Moustaki was born Yussef Mustacchi on the 3rd May 1934 in Alexandria, Egypt, of Sephardic Jewish parents who had moved there from Corfu, and who ran a bookshop in the city. The family spoke Italian at home, but Georges (then Yussef) spoke Arabic with his friends and attended a French school to which his Francophile parents sent him and his sisters. In 1951 he moved to Paris, where he was inspired by the young Georges Brassens, in honour of whom he changed his name to Georges Moustaki.
Moustaki wrote and sang in French, Italian, Greek, Spanish, English, Yiddish, and Arabic. Early influences included Edith Piaf, with whom Moustaki carried on a year-long romance. His pan-national approach to music made him a star in Europe in the late sixties and early seventies.
He died on the 23rd May 2013 in Nice, France.
Haïti chérie
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
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'hui, nous sommes tous haïtiens)
Men kè mwen émé Ayiti pi bél (mais mon cœur aime Haïti plus que tout)
Lè mwen pati mwen toujou santi doule (quand je pars, je ressens toujours de la douleur)
Mwen pa janm bliyé Ayiti chéri'm (je n'oublie jamais mon cher Haïti)
The lyrics to Georges Moustaki's song Haiti Cherie are deep and emotional, expressing the singer's love and connection to Haiti. Despite being sung in Creole, the message is clear - that the singer is proud to be Haitian and feels a deep connection to their homeland.
The first line, "Jodi a, nou tout' sé haitien nou yé," is a simple statement that "today we are all Haitians". This could be interpreted as a nod to the country's history of overcoming adversity, as many people around the world have come together in support of the Haitian people in times of crisis, such as the 2010 earthquake or the current political unrest.
The singer then goes on to express their personal feelings towards Haiti, stating that their heart loves the country more than anything else. The fact that the singer is forced to leave Haiti and feels a sense of pain and loss whenever they do, adds another layer of emotional depth to the song.
Overall, Haiti Cherie is a powerful ode to Haiti and its people, an acknowledgement of the struggles and hardships they have faced, and a testament to the country's beauty and resilience.
Writer(s): Traditional
Contributed by London D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charlesjeangilles2850
Vous direz que je suis fou peut être d'y croire encore: Un pays comme ça ne peut pas mourir. Il renaitra un jour de ses cendres!
@Martin-kc6bu
Einer der Besten französischen Liedermachern.😊
@rosej-b4718
C'est magnifique, j'adore Georges Moustaki, parti trop tôt ❤❤
@louisaadjouati714
Ta voix est si douce et tendre, Georges. Elle est faite pour l'Amour et la Paix..Sois remercié toi qui es dans l'éternité..
@wawa19951
un remerciement tout spécial à Georges Moustaki qui avait pris le soin de rehausser mon pays aux yeux du monde entier en interprétant: Haiti chérie. Que l'omnipotent lui accorde une place toute spécifique.
@87Macaya
La plus belle et la plus douce interpretation d'Haiti Chérie que j'ai entendu. Une merveille, malheureusement un pays de merveille ayant a sa tête des gouvernements corrompus et sans scrupules !
@victorlionelnazaire685
Haiti, une femme trop belle, qui attire les mauvais garcons !
@georgiegirl110
Ala bel chanson; ala bel vwa. Mesi. Se youn souvni depi NY le mwen te gin 3 an. Peace and Love
@tchoclate1
Merci Georges🇭🇹💕
@landyolivier8479
J'adore, j'adore houff enfin j'adore merci Georges Moustaki