Je n'ai pas vu le temps passer [English translation]

The deeper I plunge into my life

The more I can only observe

That in the light wind of my follies

I didn't see the time go by

Between the sheets of childhood

When I was sound asleep

To the clock of my weaknesses

I didn't see the time go by

I didn't see time running

I didn't hear the bell.

The hours of my becoming

When I was running headlong

Towards what seemed to be a future

And now is already in the past

To the thousand questions that arise

My mind is oftentimes disturbed

Only one answer is required

I didn't see the time go by

Going around myself

Within a very limited range

In the mirror of my "I love you."

I didn't see the time go by

And from opening to opening

At the tempo of hurried love

I must have skiped a couple of steps

I didn't see the time go by

When I dreamed with my eyes open

Thinking that I had the time

I didn't undertake the third

of the things I talked about so much

And I've seen winter settle

In the madness of my twenties

And then suddenly middle age

The half-century consumed

At the table of my youthful mischief

By the time the bets are off

That all my chips are down

I can only say with regret

I didn't see the time go by