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.
Reprends ta vieille guitare / Soyez bons pour le poète
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Celle qui est accrochée
Au clou de ta mémoire
Que tu n'as plus touchée
Celle qui t'accompagnait
Jadis quand tu faisais la manche
Remets ton vieux blue-jean
À St-Germain-des-Prés celui que tu mettais
Jadis quand tu n'avais rien d'autre
Ressors ton vieux crayon
Celui qui te donnait parfois l'inspiration
D'écrire ou dessiner
Sur les nappes en papier
Jadis quand tu te croyais poète
Reprends la route qui va
Plus loin que l'Italie
Vers des pays moins froids
Où vivent tes amis la route que tu suivais
Jadis quand tu prenais le large
Et reprends ton sourire et ton regard serein
Celui qui semblait dire
"Je rai besoin de rien"
À ceux qui t'écoutaient
Quand tu parlais si bien de liberté
Et reprends ton sourire et ton regard serein
Celui qui semblait dire
"Je rai besoin de rien"
À ceux qui t'écoutaient
Quand tu parlais si bien de liberté
These lyrics are from the song "Appendice soyez bon pour le poète" by Georges Moustaki. The song is a nostalgic reflection on the past and a call to return to one's artistic and free-spirited self.
In the first paragraph, Moustaki urges the listener to pick up their old guitar, which is metaphorically described as hanging on "the nail of your memory" and neglected. The guitar represents the creative outlet and companion that accompanied the singer in their past life as a street musician. It symbolizes a connection to their artistic self and passion for music.
The second paragraph refers to the listener's old blue jeans, which they wore during difficult times in the artist quarter of St-Germain-des-Prés. This symbolizes a return to a simpler and more humble existence, a reminder of the times when they had nothing but their art. It suggests that by returning to this past state, they may rediscover their true self and artistic inspiration.
The third paragraph speaks of the listener's old pencil, which occasionally gave them the inspiration to write or draw on paper napkins. This represents a reminder of their aspirations to be a poet, to create and express themselves artistically. It underscores the singer's belief that there was a time when the listener truly embraced their potential as a poet, and by returning to this state of mind, they can reclaim their artistic fervor.
The fourth paragraph suggests that the listener should take the road that goes beyond Italy, to countries where their friends live and where the weather is warmer. This signifies a call to leave behind the familiarity and constraints of their current surroundings and embark on a journey to reconnect with their community of like-minded individuals. By retracing their steps to a time when they sought adventure and a sense of freedom, they can reignite their creative spark and find inspiration again.
The refrain at the end of each paragraph emphasizes the importance of reclaiming one's smile and serene look, as these facial expressions reflected a sense of contentment and self-sufficiency. They convey the message that the artist does not need anything external to find fulfillment. By embracing their true self and speaking eloquently about freedom, the listener can recapture their artistic spirit and inspire others. Ultimately, the lyrics of this song encourage the listener to return to their artistic roots, reignite their passion, and embrace a life of creative freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Reprends ta vieille guitare
Take your old guitar back
Celle qui est accrochée
The one that is hanging
Au clou de ta mémoire
On the nail of your memory
Que tu n'as plus touchée
That you haven't touched anymore
Celle qui t'accompagnait
The one that accompanied you
Jadis quand tu faisais la manche
In the old days when you busked
Remets ton vieux blue-jean
Put on your old blue jeans again
Celui que tu portais au temps de la débine
The one you wore in tough times
À St-Germain-des-Prés celui que tu mettais
In St-Germain-des-Prés, the one you wore
Jadis quand tu n'avais rien d'autre
In the old days when you had nothing else
Ressors ton vieux crayon
Take out your old pencil
Celui qui te donnait parfois l'inspiration
The one that sometimes gave you inspiration
D'écrire ou dessiner
To write or draw
Sur les nappes en papier
On the paper napkins
Jadis quand tu te croyais poète
In the old days when you thought you were a poet
Reprends la route qui va
Take the road that goes
Plus loin que l'Italie
Farther than Italy
Vers des pays moins froids
To countries less cold
Où vivent tes amis la route que tu suivais
Where your friends live, the road you used to follow
Jadis quand tu prenais le large
In the old days when you set sail
Et reprends ton sourire et ton regard serein
And take back your smile and serene look
Celui qui semblait dire
The one that seemed to say
Je rai besoin de rien
I don't need anything
À ceux qui t'écoutaient
To those who listened to you
Quand tu parlais si bien de liberté
When you spoke so well about freedom
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gerald Viredaz
Soyez bon pour le Poète,
Le plus doux des animaux.
Nous prêtant son coeur, sa tête,
Incorporant tous nos maux,
Il se fait notre jumeau;
Au désert de l'épithète,
Il précède les prophètes
Sur son douloureux chameau;
Il fréquente très honnête,
La misère et ses tombeaux,
Donnant pour nous, bonne bête,
Son pauvre corps aux corbeaux;
Il traduit en langue nette
Nos infinitésimaux.
Ah! donnons-lui, pour sa fête,
La casquette d'interprète !
Jules Supervielle, Poèmes de l'humour triste