J'attendrai--Ketty--English subtitles

I fell in love with this beautiful song when it was first posted by 240252. When pastelblues asked for an English translation, I applied my meagre linguistic abilities and created this video using the same soundtrack.

The drawings are colorized versions of 1920s clipart, most from La Vie Parisienne. Except the last, which is all mine.

DISCLAIMER
I am only an amateur linguist, so if I've made any boners, tell me and I'll alter the video. At least I tried.

In an effort to let English speakers know what the original words meant, I've chosen to let some phrases sound clunky if "streamlining" them would have meant changing the meaning too much.

It would be fun to write an English version of the song. In my Googling I found four versions (the original Italian, plus German, Spanish and French) but no one seems to have done it in English.

I hope you like the video.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rina
• Ketty
• j'attendrai
• das
• boot
• 1920s
• 1930s

[GrenvilleT]

A great song of longing and desire. Almost unbearably poignant.

[smurfswacker]

Exactly right. I don't know why it affects me this way...I'm not pining over lost loves right now...but it evokes these emotions in me every time.

[yvonne1ful]

fantastic I have looked for this for years it was my mums favourite song for very personal sad reason thank you for the translation

[smurfswacker]

I'm glad to have helped you find the song. It seems to mean so much to so many people.

[user001989]

i'm a lyricist/singer and french speaker so i'll work on the lyric in English. great job! i love the clip art and your final piece.

[smurfswacker]

Please note me when you have an English lyric. I'd love to see/hear what you come up with.

[csibez]

This video is just awesome...you have

captures the passionate of the song

and expressed it thru your artwork .

Bravo!!!!!!

[missylulu]

gosh thank you sooo much for this version. makes me love the song even more cos now i actually understand wat it means. lol =)

[jerrysoh619]

A glass of wine and cigarette, to go with reminiscing of Paris, with you, starring in your eyes at the Champs Elysses, my dearest Karla, wherever you may be.... 

[yumyummoany]

Thank you so much for the French paroles and the English translation. I love this song.

[hectordegreg]

i agree with all the above . Thanks Smurfsmacker!!

Warmest,

Hx*

[ClassyOldMusic]

Thanks... I wish all the french/foreign youtubes had subtitles... I love this old time foreign music but don't understand the lyrics... the subtitles are fun and glue me to the video... I especially Love this song by Rina.

[BrionBoyles]

At last....and THANK YOU!

[limeberry7]

Thank you so much for posting! This is one of my favorite songs. I often sing it in the shower... ;)

[hovanti]

Truly, a song for anyone who has longed for a loved one far away...sad to think of those who bid goodbye to someone that never returned.

[albertpopwell]

Spot on that. Das Boot is one of my favourite productions and that song always gets to me, thanks for the translation, all makes total sense now.

[mozartgirls]

I like everything the French do.