Tu vas et tu viens entre tes reins lyrics

Quality Lyrics Translation + Free French Lesson
Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
(1969)
Word for word French to English lyrics translation
Difficult meanings explained 

Video 1: The classic music video

Video 2: Fan made lyrics video (French above, Spanish below)

I Couldn't resist doing this one. This will be my first Gainsbourg song that I've done as a lesson and I chose this particular song of his because it's short, simple, well known and yet full of metaphors... and just a little bit naughty. Well, that's the French for you! If you like this lesson you may like my other lessons I've done based other good French language songs. If so, CLICK HERE

PART ONE

1.1)
Je t'aime, Je t'aime, 
I love you, I love you

Je =  [I] (Personal Pronoun - subject form - first person singular) Now take a look at the table of diffent personal pronouns below.
Personal Pronouns (subject forms)
Je = [I] = 1st person singular
Tu = [you] (familiar singular) = 2nd person singular
Il/elle/on = [he(it)/she(it)/(one/we/they)] = 3rd person singular
Nous = [we] = 1st person plural
Vous = [you] (familiar plur + formal sing and plur) = 2rd pers plur
Ils/elles = [they] = 3rd person plural  
t' = [you] (Personal Pronoun - direct object form - second person singular)
Persona pronouns (direct object forms)
me/m' = [me] 
te/t' = [you]
(le/l')/(la/l') = [him/her]
nous = [us]
vous = [you]
les = [them]
NOTE: if all this personal pronoun nonsense is making your head spin then looking at this table may help. If that doesn't then don't let it block your learning; Just accept the word for word translations as they are and ignore the grammar stuff until your ready for it. 
aime =[love] JE form of aimer [to love]  in the PRÉSENT. Let's take a closer look at this verb
Aimer PRÉSENT
j'aime
tu aimes
il/el/on aime
nous aimons
vous aimez
ils/elles aiment
Je =  [I]
t' = [you]
aime =[love]

1.2)
Oh oui je t'aime!
Oh yes I love you!

oh = [oh]
oui = [yes]
je = [I] 
t' = [you]
aime = [love]

1.3)
Moi non plus
Me neither

moi = [me]
non plus = [neither] Yes, you heard right. "But this doesn't make sense!!," I hear you cry. Well, that's poetry for you. 
In fact, the turn of phrase was inspired by the words of Salvador Dali who, in response to the question: "what differentiates you from Picasso" (note: not sure what language he said this in as I'm translating from the french wikipedia page) said "Picasso's Spanish, me too. Picasso's a Genius, me too. Picasso's a communist, me neither."
Notwithstanding this, the turn of phrase must have some meaning within the song. There are all sorts of theories: here are the best two.

http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858542056/
At the height of pleasure woman say things like "I love you" even though in the cold light of the day they probably would retract the statement. Men, knowing the 'non-sincere' status of the orgasmic "I love you" respond with a more honest "me neither."
Theory Two 
The guy is being super cool and 'super cool guys' never say 'I love you.' Nor do they reply 'me as well' to the said statement. However, in the middle of making love, such statements need replies otherwise the moment is broken. What to do? Well, use your 'super cool guy' response that you always use in these moments: 'me neither.' This passes as a reasonable responses in the heat of the moment, slips under the radar, and even makes you sound poetic, without committing you to anything, thus maintaining 'super cool guy' status at the same time as being 'super romantic.'
By the way, I've seen this bit translated as 'me no longer' quite a few times. This is just wrong! Yes, 'plus' has an 'anymore/no-more' meaning in phrases like: 'je t'aime plus' [I don't love you anymore], however, its meaning in the song is unquestionable. If your friend said to you, 'je peux pas aller' [I can't go] and you can't either, your set response would be 'moi non plus' [me neither/ nor I]

1.4)
Oh, mon amour...
Oh, my love...

oh= [oh] 
mon = [my] Possessive Adjetive: see this table. Keep it open for the rest of the lesson.
amour = [love] Not going too fast for you, am I?

