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.
Homme je te salue
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Homme de lumière et de marbre
Homme de poussière et de vent
Homme de la chair et du sang
Je te salue
Je te salue
Homme de la mer et du large
Homme du désert et du sable
Homme de partout et d’ici
Homme de toutes les galaxies
Je te salue
Je te salue
Homme de tous sexes et tout âge
Homme de sagesse et de rage
Homme de soleil et de nuit
Homme qui s’éveille aujourd’hui
Je te salue
Je te salue
Homme des révolutions mortes
Homme des prochaines révoltes
Homme de l’espace et du temps
Homme de la race des géants
Je te salue
Je te salue!
Georges Moustaki's song "Homme je te salue" is a tribute to humanity and its diversity. The song begins by addressing mankind as "Homme de la terre et des arbres" (man of the earth and the trees) and "Homme de lumière et de marbre" (man of light and marble). These beautiful descriptions of humanity capture the essence of what it means to be human, with all the complexities and beauty that come with it.
The song continues to describe mankind as "Homme de poussière et de vent" (man of dust and wind) and "Homme de la chair et du sang" (man of flesh and blood), emphasizing the physical nature of humanity. The repetition of "Je te salue" (I salute you) throughout the song reinforces the idea that humanity deserves recognition and respect.
The song also acknowledges humanity's diversity, describing mankind as "Homme de tous sexes et tout âge" (man of all sexes and ages) and "Homme de toutes les galaxies" (man of all galaxies). Moustaki celebrates humanity's ability to exist in different environments, such as the sea and the desert.
The lyrics also recognize mankind's potential for change and growth, describing mankind as "Homme qui s’éveille aujourd’hui" (man who awakens today) and "Homme des prochaines révoltes" (man of upcoming revolutions). Finally, the song ends with “Homme de la race des géants” (man of the race of giants), implying that mankind can accomplish great things.
Overall, "Homme je te salue" is an uplifting and inspiring tribute to the beauty and complexity of humanity. It acknowledges both our physical nature and our potential for greatness, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Homme de la terre et des arbres
You are a person who belongs to the earth and the trees.
Homme de lumière et de marbre
You are someone who shines bright like light and has a sturdy presence like marble.
Homme de poussière et de vent
You are made of dust and carried by the wind.
Homme de la chair et du sang
You are made of flesh and blood.
Je te salue
I salute you.
Homme de la mer et du large
You belong to the sea and the wide open spaces.
Homme du désert et du sable
You are a person of the desert and the sand.
Homme de partout et d’ici
You are someone from everywhere and right here too.
Homme de toutes les galaxies
You belong to all the galaxies out there.
Je te salue
I salute you.
Homme de tous sexes et tout âge
You belong to all genders and ages.
Homme de sagesse et de rage
You have both wisdom and rage within you.
Homme de soleil et de nuit
You belong to both the sunny and the dark times.
Homme qui s’éveille aujourd’hui
You are awakening today.
Je te salue
I salute you.
Homme des révolutions mortes
You belong to the revolutions of the past.
Homme des prochaines révoltes
You are part of the upcoming revolts.
Homme de l’espace et du temps
You belong to both space and time.
Homme de la race des géants
You are part of the race of giants.
Je te salue
I salute you.
Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GeraldViredazgrekosuisse
Homme
Georges Moustaki
Homme de la terre et des arbres
Homme de lumière et de marbre
Homme de poussière et de vent
Homme de la chair et du sang
Je te salue
Je te salue
Homme de la mer et du large
Homme du désert et du sable
Homme de partout et d'ici
Homme de toutes les galaxies
Je te salue
Je te salue
Homme de tous sexes et tout âge
Homme de sagesse et de rage
Homme de soleil et de nuit
Homme qui s'éveille aujourd'hui
Je te salue
Je te salue
Homme des révolutions mortes
Homme des prochaines révoltes
Homme de l'espace et du temps
Homme de la race des géants
Je te salue
Je te salue!
Source : Musixmatch
Paroliers : Georges Moustaki