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.
Il n'a plus d'amandes
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Les écureuils ont tout mangé
Et les oiseaux ont ravagé
Les vignes qui s'étendent
Jusqu'au prochain verger
Le foin sent la lavande
Ta gorge chaude l'oranger
Mes lèvres vont se mélanger
Rien ne viendra nous déranger
Le vieux moulin à vent
Ne battra plus des ailes
Le seau rouillé sur sa margelle
Ne grincera plus comme avant
Les écureuils au coin du feu s'endorment
Viens, faisons comme eux
Je te fais une guirlande
De fleurs des champs, de fleurs des prés
Et nos deux corps sont bien trop près
Et notre faim si grande
Ne nous faisons plus désirer
Il n'y a plus d'amandes:
Les écureuils ont tout mangé
Mais j'en aurai en contrebande
Pour t'y faire goûter sans attendre l'été
The lyrics to Georges Moustaki's "Il n'a plus d'amandes" tell a narrative about a peaceful and idyllic setting that has been disturbed by various factors. The mention of almonds being gone signifies a lack of abundance and harmony in the natural surroundings. The squirrels have consumed all the almonds, while the birds have ravaged the vines that extend to the next orchard. These descriptions highlight the disruption caused by the animals, portraying a sense of disorder and imbalance.
Further, the lyrics mention the hay smelling like lavender and your warm throat resembling an orange tree. These sensory details evoke a sensory experience and create a sensual atmosphere within the lyrics. The imagery of lips blending with greedy lips suggests a romantic encounter without any disturbances. The phrase "Rien ne viendra nous déranger" (Nothing will disturb us) emphasizes the desire for an uninterrupted moment of intimacy.
The lyrics then shift to a description of a windmill that no longer moves and a rusty bucket that no longer creaks as it did before. This imagery implies a sense of stillness and stagnation, further emphasizing the disrupted tranquility in the surrounding environment. The squirrels are said to be falling asleep by the fire, and the listener is invited to join them in embracing a state of peaceful slumber.
The song concludes with the promise of an almond treat, even though there are none left. The singer declares that they will smuggle almonds so that the listener can taste them without waiting for summer. This line conveys the sentiment that, despite the lack of abundance, there is still a way to experience delight and satisfaction, even if it requires going against the natural order.
Overall, "Il n'a plus d'amandes" explores themes of disruption, desire, and finding satisfaction amidst scarcity. Through vivid imagery and poetic language, the lyrics offer a reflection on the transient nature of abundance and the ability to find joy in unexpected ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Il n'y a plus d'amandes:
There are no more almonds:
Les écureuils ont tout mangé
The squirrels have eaten them all
Et les oiseaux ont ravagé
And the birds have ravaged
Les vignes qui s'étendent
The sprawling vineyards
Jusqu'au prochain verger
Until the next orchard
Le foin sent la lavande
The hay smells like lavender
Ta gorge chaude l'oranger
Your warm throat, the orange tree
Mes lèvres vont se mélanger
My lips will blend
A tes lèvres gourmandes
With your greedy lips
Rien ne viendra nous déranger
Nothing will disturb us
Le vieux moulin à vent
The old windmill
Ne battra plus des ailes
Will no longer flap its wings
Le seau rouillé sur sa margelle
The rusty bucket on its ledge
Ne grincera plus comme avant
Will no longer creak as before
Les écureuils au coin du feu s'endorment
The squirrels in the corner of the fire fall asleep
Viens, faisons comme eux
Come, let's do like them
Je te fais une guirlande
I make you a garland
De fleurs des champs, de fleurs des prés
Of wildflowers, of meadow flowers
Et nos deux corps sont bien trop près
And our two bodies are much too close
Et notre faim si grande
And our hunger so great
Ne nous faisons plus désirer
Let's not make ourselves desired anymore
Il n'y a plus d'amandes:
There are no more almonds:
Les écureuils ont tout mangé
The squirrels have eaten them all
Mais j'en aurai en contrebande
But I will have some smuggled
Pour t'y faire goûter sans attendre l'été
To make you taste them without waiting for summer
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind