"Chalouper" is a song by French-Rwandan artist Gaël Faye. The song is written in French and has a joyful, nostalgic vibe with elements of Caribbean music. The lyrics talk about the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The first verse sets the scene with phrases like "One day, our bodies will be tired" and "The scrolls on our faces, telling the story of the past." It reflects on life's successes and failures, and how our trembling hands continue to move forward like a dance. The chorus emphasizes the desire to keep moving and swaying, no matter how old we become. It talks about having begonias on the balcony and playing a calypso tune. The sepia-toned photo in the living room symbolizes the memories of youth and the longing for the past. Despite the weariness of life and passing time, no one can stop our worn-out bodies from swaying. The second verse mentions the transition from spring to autumn and moving away from the shore. It paints a picture of enjoying the small pleasures in life, like listening to Caribbean tunes on a gramophone and dancing with restrained steps. The vibrating hearts symbolize the rhythm of life as long as the store is open. The lyrics also hark back to the carefree years when laughter was the only cause of death and memories of the seaside promenade in Havana. The song concludes with a plea to continue swaying even when the singer's voice is gone. It asks the listener to remember the song and to keep dancing. The repetitive chorus serves as encouragement to keep moving and swaying until the end of love. Overall, "Chalouper" speaks to the bittersweetness of aging, the importance of cherishing memories, and the joy of continuing to dance and live life fully despite the passing of time.
