I’m not the Rogue that I Used to Be —僕はもうかつてのような悪党ではない—

I have a bad cold and a fever today.  So I’ll keep my blog simple. 

These are the lyrics to one of my favourite songs, by an English band called the Kinks. 

The narrator has seduced a sweet girl called Genevieve, and hurt her.  But now he has realised that he loves her and asks for her forgiveness, and a second chance.  Would you put your trust in him?

 

“Sweet Lady Genevieve,” by the Kinks:

“Once under a scarlet sky,

I told you never ending lies.

But they were the words of a drunken vagabond,

Who knew very well he would break your heart before long.

Oh, forgive me, Genevieve.

 

Now I’ve come back to see,

Sweet Lady Genevieve.

This time I’ll give you some security,

And I will make promises I can keep,

So will you come back to me,

Sweet Lady Genevieve?

 

Let me rock you, hold you, take you in my arms,

Forgive me please;

Smile away all your sadness; put your trust in me.

 

Oh, if you come back to me,

Sweet Lady Genevieve -

I’m not the impetuous fool that you used to know.

I know that I used you and I hurt you so;

But that was so long ago,

Sweet Lady Genevieve.

 

Oh, love me, take me in your arms.

Let me rock you, hold you.

Smile away all your sadness; put your trust in me.

 

Once under a starry sky,

I led you on and told you lies.

[I] drank too much whisky on that hot summer night,

I acted so slyly because you were acting so shy.

Oh, forgive me, Genevieve.

 

Sweet Lady Genevieve -

You’re not the child who smiled so innocently;

And I’m not the rogue that I used to be.

So will you come back to me,

Sweet Lady Genevieve?

 

Oh, Genevieve, oh, Genevieve.” 

 

Vocabulary:

to seduce someone – to entice someone into sexual activity

scarlet – of a brilliant red colour

a vagabond – a person who wanders from place to place without a home or job; a tramp

to be impetuous – to act quickly without thought or care

to lead someone on – to mislead or deceive someone, especially into believing that one is in love with or attracted to them

to act slyly – to behave in a cunning and deceitful way

a rogue – a dishonest and dishonourable person