He and his friends formed the country rock ensemble Abbittibbi in the 1970s. Desjardins played piano, guitar, and sang. When the group disbanded in 1982, Desjardins pursued a solo career.
He also found work scoring films, especially documentaries. This involvement in the Quebec film industry even led him to co-direct a number of feature length documentaries. As well as his singing career, he is well known for his environmental activism.
Les Nuits Arabes
Richard Desjardins Lyrics
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à flyer su' mon chameau
le turban tombé su' mes yeux.
Je m'en vas chercher de l'eau, de l'eau
d'un siau percé pour arroser
les pépites de ton coeur, de ton coeur.
The lyrics of Richard Desjardins's song "Les Nuits Arabes" depict a journey that feels as long as a thousand and one Arabian nights. The singer compares the length of their journey to the enchanting tales of the Arabian nights, evoking a sense of adventure and the unknown. The use of the image of riding a camel adds to the exoticism and sense of travel.
The line "le turban tombé su' mes yeux" suggests that the singer is in an unfamiliar and foreign environment, perhaps struggling with the new sights and sounds around them. The turban falling over their eyes can symbolize the difficulty in seeing clearly or adjusting to this new world.
As the singer continues their journey, they express the intention to find water to quench their thirst. The repetition of the word "d'eau" emphasizes the importance of this search and the desperation for something vital and life-giving. The mention of a "siau percé" (a pierced container) indicates a struggle to find enough water, as it is leaking or not sufficient to meet their needs.
In the last line, the singer mentions their intention to water "les pépites de ton coeur" (the nuggets of your heart). This can be interpreted metaphorically as a desire to nurture and nourish someone emotionally or to find something valuable within themselves or others.
Overall, "Les Nuits Arabes" portrays a sense of longing, adventure, and a search for meaning and connection in an unfamiliar world.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est long comme mille et une nuits arabes
This feels as long as a thousand and one Arabian nights
à flyer su' mon chameau
riding on my camel
le turban tombé su' mes yeux.
my turban falling over my eyes.
Je m'en vas chercher de l'eau, de l'eau
I am going to fetch water, water
d'un siau percé pour arroser
from a leaky bucket to water
les pépites de ton coeur, de ton coeur.
the precious gems of your heart, of your heart.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cote Gilles C, Richard Desjardins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind