'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' Psalms 34:18
This is a beautiful love song. La Vie En Rose literally means life in pink. It can be translated as life in rosy hues and or life seen through happy lenses. I was drawn to its tune and lyrics but even more so to the French singer and composer of this song, Édith Piaf.
Her life was very tragic. Edith was called la môme, the orphan sparrow, reflecting her difficult childhood of extreme poverty. Her mother, a café singer, abandoned her at birth, and she was taken in by her grandmother, who brought up the young girl in a brothel. Piaf became blind at age three, a complication of meningitis, but recovered her sight four years later. A few years after that she joined her father, a circus acrobat, accompanied him wherever he performed and sang in the streets of Paris eking a meagre living.
Later in life Edith Piaf was involved in several serious car accidents. She suffered from failing health, due partly, to alcohol and drug abuse. She died young, aged 47 years, from lung cancer.
Her death was mourned internationally and in France, thousands lined the route of her funeral procession. She was able to move audiences with her passionate rendition of songs of love and loss with her unadorned but unique sultry voice.
Edith Piaf led a tragic life, yet this song of life seen in happy hues gave no hint of her unfortunate circumstances. Furthermore, this song was composed by her in the final years of World War 2. It was a statement refusing to acknowledge the ravages of war but instead expressing a hope for a better age. No wonder this song is far more than a hit; it is honoured by some as the unofficial national anthem of the French.
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
When you kiss me heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Everyday words seem
To turn into love songs
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose
This song, its lyrics and the circumstances surrounding its composition, reminds us that life can be lived optimistically in spite of difficulties and tragedies. Such an attitude can help us through the most difficult times. Indeed it can help us journey the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the same way, St Paul wrote to encourage Christians:
'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.'
2 Corinthians 4:8,9.
Similarly, King David was pursued relentlessly twice in his lifetime, at first by King Saul and then by his own son, Absalom. He wrote many Psalms of his plight but he never buckled under his circumstances; he always hoped in God to deliver him from his enemies.
'Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord'.' Psalm 31:24
'For You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.' Psalm 71:5
Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.' Psalms 42:5
Instead of being downcast we can remain optimistic through bleak times. Remember the old Sunday School Song?
That's the way to live successfully
How do I know?
The Bible tells me so.
Life is not always a bed of roses but it should always be seen through rosy hues, La Vie En Rose!
Lionel
