Allwright traveled to France in the early 1950's and married Catherine Dasté. His son Christophe Allwright, is a French comedian.
In the early '60s, Allwright sang at a number of clubs in Paris, folk music that was very big in the 60s. He wrote his own music, and created the French language versions of many songs by US and Canadian artists like Tom Paxton ("Sacrée Bouteille" "Qu'as tu appris à l'école?"), Leonard Cohen ("Suzanne") and Pete Seeger ("Jusqu' à la ceinture").
His earlier music focused more on social protest songs. As he matured as an artist, his songs became more personal, and his choice in material included more funny songs, songs with a mystical bent ("Garder le Souvenir", "Lumière"), and songs about the complexities of relationships ("No Man's Land"). Some of his songs are in English, but the vast majority are in French.
He has travelled extensively, to the Himalayas, Réunion Island, and Madascar, among other places. He was strongly influenced by the Indian master and teacher Sri Aurobino, which is reflected in the mystical qualities of some of his songs.
In 2005, he wrote new lyrics for the French National Anthem, "La Marseillaise".
La Berceuse Du Clochard
Graeme Allwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bercé par les cahots du train
Et laisser défiler les gares
Tu dormiras jusqu'à demain.
Au loin tu vois passer les villes
Où riches et pauvres font dodo
Dans ton wagon t'es bien tranquille
Et si les flics te collent aux fesses
Les flics, vois-tu, il y en a partout
Mais si le ciel tient ses promesses
Au ciel il y a plus de flics du tout.
T'inquiète pas si l'on te lance
T'es qu'un clodo, fous-moi le camp
Car pour ta mère, seul, je pense
Tu seras toujours son enfant.
Tu peux dormir, tu en as marre
Bercé par les cahots du train
Et laisser défiler les gares
Tu dormiras jusqu'à demain
The song "La Berceuse Du Clochard" by Graeme Allwright tells the story of a homeless person who finds refuge on a train, where he is able to sleep soundly. The lyrics reassure the singer, telling him that he can sleep and rest, and that there is no need to worry about the police or insults from others. The singer speaks to the homeless person, telling him that he is still a child to his mother and that he can find comfort in the sound of the train and the passing scenery.
The song highlights the struggles of homelessness and the societal stigma attached to it. The singer is constantly on the move, unable to find a permanent home or comfortable bed. The song conveys a sense of empathy and understanding towards the plight of the homeless, acknowledging their humanity and right to sleep peacefully.
Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on the issue of homelessness and the need for compassion and understanding towards those who are less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu peux dormir, tu en as marre
You can sleep because you're tired
Bercé par les cahots du train
The movement of the train is soothing
Et laisser défiler les gares
And let the train stations pass by
Tu dormiras jusqu'à demain.
You will sleep until tomorrow.
Au loin tu vois passer les villes
In the distance, you see cities passing by
Où riches et pauvres font dodo
Where rich and poor sleep
Dans ton wagon t'es bien tranquille
In your wagon, you're well at ease
Et tu pourras dormir au chaud.
And you can sleep in warmth.
Et si les flics te collent aux fesses
And if the cops are after you
Les flics, vois-tu, il y en a partout
Cops, you see, are everywhere
Mais si le ciel tient ses promesses
But if the sky keeps its promises
Au ciel il y a plus de flics du tout.
There are no cops in the sky.
T'inquiète pas si l'on te lance
Don't worry if someone throws something at you
T'es qu'un clodo, fous-moi le camp
'You're just a bum, get out of here'
Car pour ta mère, seul, je pense
Because to your mother, you're still her child.
Tu seras toujours son enfant.
You will always be her child.
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GILOT Eric
Plus de 30 ans que j'écoute graeme allwright, toujours les mêmes frissons ...
Jean Meslier
Magnifique... Quelle émotion de réécouter ce beau texte alors qu'on vient d'annoncer la disparition définitive de Graeme Allwright... R.I.P.
A Bilusis
Encore une merveilleuse chanson que je ne connaissais pas MERCI
Guy Watrin
un album trop méconnu...respect Graeme!
eric Dussaucy
Il. Faudrait bien réécouter ces belles chansons ! Ressortir tous ces albums : CD ou vinyles ou même que les chanteurs actuels les reprennent avec les sonorités de l'époque de Graeme Allwrigth💓👍👌🐦M-Paule Dussaucy
couscous taboule
je ne connaissais pas cette chanson mais je l'aime.merci graeme a&llwright!!!!
Vadim Mikhailyuk
J'adore cette album
Catherine Grœné
Reste avec nous Cher Graeme Allwright
Nirina Ramangasalama
Belle berceuse.
Jean-Patrick Bladet
Sur des paroles de Goebel Reeves et sur une musique de Georges Frederick Root