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.
Réfugié
Julien Clerc Lyrics
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Marcher à quatre pattes
Ou au pas de l'oie
Réfugié tu n'as plus de loi
Plus de terre ou de combat
Avoir des droits avoir un toit
Essayons un jour l'amour
Réfugié réfugié
Nous sommes tous tous tous
Des réfugiés
Bien sûr on peut oublier
Renoncer même au passé
Et abolir la mémoire
Comme on ferme un livre d'histoire
Avoir des droits avoir un toit
Essayons un jour l'amour
Le jour où chez nous tu seras chez toi
Réfugié réfugié
Nous sommes tous tous tous
Des réfugiés
Hiver printemps automne été
Nous sommes tous des réfugiés
Sur cette terre qui est notre terre
Qu'il faudra bien un jour partager
Avoir des droits avoir un toit
Essayons un jour l'amour
Le jour où chez nous tu seras chez toi
Réfugié réfugié
Nous sommes tous tous tous
Des réfugiés
Nous sommes tous tous tous
Des réfugiés
The song Réfugié (Refugee in English) by Julien Clerc portrays a strong message of empathy towards refugees who are fleeing their countries due to war, violence, or persecution. The lyrics begin by highlighting the fact that a refugee has lost everything, including his rights, land, and his ability to fight back. He is now compelled to submit himself to the mercy of others, walking on all fours, or even marching like a machine. The lyrics indicate that refugees are devoid of any laws that can protect them and have nowhere to go. At this point, the singer admits that they (the citizens) are essentially refugees too, as they are all vulnerable in some way.
The song then turns hopeful, with the singer saying that everyone deserves a roof over their head and the right to belong somewhere. They are all united in their struggle to survive and belong, and this can only be achieved through love and empathy. The lyrics suggest that refugees should not be viewed as outsiders, but as individuals who are just like everyone else, and thus, we should treat them with the respect and kindness they deserve. The singer emphasizes that we all belong to the same planet and that we must learn to share it with each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Réfugié, tu as tous les droits
As a refugee, you have the right to walk on all fours or in a forced march, and you no longer have to adhere to the law or fight for your own land.
Réfugié tu n'as plus de loi
As a refugee, you are no longer subject to any laws or regulations.
Avoir des droits avoir un toit
Everyone has the right to basic human rights like having a roof over their head.
Essayons un jour l'amour
If we try to love one another, we can make the world a better place.
Le jour où chez nous tu seras chez toi
The day when every person, including refugees, can find a home and feel at ease, is the day the world has truly succeeded.
Bien sûr on peut oublier Renoncer même au passé Et abolir la mémoire Comme on ferme un livre d'histoire
Of course, society can try to forget the past or act like it never happened, but doing so is like closing a history book and ignoring lessons that should have been learned.
Nous sommes tous tous tous Des réfugiés
We are all, no matter where we come from or where we are going, refugees in life.
Hiver printemps automne été Nous sommes tous des réfugiés Sur cette terre qui est notre terre Qu'il faudra bien un jour partager
No matter the season, no matter the time, everyone on this earth is a refugee, and we need to share its resources and take care of each other.
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.