In that City, I really meant

To get fit and to settle ;

Over there, I only met

People looking so gentle !

Some bright front,

Short cut lawn ;

« From now you won't

Worry in Lovetown ! »

Then I packed my bags and therefore I came.

My religion wasn't theirs and it had no name.

Even quiet,

My line of action

Didn't get

Them satisfaction.

So they said : « Stay. Stay with us.

We promise to Love you unless

Something's wrong : but why'd it be ? »

Their face looked too smooth to me,

And I said : « Why ? Why should I

Change to be like you ? » Their eye

Answered : « 'Cause you're in the City of Love.

— Well ! I said : Is there only one way to love ? »

Then I saw it when it came :

Their hatred and hidden shame ;

They claimed : « Stay with us. You can stay

If you want. We will Love you and pray

So long, so much and so hard for you

That you'll end up Loving as we do. »

Since then, the wind blows

– A sad wind of loneliness –

From many stones or windows

Discontent eyes of madness

Are spying...

                            O terrible City !

Give me back my liberty !

Your great Love only demands

Narrow minds and closed hands !

Then I took my belongings back

And so I left, into the dark,

The clean streets and roads of tar,

Sharpened bushes – and I walked far.

But since then, nowhere I can settle down,

Nowhere with men and roofs above,

Because on the entrance of every town

It's written : City... City of Love.