French author and musician Boris Vian wrote an anti-war song in 1954 against the First Indochina War. The song takes the form of a letter from a draftee to the president, explaining his reasons for deserting.
Although it was initially criticized as an anti-patriotic song and banned by the French national radio committee for 8 years, it has since become an iconic poem and is taught in French schools.
This week, a Russian adaptation was released, as its lyrics resonate vividly with the current situation. The French journalist and musician Benjamin Sire initiated this project as a response to Poutin’s recent draft, hoping that the lyrics would touch the Russian soldiers.
Here’s an excerpt of the French lyrics, and you can listen to the song in the video above, with English subtitles.
“Monsieur le président Je vous fais une lettre
Que vous lirez peut-être Si vous avez le temps.
Je viens de recevoir Mes papiers militaires
Pour partir à la guerre Avant mercredi soir.
Monsieur le président Je ne veux pas la faire
Je ne suis pas sur terre Pour tuer de pauvres gens.”
For the Russian version, check this French podcast. The song starts at 6 minutes, after its introduction in French by the presenters.