This a disco song covered by the Italo-French singer Dalida in the 70’s.
The original was a 1938 ballad recorded by Rina Ketty. And was translated from the Italian hit Tornerai (You will return). The French lyrics were written by Louis Poterat.
Between Rina Ketty and Dalida, numerous artists covered the song. Including Tino Rossi, Jean Sablon (1939), Jill Barber (2013) for the French version, Bing Crosby released an English version in 1945, known as I’ll be Your.
It has also been translated in German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Polish, Czech and Lithuanian.
Dalida also released an Italian, German and Spanish version.
The song has been used in countless movies.
It became iconic during WWII, akin to Lili Marlen from Lale Andersen or We’ll meet again from Dame Vera Lynn.
It is sung from the point of view of a woman waiting for her lover. But it can also be interpreted by anyone as awaiting peace or liberation.
J’attendrai
Le jour et la nuit
J’attendrai toujours
Ton retour
J’attendrai (j’attendrai)
Car l’oiseau qui s’enfuit
Vient chercher l’oubli
Dans son nid
Le temps passe et court
En battant tristement
Dans mon cœur si lourd
Et pourtant
J’attendrai ton retour
J’attendrai
Le jour et la nuit
J’attendrai toujours
Ton retour
J’attendrai (j’attendrai)
Car l’oiseau qui s’enfuit
Vient chercher l’oubli
Dans son nid
Le temps passe et court
En battant tristement
Dans mon cœur si lourd
Et pourtant
J’attendrai ton retour
Le vent m’apporte
De bruits lointains
Guettant ma porte
J’écoute en vain
Hélas, plus rien
Plus rien ne vient
J’attendrai
Le jour et la nuit
J’attendrai toujours
Ton retour
J’attendrai (j’attendrai)
Car l’oiseau qui s’enfuit
Vient chercher l’oubli
Dans son nid
Le temps passe et court
En battant tristement
Dans mon cœur si lourd
Et pourtant
J’attendrai ton retour
Et pourtant
J’attendrai ton retour
Le temps passe et court
En battant tristement
Dans mon cœur si lourd
Et pourtant
J’attendrai ton retour
I’ll be waiting
day and night.
I’ll be waiting forever
Your return.
I’ll be waiting
as a bird that flees
comes to seek oblivion
in his nest
Time passes and runs away
with a sad beat
in my heavy heart
And yet,
I’ll be waiting your return.
I’ll be waiting
day and night.
I’ll be waiting forever
Your return.
I’ll be waiting (x2)
as a bird that flees
comes to seek oblivion.
in its nest
Time passes and runs away
with a sad beat
in my heavy heart
and yet
I’ll be waiting your return
The wind brings me
distant noises.
Watching my doors
I listen in vain
unfortunately nothing left
Nothing comes around.
I’ll be waiting
day and night.
I’ll be waiting always
Your return.
I’ll be waiting (x2)
as a bird that flees
comes to seek oblivion
in its nest
Time goes and passes by
with a sad beat
In my heavy heart.
And yet,
I’ll be waiting your return
and yet
I’ll be waiting your return.
Time goes and passes by
beating sadly
in my heavy heart
and yet
I’ll be waiting your return, oh.
Between the French lyrics 
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