1.5)
Comme la vague irrésolu
Like an faltering wave OR
Like an unresolved wave OR
Like an ever unfurling wave

comme= [like]
la = [the]
vague= [wave]
irrésolu= [unresovled/ indecisive] (word-reference) 
MEANING: 'like an unresolved wave' (now taking it less literally) 'like a faltering wave.' EXPLANATION: if something is unresolved than it has not come to a conclusion, it is in a state of 'unfinishedness' if that is a word (mmm... google tells me NO!) A wave is always in the process of permanently unfurling, always faltering on the edge of completion, but never does so until it hits something (or just peters out) In the same way, a man 'doin' it' is constantly on the edge of completion. GOT THE METAPHOR YET!
FOOLED D'YA , IT'S A SIMILIE!

1.6)
Je vais, je vais et je viens
I go, I go back and forth OR
I go, I go and I come (back)

je = [I] Personal pronoun - subject form - first person singular
vais= [go] JE form of aller [to go] in the PRÉSENT. NOTE: 'aller' and 'venir' are used in much the same way as 'back and forth' in English. D'ya get it now?
Aller PRÉSENT
je vais
tu vas
il/elle/on va
nous allons
vous allez
ils/elles vont
je= [I] See above
vais = [go]
et= [and]
je = [I]
viens = [come] JE form of venir [to come] in the PRÉSENT. Yes, venir has the same double meaning in French as it does in English. Thank the heavens I didn't have to explain that one!

je viens
tu viens
il/elle/on vient
nous venons
vous venez
ils/elles viennent
MEANING: 'I go, I go back and forth' NOTE: the additional meaning of 'I come' (as in, 'I orgasm') is lost with this particular translation. If we take the literal ' I go, I go and I come (back)' the back and forth motion made during sex is kinda lost! 

1.7)
Entre tes reins
Between your kidneys OR
Between your loins OR
Between your hips OR
Between your ovaries

entre = [between]
tes = [your] Possessive Adjetive (refer to table already open)
reins = [kidneys] (though see NOTE BELOW for the litteraire definition.
MEANING: 'between your kidneys.' Mmm... how romantic! Don't tell me you don't understand! Let's get graphical: when a man's 'ding dong' enters a woman's 'flower,' the actual position of the said 'ding dong' within the said woman's body is roughly between her kidneys (depending on length I suppose.) In fact, I'm not sure if this is medically sound reasoning (not being a doctor myself) but this is how it was explained to me by my French friends so I presume this is how the French imagine it in their heads) 

NOTE BELOW: the use of a pair of internal organs in this song seems rather 'unpoetic,' but this would be to forget the literary use of 'reins' in French to indicate a region of the body. Wordreference says that this region is the waist but this is not the exact truth. 'Hips' would be closer but no cigar. In fact, the right word to use would be loins. And what are the loins: 
Google:- 'the part of the body on both sides of the spine between the lowest (false) ribs and the hip bones,' or in literary use, 'the region of the sexual organs regarded as the source of erotic or procreative power.' 
So, as for the female of the species, you could say the loins are the part of the body where you would find the ovaries. Well, we've gone full circle back to another set of internal organs.

PERSONAL NOTE: I think that Serge missed a trick here. 'Entre tes reins' is repeated many times in this song. Now, 'reins' is pronounced a bit like the English word 'ran' except the final 'n' is not pronounced. In its place is a nasal sound formed by closing off the mouth passage at the back of the throat and letting the nasal passage vibrate a bit. In this way it rhymes with the words 'seins' [breasts] and 'mains' [hands]. (have you guessed what I'm getting at yet?)
Now, imagine that the line says 'entre tes mains' [between your hands] in the first part, 'entre tes seins' [between your breasts] in the second and 'entre tes reins' [between your kidneys (or the region thereof)] in the third part, with even the possibility of finishing of with 'ton trou plein' [your hole full.]  Now that's what I call poetry!

1.8)
Je vais et je viens (see 1.6)
I go back and forth OR
I go and I come (back) 

1.9)
Entre tes reins (See 1.7)
Between your kidneys etc

1.10)
Et je me retiens
And I hold myself back OR 
And I stop myself from coming

et = [and] 
je = [I]
me = [myself]
retiens = [hold.back/ retain/ restrain (amongst other meanings)] 
In fact me retiens is a conjugation of the reflexive verb se retenir [to restrain oneself/ to hold oneself back etc]

je me retiens
tu te retiens
il/elle/on se retient
nous nous retenons
vous vous retenez
ils/elles se retiennent

NOTE: We are now at the point where most of the song has been explained. PART ONE gets repeated several times with minor alterations at each repass. Where these alterations need explaining I will do so, otherwise I will just add (REPEAT) or (MOSTLY REPEAT) after each line.  

