C'est La Vie, (You Never Can Tell)
Emmylou Harris · Anthology: The Warner/Reprise Years [Rhino Records [2001]
It was a teenage wedding and the old folks wished 'em well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the madamoiselle
Now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell.
They furnished off an appartment with a two room Roebuck sale
The coolerator was crammed with TV dinners and gingerale
But when Pierre found work the little money comin' worked out well
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell.
They had a hi-fi phono, boy did they let it blast
Seven hundred little records all rockin' rhythm and jazz
But when the sun went down the rapid tempo of the music fell
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell.
--- Instrumental ---
They bought a souped up jitney twas a cherry red fifty three
They drove it to New Orleans to celebrate their anniversary
It was there where Pierre was wadded to that lovely madamoiselle
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell.
It was a teenage wedding and the old folks wished 'em well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the madamoiselle
Now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell.
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell.
C'est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell...
C'est La Vie, (You Never Can Tell) - Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris delivers a masterful reinterpretation of the classic standard 'C'est La Vie, (You Never Can Tell)' on her anthology album, Anthology: The Warner/Reprise Years. As a defining voice of American roots music, Harris blends her signature acoustic guitar work with a vocal style that honors the song's original spirit while infusing it with her own distinctive country-folk sensibility. This recording exemplifies her career-long commitment to preserving and revitalizing traditional songs, showcasing her ability to draw emotional depth from familiar material. The track stands as a testament to her influence on the genre, demonstrating how a skilled artist can transform a well-known composition into a fresh, resonant experience that resonates with audiences across generations.
