We are only twenty once

Question

Would this be incorrect: "On n'a vingt ans qu'une fois" ?

Accepted Answer

Hi Sean,
It is a French expression -
"On n'a pas tous les jours vingt ans"
There is a very famous old 'musette' song called this, the second verse being -
ça n'arrive qu'une fois seulement ...
meaning you are only young once.
If you are interested here is a link to a more modern rendition by Patrick Bruel -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZhecLOUcQs
and the lyrics -
https://greatsong.net/PAROLES-BERTHE-SYLVA,ON-NA-PAS-TOUS-LES-JOURS-VINGT-ANS,638019.html

Answer

That sounds OK.

Answer

Thanks for both answers.  I love listening to French songs and will add this to my regulars.  Ever listen to "Le vent nous portera"?

Answer

I love French songs, too. Most of what I know of the language comes from listening to Brel, Francis Cabrel, Veronique Sanson, Patricia Kaas and many, many more.

"Le vent nous portera" is fantastic, but Bertrand Cantat's history prevents me from being a fan of the band.

Somewhat on topic, there is also "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" by Dalida, which I first heard on the film "Mina Tannenbaum": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJE5iEcGKG4

Answer

I just read about Cantat.  Yikes.