Lesson continues below, but first...

PART TWO

2.1)

Je t'aime, je t'aime, (REPEAT) 
I love you, I love you

2.2)

Oh oui je t'aime !(REPEAT) 
Oh yes I love you!

2.3)

Moi non plus (REPEAT)
Me neither

2.4)

Oh mon amour... (REPEAT)
Oh, my love...

2.5)

Tu es la vague, moi l'île nue 
You are the wave and I the naked island
(This time it is Jane talking. NOTE: strong English accent)

tu = [you]
es = [are] 2nd person singular of...
...être in PRÉSENT
je suis
tu es
il/elle/on est
nous sommes
vous êtes
ils/elles sont 
la = [the]
vague = [wave] 
moi = [me/ myself/ I]
l' = [the]
île = [island]
nue = [naked] NOTE: swap the noun and the adjective and what do you get; 'naked island'

2.6)
Tu vas, tu vas et tu viens
You go, you go back and forth OR
You go, you go and you come (back)

tu = [you]
vas = [go] Strong accent here!
et = [and]
tu = [you]
viens = [come]

2.7)
Entre mes reins
Between my kidneys OR
Between my loins OR
Between my hips OR
Between my ovaries

entre = [between]
mes = [my]
reins = [kidneys (or region thereof - see above)]

2.8)
Tu vas et tu viens (REPEAT)
You go back and forth OR
you go and you come (back)

2.9)
Entre mes reins (REPEAT)
Between my kidneys... etc

2.10)
Et je te rejoins 
And I join with youOR
And I rejoin with youOR
And I come with you

Et = [and]
je = [I]
te = [you]
rejoins = [join/ re-join/ join up with/ come along with/ meet with/ unite with] 2nd person singular of...
...rejoindre in the PRÉSENT
je rejoins
tu rejoins
il/elle/on rejoint
nous rejoignons
vous rejoinez
ils/elles rejoinent

PART THREE
(Just a repeat of PART ONE)

PART FOUR

4.1)

Tu vas, tu vas et tu viens (REPEAT)
You go, you go back and forth OR
You go, you go and you come (back)

4.2)

Entre mes reins (REPEAT)
Between my kidneys etc

4.3)

Tu vas et tu viens (REPEAT)
You go back and forth OR
you go and you come (back)

4.4)

Entre mes reins (REPEAT)
Between my kidneys  etc

4.5)

Et je te rejoins (REPEAT)
And I join with you OR
And I rejoin with you OR
And I come with you

PART FIVE

5.1)

Je t'aime, je t'aime, (REPEAT) 
I love you, I love you

5.2)

Oh oui je t'aime ! (REPEAT) 
Oh yes I love you!

5.3)

Moi non plus  (REPEAT)
Me neither

5.4)

Oh mon amour... (REPEAT)
Oh, my love...

5.5)

L'amour physique est sans issue
Physical love never ends OR 
Physical love is without conclusion/resolution'

l' =[the]
amour = [love]
physique = [physical]
est = [is] 3rd person singular of the verb...
...être in the PRÉSENT
je suis
tu es
il/elle/on est
nous sommes
vous êtes 
ils/elles sont
sans = [without]
issue = [exit/ end/ outcome]

5.6)

Je vais, je vais et je viens (REPEAT)
I go, I go back and forth OR
I go, I go and I come (back)

5.7)

Entre tes reins (REPEAT)
Between your kidneys etc

5.8)

Je vais et je viens (REPEAT)
I go back and forth OR
I go and I come (back) 

5.9)

Je me retiens (REPEAT)
I hold myself back OR 
I stop myself from coming

5.10)

Non ! Maintenant viens !
No! Now come! OR
No! Come now!

Non = [no]
Maintenant = [now]
viens = [come]

La Fin
Kenavo, and fanks for the thish.

Je t'aime... moi non plus factoids
(AKA rehash of a Wikipedia entry)

• First done with Bridgitte Bardot in 1967
• Written as a result of a request by Bardot for Gainsbourg to write the "most beautiful love song that can be imagined' (translated from French)
• Composed in one night, and if that's not enough, in the same night that Bonnie and Clyde was also composed.
• The earlier version with Bardot was played only once on radio and never released as Bardot's husband threatened legal proceedings.
• A bit later on, Gainsbourg redid the song with an English actress he was kicking about with: Jane Birkin. And thus history was made...
• Title inspired by the words of Salvador Dali (see left)
• Banned from radio in many countries
• Made number one in the official UK charts in 1969

Below is the simple lyrics translation. For the French lesson based on these lyrics, see below left.
PART ONE
Je t’aime, je t’aime
I love you, I love you

Oh oui, je t’aime
Oh yes I love you!

Moi non plus
Me neither

Oh mon amour
Oh, my love...

Comme la vague irrésolue
Like an faltering wave OR
Like an unresolved wave OR
Like an ever unfurling wave

Je vais, je vais et je viens
I go, I go back and forth OR
I go, I go and I come (back)

Entre tes reins
Between your kidneys OR
Between your loins OR
Between your hips OR
Between your ovaries

Je vais et je viens
I go back and forth OR
I go and I come (back)

Entre tes reins
(see above)

Et je me retiens
And I hold myself back OR 
And I stop myself from coming
CONTINUED BELOW...

PART TWO
Je t’aime je t’aime
I love you, I love youOh oui je t’aime
Oh yes I love you!Moi non plus
Me neitherOh mon amour
Oh, my love...

Tu es la vague, moi l’île nue
You are the wave and I the naked island

Tu vas, tu vas et tu viens
You go, you go back and forth OR
You go, you go and you come (back)

Entre mes reins
Between my kidneys OR
Between my loins OR
Between my hips OR
Between my ovaries

Tu vas et tu viens
You go back and forth OR
You go and you come (back)

Entre mes reins
Between my kidneys  etc

Et je te rejoins
And I join with you OR
And I rejoin you OR
And I come with you
CONTINUED BELOW...

PART THREE
(just a repeat of part one)

PART FOUR
Tu vas, tu vas et tu viens
You go, you go back and forth OR
You go, you go and you come (back)Entre mes reins
Between my kidneys etcTu vas et tu viens
You go back and forth OR
You go and you come (back)Entre mes reins
Between my kidneys  etcEt je te rejoins
And I join with you etc

PART FIVE
Je t’aime je t’aime
I love you, I love you

Oh oui je t’aime
Oh yes I love you!

Moi non plus
Me neither

Oh mon amour
Oh, my love...

L’amour physique est sans issue
Physical love never ends OR 
Physical love is without conclusion/resolution

Je vais, je vais et je viens
I go, I go back and forth OR
I go, I go and I come (back)

Entre tes reins
Between your kidneys OR
Between your loins OR
Between your hips OR
Between your ovaries

Je vais et je viens
I go back and forth OR
I go and I come (back)

Je me retiens
I hold myself back OR 
I stop myself from coming

Non, maintenant viens!
No, now come!
THE END

THE TOP TEN MOST INTERESTING
French Language Music Artists 
Since 2000 
French language music has always had a bit of a reputation for being naff among English speaking peoples. To rebuke those accusations I therefore present some shockingly good modern era music artists (Frenchies who still sing in French, who'd have thought..). The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves. 
I have also written a ditty on each artist, not that anyone reads now-a-days. 
  

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate-Advanced
Brigitte
A Bouche Que Veut-Tu 
(2014)
If you were to ask me who I'm mostly listening to these days my honest answer would be Brigitte. This pair of super hipster femmes fatales found success late in the game but there making up for it now. This particular track never fails to hit the sweet spot.

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Charles Aznavour 
La Bohème 
(1965)
If ever I'm feeling down there is always one song guaranteed to sooth my soul. This one. The song so beautifully describes the life of poor Parisian artists scraping a living together and finding comfort in each other and their own art that you'll feel like you are sharing the experience with them. Aznavour himself was born to Armenian immigrants but has attained legendary status to the point that you'll find him written within the DNA of every French man, woman and child alive.   

