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.
Humblement Il Est Venu
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On ne l'a pas reconnu il était mal habillé
Il n'avait pas de souliers
Parce qu'Il était pieds nus
On ne l'a pas reconnu
Humblement, Il est venu
Comme s'Il tombait des nues
On ne comprenait pas tout
Mais personne n'y a cru
De ceux qui l'ont entendu
Humblement, Il est venu
Demander la bienvenue
Demander du pain, du vin
Et un lit jusqu'au matin
Il ne voulait rien de plus
Il n'a pourtant rien reçu
Humblement, Il est venu
Humblement, a disparu
Ce n'était qu'un étranger
Que pouvait-Il bien chercher?
Ce n'était qu'un inconnu
On ne l'a pas retenu
Ça fait deux mille ans ou plus
Qu'il n'est jamais reparu
Mais on s'en souvient pourtant
Et tout le monde l'attend
Les filles pour le recevoir
Se font belles chaque soir
Les enfants parlent de Lui
Comme on parle d'un ami
Les hommes, eux, ne disent rien
Mais lui gardent un verre de vin
Il viendra le boire un jour
À la joie et à l'amour
La, la, la, la, la
The lyrics to Georges Moustaki's "Humblement, Il est venu" tell the story of a humble stranger who arrives seeking hospitality, but is not recognized or welcomed by the community. The stranger is described as poorly dressed and barefoot, yet kind and gentle in speech. Though the stranger asks for only basic provisions - bread, wine, and a bed for the night - he is greeted with suspicion and disbelief. The lyrics suggest that despite his unassuming appearance and lack of material wealth, the stranger holds great significance and is remembered with reverence by both children and adults alike. The song ends by hinting at the possibility of the stranger's return, with the anticipation and hope of being reunited with him.
The song's lyrics are deeply influenced by Christian themes, particularly the story of Jesus Christ and his reception as a stranger and pilgrim in his own time. The description of the stranger as barefoot, humble, and seeking only basic provisions echoes the story of Christ's birth in a stable, and his later teachings about the importance of hospitality, compassion, and selflessness. Additionally, the song's melody draws on traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern musical styles, which further reflects the story's biblical origins.
Despite having been composed in 1969, "Humblement, Il est venu" continues to resonate with audiences across cultures and generations. Its message of kindness and compassion toward strangers and the less fortunate is timeless and universal, and speaks to the enduring power of faith and morality in the face of hardship and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Humblement, Il est venu
Jesus came humbly
On ne l'a pas reconnu il était mal habillé
He was not recognized because He was poorly dressed
Il n'avait pas de souliers
He didn't have shoes
Parce qu'Il était pieds nus
Because He was barefoot
Comme s'Il tombait des nues
As if He fell from the sky
Il disait des mots très doux
He spoke very gentle words
On ne comprenait pas tout
Not everyone understood Him
Mais personne n'y a cru
But no one believed Him
Demander la bienvenue
Asking for welcome
Demander du pain, du vin
Asking for bread, wine
Et un lit jusqu'au matin
And a bed until morning
Il ne voulait rien de plus
He didn't want anything more
Il n'a pourtant rien reçu
However, He received nothing
Ce n'était qu'un étranger
He was just a stranger
Que pouvait-Il bien chercher?
What could He be looking for?
Ce n'était qu'un inconnu
He was just unknown
Les filles pour le recevoir
Girls dress up to welcome Him
Se font belles chaque soir
They make themselves beautiful every evening
Les enfants parlent de Lui
Children talk about Him
Comme on parle d'un ami
As if talking about a friend
Les hommes, eux, ne disent rien
Men don't say anything
Mais lui gardent un verre de vin
But keep a glass of wine for Him
Il viendra le boire un jour
He will come to drink it one day
À la joie et à l'amour
Together with joy and love
Ça fait deux mille ans ou plus
It's been two thousand or more years
Qu'il n'est jamais reparu
Since He never reappeared
Mais on s'en souvient pourtant
But we still remember Him
Et tout le monde l'attend
And everyone is waiting for Him
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
chat moine
Un artiste éveillé sur la réalité de nos existences à tous et qui chante pour nous éveiller. Avec la technologie d''aujourd'hui plus besoin d'écrire un livre. Gratitude, paix et amour
Helena Seiler
Noel 2019 ! It's amazing that nobody came here to write a few nice words about this beautiful song composed and sung by George Moustaki, a true poet! 'Humbly He Came".. This one (he sings it so matter of fact, the lyrics are beautiful) is about the everyday human live of Christ
chat moine
Je vous aime, bonne journée à vous tous
Lavinia Capogna
So beautiful