Les corons

In the north, there were the mining towns
The earth was coal
The sky was the horizon
The men, coal miners

Our windows looked out on similar windows
And the rain soaked my schoolbag
But my father, coming home, had eyes so blue
That I thought I saw the blue sky

I learned my lessons, cheek against his arm
I think he was proud of me
He was generous like those from the area
And I owe him what I am

In the north, there were the mining towns
The earth was coal
The sky was the horizon
The men, coal miners

And it was my childhood, and it was happy
In the steam of the laundry
And I had slag heaps instead of mountains
From above, I saw the countryside

My father was a "black mouth" like his parents were
My mother had white hair
They were from the pit, like one is from a country
Thanks to them, I know who I am

In the north, there were the mining towns
The earth was coal
The sky was the horizon
The men, coal miners

There was at the town hall on fair day
A photo of Jean Jaurès
And each glass of wine was a pink diamond
Set against a background of silicosis

They talked about '36 and methane explosions
Accidents from the depths of the hole
They loved their job like one loves a country
It is with them that I understood

In the north, there were the mining towns
The earth was coal
The sky was the horizon
The men, coal miners

The sky was the horizon
The men, coal miners