Georges Moustaki (1934-2013) was a singer-songwriter of Greek Jewish origin… Read Full Bio ↴Georges Moustaki (1934-2013) was a singer-songwriter of Greek Jewish origin.

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.

Près de chez moi
Georges Moustaki Lyrics

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Près de chez moi
Le berger et sa flûte de bois
Et sa chèvre et son chien qui aboie
M'attendent

Près de chez moi
La lune verse une pluie d'argent
Qui éclaire les blés et les champs

De lavande

Comme une fenêtre
S'ouvre et s'étend à l'infini
Sans une vague sans un bruit
La mer si bleue si verte il n'y a rien
Quelques filles près de l’abreuvoir
Quelques gars qui rentrent chaque soir
Sans histoires

Sur le chemin
Échangeant leur dernier souvenir
Quelques vieux pensent qu'ils vont mourir
Sans y croire

Reconnaîtrais je l'olivier le buisson de miel
Sous la voûte de l'arc en ciel
D’où les anges nous protègent
Tout près de toi

Mon cœur vient de s'ouvrir vers l'amour
A jamais je garderais ce jour en mémoire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Georges Moustaki's song "Près de chez moi" paint a vivid picture of a serene and idyllic countryside setting. The song begins by describing the presence of a shepherd with his wooden flute, a goat, and a barking dog, all waiting near the singer's home. This introduction sets a peaceful and pastoral tone.

Continuing on, the lyrics highlight the moon's gentle shower of silver, illuminating the fields of wheat and lavender. The imagery suggests a calm and ethereal atmosphere, where nature itself becomes a source of beauty and tranquility. The song evokes a sense of wonder and invites the listener to appreciate the simple yet profound elements of the surrounding environment.

The second verse paints a picture of a limitless window opening to infinity, metaphorically describing the vastness and silence of the sea. The vivid contrast between the blue and green colors of the sea serves as a reminder of its untouched purity. The mention of a few girls by the watering trough and a few men returning home every evening without any notable stories reveals the ordinary lives of the local inhabitants, adding a touch of familiarity and community to the song.

As the lyrics progress, the song briefly shifts to an introspective perspective. It mentions a group of elderly individuals exchanging their final memories, with the implication that they are aware of their imminent mortality yet remain skeptical about it. This passage reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the contemplation of one's own mortality.

Returning to the initial theme of nature, the lyrics pose a question about whether the singer would recognize the olive tree, the honey bush, and the protective angels beneath the rainbow's arch. This introspective moment adds depth to the song, exploring themes of personal growth, connection with nature, and spiritual contemplation. The final lines express the singer's newfound openness to love and the eternal memory of this transformative experience.

Overall, "Près de chez moi" is a poetic and introspective song that captures the essence of a serene countryside, reflects on the passing of time and mortality, and highlights the transformative power of love and personal moments of awakening.

Line by Line Meaning

Près de chez moi
Close to my home

Le berger et sa flûte de bois
The shepherd and his wooden flute

Et sa chèvre et son chien qui aboie
And his goat and his barking dog

M'attendent
Are waiting for me

La lune verse une pluie d'argent
The moon pours a rain of silver

Qui éclaire les blés et les champs
That illuminates the wheat and the fields

De lavande
Of lavender

Comme une fenêtre
Like a window

S'ouvre et s'étend à l'infini
Opens and extends to infinity

Sans une vague sans un bruit
Without a wave, without a sound

La mer si bleue si verte il n'y a rien
The sea so blue, so green, there's nothing