h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is the help desk still open for business? I need some translation help.

It's a song and I need as literal translation as possible. Forget the poetry.

Si Tu Dois Partir

C'est pas que je te demande
De faire que tu n'as jamai fait
C'est seulement qui'il fait trop tard
Et il fait trop noir pour trouver la porte

Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Si non, tu dois rester la nuit

C'est pas que je te demande
De prendre part dans ce jeu
C'est seulement je n'ai pas de montre
Demande toujours le par contre

Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Si non, tu dois rester la nuit

Tu sais j'aurai été put mal
Et aussi mauvaise intentions
Si je t'empêche des le faire
Ce que vraiment tout espèrs

I hope somebody can help me...

Always open...

I'll post a rough translation by installments...

Back in a moment...

loup

Si Tu Dois Partir: If you must go [If you must leave]

C'est pas que je te demande
De faire que tu n'as jamai fait
C'est seulement qui'il fait trop tard
Et il fait trop noir pour trouver la porte

It's not that I'm asking you
To do what you've never done
It's only that it is too late
And it is too dark to find the door

Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Si non, tu dois rester la nuit

But if you must leave, go [leave]
But if you must leave, go [leave]
If not, you must stay the night

C'est pas que je te demande
De prendre part dans ce jeu
C'est seulement je n'ai pas de montre
Demande toujours le par contre

It's not hat I'm asking you
To take part in this game
It's only that I haven't got a watch
Always ask the "on the other hand"

Oooops... Should have been:

It's not that I'm asking you

Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Mais si tu dois partir, va-t'en
Si non, tu dois rester la nuit

But if you must leave, go [leave]
But if you must leave, go [leave]
If not, you must stay the night


[not too sure about the following one... doesn't really make any sense... but here we go:]

Tu sais j'aurai été plus mal
Et aussi mauvaise intentions
Si je t'empêche des le faire
Ce que vraiment tu espères

You know I would have been worse
And with some bad intentions too
If I stop you from doing
What you're really hoping for [to do]

==============================================

I hope that helped...

loup

-------------------------------------------
[not too sure about the following one... doesn't really make any sense... but here we go:]

Tu sais j'aurai été plus mal
Et aussi mauvaise intentions
Si je t'empêche des le faire
Ce que vraiment tu espères

You know I would have been worse
And with some bad intentions too
If I stop you from doing
What you're really hoping for [to do]

----------------------------------------------------

That last bit does just about make sense the way you've translated it, does it not make sense in French?

Mel

Nope...


I probably should have checked the "Paroles" site and see if they got the lyrics for that song... but I was kind of in a hurry as it is Monday today and it's deadline day at <./>ThePost</.>...

I will have a quick look now...

loup

Thank you ever so much!

Now, if you could rephrase these lines:
It's only that I haven't got a watch
Always ask the "on the other hand"

English isn't my first language and I am afraid I don't get it right.

Oh yes, the 'par contre' bit...

Perhaps:

'Always ask for the other side of the coin'

or

'Always look at the other side of the coin'



Hmmm.. the floor is open for _any_ suggestion..

'... the other story'

'... the other reason'

To always want what you can't have, the grass is always greener on the other side type attitude?

To not have a watch is to pretend that one doesn't know how late it is. Basically the singer is asking someone to stay the night and they are trying to find reasons as to why the person should stay, it's too dark to find the door is another example.

Mel

E G Mel...

'...the other reason' could be _the_ one then...

loup

PS: The song was not listed on the "Paroles.net" site... but, it's not a too big surprise; they don't have all the French songs lyrics anyway.

All is sorted out now and put into Estonian.

Couldn't it be "demande l'heure par contre". That would follow, as "je n'ai pas de montre, "(but) ask me the time, anyway??? Just a thought!