as i sit silent, i reflect on my recent experiences in lebanon.  and though my thoughts remain dimmed and disoriented, in some sort of schizophrenic fervor, my senses heighten and align when yann tiersen’s la rade floats to my ears.

a rough translation of the french lyrics reveals what i already felt through the universal language of music.  it’s not far off from what i felt, walking the streets of beirut, saida, sour, trablous.

la rade (listen)

the bay

by yann tiersen

i see us all sitting in front
but the shoulders fell within
with all eyes in tears before
and it cracks and it crève boredom
i see us all in limbo
and escaping the cold , we feel
as immobile in bed, sleeping
and life slowly ebbs away

i dream we all stand before
descending into the city, walking
you take, you see inside
in the heart, the anger of the people
there standing in front of the bay
once before, the wind coming from the west
you take, you see it now
in the heart, the anger of the people

standing there, and the sea front
in front and the waves coming
you’ll take it, inside you cry
in the body, the revolt of the people

standing there, and the sea front
in front and the waves coming
you’ll take it, inside you cry
in the body, the revolt of the people