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Charles Trenet 
Douce France 
(1947)
It may be old but despite the age gap many of you will will be familiar with this song, particularly the melody. Hands up, I find many of the songs from this period a bit samey but a few by Charles Trenet stand out from the crowd. The reasons you should get to know this particular song yourselves are two fold. First, this song is almost a national anthem packed with nostalgia enriched images of France at it's most chocolate box period. Second, despite his idiosyncratic singing style, Trenet enunciates well so you'll be able to follow what he's singing with ease.

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Gilbert Bécaud 
Et Maintenant 
(1961)
Be prepared for pain, passion and anger... and then some. If you watch the clip I chose of Bécaud singing this song live, then you'll find it hard to believe that he hasn't just come straight from a mental asylum. However, when you start to understand the bitter words spat forth you'll come to realize his genius in capturing the feeling of utter rejection that most of us have experienced at least once in our lives. 
Watch the madness in the eyes...

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
La Godinette
OR
Gael Lefevere +
Nicolas Quemener
J'étais Lassée D’être Jeune Fille
(????)
When Gael Lefevere, the guy responsible for introducing me to the real French music scene, had interpreted this traditional Breton song with fellow musician Nicolas Quemener, I remembered thinking to myself that it was possibly the most moving piece of French language music I had ever come across. Like all songs from this region of France, the lyrics are hard and biting, yet all the more interesting for it, and you'll see just how deep the Celtic roots run in listening to the original version by La Godinette, a version that I have also come to love. Now it's your turn. 

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Stromea
Alors On Danse 
(2013)
This is the song that started it all off for Stromea. I used to flick on the music channels when drinking my bowl of coffee in the mornings and when this song came out, it was on EVERY morning for what felt like a year. It became one of those songs that would play in my head all day long. Be careful, it may have the same effect on you.  
Ps. In the lesson you'll witness how I trash almost every other translation of this song that exists!

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Edith Piaf
Je Ne Regrette Rien 
(1960)
Probably the only French song that the average Joe knows. Well, at least it's a good one. Emotionally charged and yet short and simple song, and hence good for beginners. No extremely metaphorical lyrics, just nice and direct, which helps.

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Claude François
Comme D'habitude 
(1967)
Confession: I hate every song this artist ever did except this one which was truly a chef d'oeuvre. After being seen on TV by a Canadian artist, the song was bought and its lyrics re-written in English once the song had been given totally different theme. The finished product was then sung by Frank Sinatra and thus was born:  'I Did It My Way' 

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Indila 
Dernière Danse 
(2014)
This was on the free to view music channels every morning for the whole of spring 2014.  A hit that came out of nowhere which now has 73 million YouTube hits. Vevo wouldn't let me use the official video so I used an excellent remix in place. (burn-Vevo-burn)

FREE FRENCH LESSON
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Zaz
Je Veux 
(2010)
This was the song that led to Zaz becoming Frances top selling artist abroad in 2010 (or was it another year?) The album from which it came (called Zaz as it happens) ranked high in the charts all over Europe (except, of course, the UK). Simple but potent lyrics whose meaning hit home with me. Plenty of slang phrases within so if you need to work on that then this is your song.

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Stromae
Papaoutai 
(2013)
Recent hit all over europe and the world (152 million YouTube Hits) by the now established king of electro-urban-geek music. This song is not the easiest of ones but has a very strong lyrical narrative,  if not message (as do all his songs). Note that I've put in the phonetics for this lesson using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

FREE FRENCH LESSON
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Benjamin Biolay
Ton Héritage 
(2009)
Modern Classic chanson Française. One man, one piano, one haunting tune, and a bunch of stirring lines. This one always gives me goose pimples when I hear it on the radio. The word for word translations are there but I have left it light on the grammar notes.

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Jacques Brel
Ne Me Quitte Pas 
(1959)
This song is considered by many to be the all time greatest chanson française that has ever existed. Always at the top of meta-critic polls and a personal favorite of my own (I only do songs that I like). It's an oldie (circa 1959) and yet so timeless... 
P.s. I have done the phonetics for this one

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Malicorne
Le Luneux 
(1977?)
From the album Almanach, this traditional French folk song reconstructed by the experimental headonism of Malicorne in the late seventies will make you shiver with delight. I'm not sure whether the melody came from another song, but who cares when it's this good. Some oldie style wording but my notes will help you understand it. 

