Humbly he came
Moustaki Georges Lyrics


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Humbly he came
Nobody knew his name
He was so poorly dressed
Looking for a place to rest
Because his feet were bare
They didn't really care

Humbly he came
Nobody knew his name
The words he said were good
But no one understood
Thought some of them received
So very few believed

Humbly he came
Nobody knew his name
Just asked for wine and bread
Somewhere to lay his head
But he asked for so much more
From the rich and from the poor

So humbly he came
His leaving was the same
Like a ship without a crew
A stranger passing through
He left the way he came
Nobody cried his name

Humbly he came
And never came again
It happened long ago
Now they would not let him go
Women wear their nicest dress
As for a much awaited guest

Children call him by his name
Invite him to their game
Men keep a glass of wine
To celebrate that time
They will feast and sing and then
They will love and love and love again

Humbly he came
Nobody knew his name




Humbly he came
And never came again

Overall Meaning

The song "Humbly he came" describes the arrival and departure of a mysterious stranger that nobody knew. He was poorly dressed and arrived asking for a place to rest and wine and bread. The stranger spoke good words, but very few people understood or believed him. He was ignored and forgotten just as easily as he arrived. However, with time, people began to look forward to his return, preparing for him by wearing their nicest dress, inviting him to play games with their children, and keeping a glass of wine to celebrate his visit.


The lyrics allude to the story of Jesus Christ, who humbly arrived in Bethlehem, born in a manger, and lived a life of simplicity, preaching good words that few people understood or believed. The song suggests that even though Jesus was initially ignored and rejected, his teachings and spirit eventually won over the hearts of people, causing them to look forward to his return and celebrate his life.


Line by Line Meaning

Humbly he came
He arrived without any grandeur or attention


Nobody knew his name
He was not famous or well-known


He was so poorly dressed
He was not wearing expensive or fashionable clothes


Looking for a place to rest
He was in search of a place to relax and stay for a while


Because his feet were bare
His feet were not covered by shoes or socks


They didn't really care
People did not pay much attention to him


The words he said were good
His message was positive and inspiring


But no one understood
Few people comprehended or appreciated his words


Thought some of them received
A few people accepted and understood his message


So very few believed
Only a small amount of people accepted and had faith in his words


Just asked for wine and bread
His simple request was for basic food and drink


Somewhere to lay his head
He was in need of a place to sleep and rest


But he asked for so much more
His true desires and needs went beyond just physical necessities


From the rich and from the poor
He sought help and support from all people, regardless of their wealth or status


His leaving was the same
He departed humbly and quietly


Like a ship without a crew
He left without any companions or followers


A stranger passing through
He was simply a traveler, unknown to the people he encountered


He left the way he came
He departed in the same unassuming manner as when he arrived


Nobody cried his name
There was no mourning or sadness when he left


And never came again
He did not return, and was not seen by those people again


It happened long ago
The events described in the song occurred in the past


Now they would not let him go
People would not turn him away if he were to return now


Women wear their nicest dress
Women dress up in their best attire to welcome him


As for a much awaited guest
They anticipate his arrival like that of an important visitor or guest


Children call him by his name
The younger generation knows who he is and refers to him by name


Invite him to their game
Children happily include him and want him to join in their playtime


Men keep a glass of wine
Adults have a drink prepared to offer him in celebration


To celebrate that time
They want to honor and recognize the significance of his previous visit


They will feast and sing and then
They plan to have a big gathering, with food and music, followed by


They will love and love and love again
A promise to show him love and kindness, if he were ever to return again




Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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