If I was born elsewhere

Somewhere in Africa

To live by the hour fear

on an empty stomach

If I was born elsewhere

The dream on edge

I would give my heart

To get some water

If I was born elsewhere

Between bombs and misery

Under some dictators

Some fleeting kings

If I was born elsewhere

Without believing in tomorrow

I would expect from your hearts

Let them reach out to me 

And in a breath of anger

I would go over the borders

I would brave the oceans

On a raft of survivors

On a raft of freedom

I would beg humanity

But humanity is still

Sometimes riskier than death

If I was born there

Between ruins and prayers

Undermined by fighting

Imaginary gods

If I was born there

Would i still want

To pray that one

To believe in this one

And in a breath of anger

I would shake up the borders

I would force the oceans

On a raft for emigrants

On a wave of humanity

I would go for freedom

But freedom is still

Harder to find than death

If I was born elsewhere

But I was born in France

In the land of Voltaire

D'Hugo, and Anatole France

So I reach out

So i stretch my heart

Because me too tomorrow

I could flee elsewhere

Like those who live elsewhere

Those who survive elsewhere

Those who die elsewhere

​

(1981-2018)