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Olivia Ruiz
La Femme Chocolat 
(2006)
Unique voice, unique style of music, unique lyrics and unique looks help this artist stand far out from the often samey nouvelle scene crowd. This particular song demonstrates well her quirkiness with lyrics that are just damnright trippy. 

FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Serge Lama
Je Suis Malade
(1973)
Possibly the most melancholic song in the history of mankind... and I love it. It's all about the words dude and Mr Lama paints such a stark yet poignant picture with them that you can't help putting yourself in his boots. Get a glass of whisky, light up cigarette and think of the lovers that have hurt you... you are now ready for this lesson. 

​THE TOP TEN MOST INTERESTING
French Language Music Artists 
Since 2000 
French language music has always had a bit of a reputation for being naff among English speaking peoples. To rebuke those accusations I therefore present some shockingly good modern era music artists (Frenchies who still sing in French, who'd have thought..). The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves. 
I have also written a ditty on each artist, not that anyone reads now-a-days. ​

​

​YOUTUBE VIDS LIST (WITH REVIEWS) OF
The 100 All Time Best French Language Songs (Chansons Françaises) Ever
See my list of what I believe, as serious connoiseur, to be the best French language songs ever (with learning the the French Language and Culture in mind) but which are specifically chosen to suite anglophone tastes. The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves (god, I love copy and paste.) Slowly doing write-ups for each. 
Spotify and Deezer playlists on page.

THE WHY AND HOW:
Using Les Chansons Francaises (French language songs) to Learn French. 
Read my article explaining why and how... oh... I've just said that. I may go off on a folly with this article but what I say within (when I eventually get to the point) could change your current methods of learning French for the better.
Also: detailed look at Irony vs atlantic drift.

​

ONE-STOP LINKS AND REVIEWS FOR 
The Best French Radio Stations for Learning French
Want to listen to French Radio Stations but don't know where to start? Want some advice on which is the best for you? Want a webpage that acts like a gateway and guiding hand at the same time?  Well, you've found the one link to rule them all, the one link to find them, the one link to link them all, and in cyberspace bind them. 
Now that's what I call bad-ass poetry!
(Suck on that one keats)

HOW TO WATCH  
Live 'Free to View' French TV Channels Online from Abroad
In the 21st Century, language, culture and television are very closely associated. If you can't be there then the next best thing is to see and hear what those that are are watching. Your ability to understand oral French will undergo a paradigm shift within just a few hundred hours of french tv watching. Yes, I know that sounds like Chinese water torture but there are a few gems to look out for so.. 
let me be your guide young padawan.

MY SPOTIFY AND DEEZER PLAYLISTS OF
Modern Era French Music Artists And Songs
Did you find my playlist of the top 100 French Language Songs of all time too old fashioned, too melancholic? Here's the remedy. This is my personal playlist of modern french language music and it goes from mainstream pop to left-field hipster. It's like what French music radio stations would be like if you took out all the 80's anglophone music and then gave it taste.
French music can be... good?

ALL BY  MY SELF...  DON'T WANNA BE...
Hints & Tips for Learning French as a Self Study Topic
Going it alone can be a daunting challenge so why not take a little advice from those that have already crossed that bridge. Stand on the shoulders of vertically challenged people, that's what I say 
No dwarfs were harmed during the writing of this article

CONJUGATE THIS FOTHER MUCKER
Rundown of the French Verb Tenses and Moods
I noticed that there was very little on the web giving a brief yet comprehensive rundown of these French verb tense-moods as I like to call them. Even less showing the use of them with examples. 
Shall we consider this lacune filled now?

THE SLIPPERY FISH OF CONJUGATION RIVER
The French Imperfect Tense (l'imparfait)
There is one barrier left between you and near comprehension of French texts: L'Imparfait. ...and so welcome to my rule of thumb rule on how to translate this tense when you come across it in your readings. 
Examples given will help you understand... hopefully.

THIS TIME, NOTHING TO DO WITH FRENCH
Hangman (my first ever short story)
Posted at Booksie.
I wrote this for English learners as I wanted to do a lesson based on a short story that wasn't one of those public domain classics, which although good, can be a bit complicated and old-fashioned. Once finished, and to my horror, I realized that my carefully crafted creation was rather old-fashioned and quite the bit complicated. Still, I think it's good but then again I would say that, wouldn't I.
Plot twist is free, but the broken fourth wall is non-refundable.