961 song “Clara” by Jacques Brel…

I love you so, Clara
I love you so
I love you so, Clara
I love you so

At the carnival of Rio
You’re always the same
At the carnival of Rio
You never change

And, me I died in Paris
A long time ago
I died of boredom
Waiting for you

At the carnival of Rio
You always sing
At the carnival of Rio
But you can’t change a thing

Me, I died in Paris
But I still feel the same
I know you too well
But only by name

At the carnival of Rio
You always dance
At the carnival of Rio
I haven’t got a chance

I died in Paris
For being so wrong
I died feeling bruised
But still feeling strong

At the carnival of Rio
You can push me
At the carnival of Rio
You feel so free

I died in Paris
Shot with a flower
I died long ago
Drowned by your laughter

At the carnival of Rio
You always shout
At the carnival of Rio
I’m always struck out

I died in Paris
Where there are one million nights
One million lovers
One million fights

At the carnival of Rio
You might as well get pissed
At the carnival of Rio
I won’t be missed

Because I died in Paris
And I was buried there
For one million nights
I was drunk there

At the carnival of Rio
You’re always carnavaling
At the carnival of Rio
You can’t change a thing

Me, I died in Paris
And I went straight to hell
The Devil I met there
Speaks Espanol