Après Moi

Album: Begin To Hope (2006)
Play Video
  • I must go on standing
    You can't break that which isn't yours
    I must go on standing
    I'm not my own, it's not my choice

    Be afraid of the lame, they'll inherit your legs
    Be afraid of the old, they'll inherit your souls
    Be afraid of the cold, they'll inherit your blood
    Après moi, le déluge
    After me comes the flood

    I must go on standing
    You can't break that which isn't, isn't yours, yours
    I must go on standing
    I'm not my own, it's not my choice

    Be afraid of the lame, they'll inherit your legs
    Be afraid of the old, they'll inherit your souls
    Be afraid of the cold, they'll inherit your blood
    Après moi, le déluge
    After me comes the flood
    Be afraid of the lame, they'll inherit your legs
    Be afraid of the old, they'll inherit your souls
    Be afraid of the cold, they'll inherit your blood
    Après moi, le déluge
    After me, flood

    Февраль. Достать чернил и плакать
    Писать о феврале навзрыд
    Пока грохочущая слякоть
    Весною черною горит
    Февраль. Достать чернил и плакать
    Писать о феврале навзрыд
    Пока грохочущая слякоть
    Весною черною горит

    Be afraid of the lame, they'll inherit your legs
    Be afraid of the old, they'll inherit your souls
    Be afraid of the cold, they'll inherit your blood
    Après moi, le déluge
    After me comes the flood

    I must go on standing
    You can't break that which isn't yours
    I must go on standing
    I'm not my own, it's not my choice

    I, I must go on stan-stan-ding-dong
    You can't, can't break that, that
    Which isn't, isn't yours, yours
    I, I must go on stan-stan-ding-dong
    I'm not, not my own, own
    It's not, not my choice Writer/s: Regina Spektor
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Stephen from Beloit, WiThe full phrase, "Apres moi le deluge," is translated (by Regina in the song) as "after me comes the flood." The history of this phrase is a bit muddled, but it usually means "I won't worry about the consequences, because after me, everything will be destroyed." Mostly-irrelevant history to follow:

    The saying is frequently misattributed to Louis XV of France, the second-to-last ruler of France before the aristocracy-destroying French Revolution. Louis XV and his father, Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), were fond of great extravagance at court and fighting expensive wars which eventually bankrupted France, providing one of many catalysts for the French Revolution. Thus, "after me (Louis XV), the flood (the Revolution)." Louis XVI, his son, was executed at the guillotine.

    The more probable and slightly-less-romanticized story is that the words were uttered by Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV's chief mistress. She supposedly said this after a particularly crushing military defeat at Rossbach - during one of those expensive wars, noted above - to console the king (i.e. "It's all right, after us, nothing matters").
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.