Paul-Alain Leclerc, popularly known as Julien Clerc (born October 4, 1947 i… Read Full Bio ↴Paul-Alain Leclerc, popularly known as Julien Clerc (born October 4, 1947 in Paris) is a prominent French singer, pianist, and composer.

His father was a UNESCO employee and his mother is from Guadeloupe. Many of the chansons he sings were written by Étienne Roda-Gil, a long time collaborator. His brother, Gérard Leclerc, is a political commentator on France 2.

For a time he was involved with French actress Miou-Miou, who in 1978 bore him a daughter, Jeanne Herry. Like her father, Jeanne has pursued a career in show business, albeit as an actress and comedian rather than as a singer.

Julien Clerc owes his fame in France to his leading role in the 1969 French language adaptation of the musical Hair. Since then he has sung a great many popular songs, and is generally considered one of the greatest francophone musicians of his generation. In 2003, he was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees after transferring the rights to his hugely popular song, Partir, to the UN.

Je dors avec elle
Julien Clerc Lyrics

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Oiseaux rapaces
Quand elle passe
Perdez sa trace
Depuis tout là-haut

Oiseaux en chasse
Fendez l'espace
Je dors avec elle

Je dors dans ses ailes
Ce soir

Oiseaux sauvages
Tournez la page
De mes voyages
Avions et bateaux
Dans cette cage
Comme une plage
Je dors avec elle
Je dors dans ses ailes

Oiseaux volages
Qui dans les nuages
Faites ménages
Alouettes et corbeaux
Ce jour s'achève
À la gare du rêve
Je dors avec elle
Je dors dans ses ailes

Oiseaux fidèles
Pliez vos ailes
C'est la plus belle
Du ciel et de l'eau
Dans cette cage
Comme une plage
Je dors avec elle
Je dors dans ses ailes
Ce soir

Oiseaux rapaces
Oiseaux en chasse
Oiseaux sauvages
Depuis tout là-haut

Oiseaux volages
Oiseaux fidèles
Je dors avec elle
Je dors dans ses ailes
Ce soir

Je dors dans ses ailes
Ce soir

Overall Meaning

The song "Je dors avec elle" by Julien Clerc talks about the singer's relationship with a woman who provides him with a sense of safety and comfort, like sleeping in her wings. Throughout the song, different types of birds are mentioned, each with their own attributes, symbolizing different aspects of the singer's emotions and experiences.

At the beginning of the song, "oiseaux rapaces" (birds of prey) lose her trace when she passes, implying that she is someone who cannot be tamed or controlled. However, as the song progresses, the birds mentioned become more gentle and domestic, such as "oiseaux fidèles" (loyal birds). This symbolizes the singer's growing sense of security and trust in the woman he is sleeping with.

The metaphor of sleeping in her wings is noteworthy because it not only suggests a physical closeness but also an emotional one. Wings represent freedom and protection, and by sleeping in them, the singer is finding both in the woman he desires. There is also a contrast between the freedom represented by the birds mentioned and the singer's feeling of being caged but still finding a sense of freedom in the woman he is with.

Overall, the song portrays a sense of longing for someone who can provide a sense of security and freedom in a world that can often feel confining and unpredictable.

Line by Line Meaning

Oiseaux rapaces
Predatory birds

Quand elle passe
When she passes by

Perdez sa trace
Lose her trail

Depuis tout là-haut
From way up high

Oiseaux en chasse
Hunting birds

Fendez l'espace
Cut through the air

Je dors avec elle
I sleep with her

Je dors dans ses ailes
I sleep in her wings

Ce soir
This evening

Oiseaux sauvages
Wild birds

Tournez la page
Turn the page