Song Meaning

Léo Ferré's "Ils ont voté" is a cynical blast against the perceived futility of electoral politics, delivered with the artist's trademark venom. Ferré doesn't just question the outcome of an election; he attacks the very process, framing it as a charade that distracts from deeper societal ills. The opening verse establishes a world-weary persona, a figure already carrying the weight of a long life ("cinquante berges") and disillusioned with the promises of salvation, be it religious or political. He is already metaphorically crucified by public opinion ("crucifie sur des affiches"), and finds solace only in fleeting vices. This sets the stage for his disdain. The refrain "Ils ont voté... et puis, après ?" acts as a recurring sneer, undermining any sense of accomplishment or change that the act of voting might imply. It's a challenge to the listener to consider what, if anything, truly shifts after the ballots are cast. Ferré's critique extends to the collective amnesia and moral decay he sees in French society. The lines about a "mémoire hémiplégique" and "souvenirs éborgnés" suggest a nation unwilling or unable to confront its past, leading to a present characterized by apathy and a lack of genuine conviction. He laments the impossibility of escaping this national identity, wishing he could become anything but French, and mocks the televised spectacle of voting, painting a picture of citizens manipulated and disrespected. The reference to "le général Frappart" and the image of ballots in testicles is a particularly biting visual, suggesting that the act of voting has become emasculated, a mere symbolic gesture devoid of real power. The final verse envisions a radical, if somewhat absurd, form of social justice. In Ferré's ideal "France socialiste," those he deems complicit in the charade would be forced to literally consume the instruments of their deception – "fumer le scrutin de liste jusqu'au mégot de mon dégoût." This is not a call for reasoned debate but a visceral expression of disgust. The image of these figures singing the Marseillaise with "des cartes perforées" and "un ordinateur dans l' gosier" further dehumanizes them, reducing them to automatons spouting patriotic platitudes while being controlled by technology. The concluding line, "Le jour de gloire est arrivé," drips with sarcasm, suggesting that any sense of national pride or triumph is hollow in the face of such systemic corruption and societal malaise. Ultimately, "Ils ont voté" is not merely a song about voting; it's a lament for a nation Ferré believes has lost its way, a society where the ritual of democracy has become a meaningless performance.