I did a little bit of research on the other forums regarding lyrics to this song. I am a Disney/Pixar fanatic and have every lyric to every song of every animated movie in the Disney and Pixar canons. I am very particular about having the original lyrics. So when a soundtrack does not provide the lyrics (as most Disney/Pixar films of late have not) I have normally settled for the captions of the DVD/VHS. However, Cars introduced me to the second-best source for lyrics: music sheets! About a week ago I finally found the music sheet to Le Festin and simply want to share my findings with everyone. Please keep in mind that the song was originally written in English by the film’s composer, Michael Giacchino, before it was felt it would better suit the film in French and translated so. As stated in another forum (Ratatouille soundtrack), the song was translated by Boualem Lamhene. The following is the French and original English lyrics, as transcribed on the sheet music:
Le Festin
French lyrics:
Les rêves des amoureux sont comm’(e) le bon vin
Ils donn(ent) de la joie ou bien du chagrin
Affaibli par la faim je suis malheureux
Volant en chemin tout ce que je peux
Car rien n’est gratuit dans la vie
L’espoir est un plat bien trop vite consommé
A sauter les repas je suis habitué
Un voleur solitaire est triste à nourrir
A un jeu si amer je n’peux réussir
Car rien n’est gratuit dans…
La vie… Jamais on ne me dira
Que la course aux étoiles; ça n’est pas pour moi
Laissez moi vous émerveiller et prendre mon en vol
Nous allons en fin nous régaler
La fêt(e) va enfin commencer
Sortez les bouteilles; finis les ennuis
Je dresse la table, de ma nouvell(e) vie
Je suis heureux à l’idée de ce nouveau destin
Une vie à me cacher et puis libre enfin
Le festin est sur mon chemin
Une vie à me cacher et puis libre enfin
Le festin est sur mon chemin
English lyrics:
Dreams are to lovers as wine is to friends
Carried through lifetimes, (and) spilled now and then
I am driven by hunger, so saddened to be
Thieving in darkness; I know you’re not pleased
But nothing worth eating is free
My hope is a banquet impatiently downed
Impossibly full, now I’ll probably drown
Many thieves’ lives are lonely with one mouth to feed
If giving means taking, I’ll never succeed
For nothing worth stealing is…
Free at last; won’t be undersold
Surviving isn’t living; won’t eat what I’m told
Let me free, I’ll astonish you; I’m planning to fly
I won’t let this party just pass me by
The banquet is now underway, so…
Bring out the bottles; a new tale has spun
In clearing this table, my new life’s begun
I am nervous, excited; (oh) just read the marquee!
A lifetime of hiding; I’m suddenly free!
My dinner is waiting for me
A lifetime of hiding; I’m suddenly free!
My dinner is waiting for me
Please enjoy!!