Amicale

BY TRAIN

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
As far as the eye can see
To the rhythm of heady, monotonous notes 
 The painted wagons sway

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
The green landscapes succeed the dark walls
Through the flowery curtains
That let the dust-stained sun shine through

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
Reading, dreaming, talking, being silent
No matter where you go
In this cabin that has become a home

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
The smell of breaded chicken mingles with the scent of burnt coal
The shells of the hard-boiled eggs will find the folds of the old newspaper
The train cradles its languid passengers

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
Outside, it is night
The light flickers
Over the numb bodies 

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
The dreams succeeded in escaping
Over the damp sheets, the rough blanket and the closed window
In front of the wide open eyes

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
The rails cross, move away, meet again
The railway gets lost in the mountains
Sleep overwhelmed with thoughts accompanies it

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
The fleas satiated
Abandon exhausted arms and legs
When they chaotically wake up

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
The brown tea shakes in the cup
Of silver glass
That a firm hand keeps from falling

Tchaqui tchaca tchaqui tchaca
Time, stopped 
The borders, ignored
Forget the arrival, oh bumpy bubble of freedom

Tatiana Termacic

original language : french