Born on the 24th August 1916 in Monaco, Ferré mixed lyricism with slang; love with anarchy. He took a central place in the world of French song. He was involved in anarchism, and worked with Radio Libertaire, an anarchist free-radio broadcasting in Paris and around France. He died on the 14th July 1993.
Ni Dieu Ni Maître
Léo Ferré Lyrics
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Qu'on fume à l'aube démocrate
Et le remords des cous-de-jatte
Avec la peur qui tend la patte
Le ministère de ce prêtre
Et la pitié à la fenêtre
Et le client qui n'a peut-être
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Le fardeau blême qu'on emballe
Comme un paquet vers les étoiles
Et cette rose sans pétale
Qui tombe froide sur la dalle
Cet avocat à la serviette
Cette aube qui met la voilette
Pour des larmes qui n'ont peut-être
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Ces bois que l'on dit de justice
Et qui poussent dans les supplices
Et pour meubler le Sacrifice
Avec le sapin de service
Cette procédure qui guette
Ceux que la Société rejette
Sous prétexte qu'ils n'ont peut-être
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Cette parole d'évangile
Qui fait plier les imbéciles
Et qui met dans l'horreur civile
De la noblesse et puis du style
Ce cri qui n'a pas la rosette
Cette parole de prophète
Je la revendique et vous souhaite
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
The lyrics of Léo Ferré's song "Ni dieu ni maître" express a strong feeling of rebellion against the societal norms and conventions that govern human life. The first verse talks about the cigarette, smoked without a tie in a democratic morning, and the remorse of the legless beggars, pointing to the hypocrisy of political parties and their false promises. The fear that extends its hand in one's direction and the minister's office that represents the crux of religious authority that denies individual liberty, while compassion left at the window mocks the very concept of humanity. The client who may be sincere about his claim, also denies any allegiance to a master or God, thereby professing an independent and liberating spirit.
In the second verse, the song deals with other aspects of life that reflect helplessness, tragedy, and injustice. The burden that one carries like a package towards the stars, the rose without petals that falls cold on the pavement, the attorney with his briefcase, and the dawn that covers the sadness, all pointing towards themes of loss, misery, and frustration. The words 'Ni Dieu ni Maître' become a rallying cry against all forms of oppression.
In the third and final verse, the lyrics speak of the trees of justice that grow in the midst of agony, the use of wood to furnish sacrifice, and the procedures that are eagerly waiting for those who are rejected by society. Here, the song denounces the legal framework that robs people of their fundamental rights and the institutionalized injustice carried out for centuries in the name of religion and the state. The last line of the song, "Je la revendique et vous souhaite/Ni Dieu Ni maître" (I claim it and wish it for you, neither God nor Master) becomes a call to arms for humanity to break free from the shackles of authority and embrace liberation and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
La cigarette sans cravate
Smoking a cigarette without adhering to social norms or expectations
Qu'on fume à l'aube démocrate
Enjoying a cigarette during a time of societal change and political liberation
Et le remords des cous-de-jatte
Feeling regret and guilt for societal prejudice against those with disabilities
Avec la peur qui tend la patte
Feeling fear and vulnerability in a society where one's worth is often determined by their ability to conform
Le ministère de ce prêtre
The hypocritical and oppressive nature of organized religion
Et la pitié à la fenêtre
The empty, judgmental nature of societal pity
Et le client qui n'a peut-être
The marginalized individual who may not have access to traditional sources of power or authority
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Rejecting the confines of societal norms and authority
Le fardeau blême qu'on emballe
The heavy burden carried by those who do not conform to societal standards
Comme un paquet vers les étoiles
The struggle to rise above societal expectations and pursue one's own path
Et cette rose sans pétale
The emptiness and lack of fulfillment that accompanies conformity to societal norms
Qui tombe froide sur la dalle
The cold, harsh reality of societal rejection for those who do not conform
Cet avocat à la serviette
The corrupt and oppressive nature of the justice system
Cette aube qui met la voilette
The oppressive societal norms that restrict personal freedom
Pour des larmes qui n'ont peut-être
The emotional pain and suffering of those who do not conform to societal norms
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Rejecting the constraints of societal expectations and oppression
Ces bois que l'on dit de justice
The façade of justice in societal institutions
Et qui poussent dans les supplices
The growth and support of societal norms that are perpetuated through oppressive measures
Et pour meubler le Sacrifice
The continued sacrifice of those who do not conform to societal expectations and norms
Avec le sapin de service
The emptiness and superficiality of societal norms
Cette procédure qui guette
The oppressive and bureaucratic nature of societal structures
Ceux que la Société rejette
The individuals marginalized and rejected by societal norms and expectations
Sous prétexte qu'ils n'ont peut-être
Justified by societal norms that deem certain individuals as not worthy of respect or dignity
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Rejecting societal norms and authority that perpetuate marginalization and oppression
Cette parole d'évangile
The message of liberation and personal agency found in the Gospels
Qui fait plier les imbéciles
The powerful message that challenges and undermines oppressive societal norms and expectations
Et qui met dans l'horreur civile
The fear and unease felt by those in power when faced with messages of liberation and personal agency
De la noblesse et puis du style
The liberating message that emphasizes personal agency and creativity over conformity and societal expectations
Ce cri qui n'a pas la rosette
The message of liberation and personal agency that is not recognized or celebrated by societal institutions
Cette parole de prophète
The powerful message of liberation and personal agency that challenges societal norms and expectations
Je la revendique et vous souhaite
Embracing and uplifting the message of liberation and personal agency
NI DIEU NI MAITRE
Rejecting societal norms and authority that perpetuate marginalization and oppression
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marcperigot5802
Ah, Léo le Grand! Tu nous manque quand on allume la radio, et surtout quand on ouvre le journal...Que sont devenus les rebelles?
@sophiegrandcoing2957
Kery James. keny Arkana rockin .. ✊
@christianderbuel8750
Ferré, Ferrat, Brel, Brassens, Barbara....vous nous manquez terriblement...Que de belles et grandes émotions en vous écoutant !
@jeanroux8609
Brel
@ax9275
@@jeanroux8609 Brel
@jeantournier3190
Becaud
@christianderbuel8750
@@jeantournier3190 bien sur, Becaud, bien sûr !.
Désolé d'avoir oublié de citer son nom
@jadorelesjonquilles984
.
Orelsan
@dominiquefillon1067
Revient Leo !!! Un tel poète quand je vois tout le cirque après la mort de Johnny... lui leo est parti en catimini il n'y en a pas un sur cent et pourtant ils existent !!!
@claudettebatoufflet8943
Merci ❤ leo tu reste dans mon cœur ❤ ❤ ❤