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.
Si Ce Jour-Là
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
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N'allez pas m'enterrer avant qu'il soit midi
Pour que le soleil puisse chauffer la terre
Où je m'en irai faire mon dernier lit
Si ce jour-là vous avez un peu de tristesse
Ne le montrez pas aux amis mangez à ma table
Jouez de la guitare et faites l'amour
Si vous avez soif allez chercher à boire
Parmi mes bouteilles millésimées
Si ce jour-là vous avez un peu de tristesse
Ne le montrez pas aux amis que mon souvenir
Soit celui d'une fête où l'on dit adieu
Sans éternel regret sans cérémonie
Et sans mines défaites à peine la gorge
Un peu serrée
Si ce jour-là… ne le montrez pas aux amis
Je pense à cela en ce mercredi treize
En voyant partir un ami bien-aimé
Il méritait mieux que cette triste messe
Et ces gens tout en noir qui l'emmenaient
Il méritait mieux que ce ciel sans tendresse
Et ces gens tout en noir qui l'emmenaient
The lyrics of Georges Moustaki's song "Si Ce Jour-Là" depict the singer's thoughts and wishes for his funeral day. The opening lines express a request to those who will be alive when he is gone, urging them not to bury him before noon so that the sun can warm the earth where he will be laid to rest. It highlights a desire for a natural and peaceful farewell.
The song continues with the singer asking that if there is any sadness on that day, it should not be shown to the friends who will gather around his table. Instead, he suggests that they play guitar and make love to the ones he loved, emphasizing the idea of celebrating life and love rather than mourning his departure.
The following stanza suggests that if they are thirsty, they should help themselves to the vintage bottles he has collected, indicating a desire for his friends to enjoy themselves and indulge in the pleasures he valued.
The final verses reiterate the plea to hide any sadness from the friends, envisioning his farewell as a joyful celebration rather than a somber ceremony. The singer reflects on the departure of a beloved friend, feeling that he deserved better than a sad mass and people dressed in black sorrowfully taking him away. He expresses a longing for a more tender and compassionate farewell, contrasting the image of a cold and emotionless sky with the affection he believes his friend deserved.
Overall, the song "Si Ce Jour-Là" presents a perspective on death that is focused on celebrating life, emphasizing the importance of joy, love, and vibrant memories rather than mourning and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Quand je serai mort vous qui serez en vie
When I am dead and you are alive
N'allez pas m'enterrer avant qu'il soit midi
Do not bury me before noon
Pour que le soleil puisse chauffer la terre
So that the sun can warm the earth
Où je m'en irai faire mon dernier lit
Where I will make my final resting place
Si ce jour-là vous avez un peu de tristesse
If on that day you feel a little sadness
Ne le montrez pas aux amis mangez à ma table
Do not show it to the friends who eat at my table
Jouez de la guitare et faites l'amour
Play the guitar and make love
À celles que j'aimais
To those whom I loved
Si vous avez soif allez chercher à boire
If you are thirsty go and get something to drink
Parmi mes bouteilles millésimées
Among my vintage bottles
Si ce jour-là vous avez un peu de tristesse
If on that day you feel a little sadness
Ne le montrez pas aux amis que mon souvenir
Do not show it to the friends so that my memory
Soit celui d'une fête où l'on dit adieu
Is that of a celebration where we bid farewell
Sans éternel regret sans cérémonie
Without eternal regret, without ceremony
Et sans mines défaites à peine la gorge
And without downcast faces, just a slightly tight throat
Un peu serrée
Slightly squeezed
Si ce jour-là… ne le montrez pas aux amis
If on that day... do not show it to the friends
Je pense à cela en ce mercredi treize
I am thinking about that on this Wednesday the thirteenth
En voyant partir un ami bien-aimé
As I watch a beloved friend depart
Il méritait mieux que cette triste messe
He deserved better than this sad mass
Et ces gens tout en noir qui l'emmenaient
And those people all in black who were taking him away
Il méritait mieux que ce ciel sans tendresse
He deserved better than this loveless sky
Et ces gens tout en noir qui l'emmenaient
And those people all in black who were taking him away
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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