In 1972, Yves Duteil had first minor hit with a song called "Virages" (English: "Turns"). Included on his 1974 debut album L'Écritoire, it shares fame with such songs as the title track and from his next album, "J'attends" (1976), "Tisserand", "Les Batignolles" (an area of Paris), etc.
His 1977 album "Tarentelle" which will become his most classic, including not only his most famous song ("Prendre Un Enfant") but also such songs as the title track, "Le Petit Pont de Bois", "Le Mur De La Prison D'En Face" which have all become classicss.
In 2001, Duteil released "Sans Attendre", more introspective than ever and with much modesty, he tackles some aspects of his life in a way that can bring a deep sight on life, understood in the light of spiritual love. In a simple way, he sings about friendship in tough times ("Les Gestes Délicats"), compassion for a father who never showed him that much affection, which never prevents Duteil to answer with love and sings all the kind words he found to his father, no matter what his childhood was like ("Lettre À Mon Père"). And probably the most touching song: "Pour Que Tu Ne Meures Pas", which deals with Yves Duteil's wife's disease.
Frédérique endormie
Yves Duteil Lyrics
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Au milieu du tumulte de ses cheveux dйfaits
Immobile dans l'amour de son pиre
Saisie en un instant au bout de son fusain, sereine, au fond d'un rкve
On dirait que d'un doigt qu'il esquisse dйjа
Elle va jouer а l'envers un air imaginaire au piano de sa vie
Frйdйrique endormie dans son autre univers
Et tranquille dans ses draps chiffonnйs
Par le premier sommeil, blottie dans la douceur, elle a trouvй la paix
Juste une enfant qui dort aux lueurs de l'aurore
Les bras enchevкtrйs, le visage йbloui d'un soleil de minuit
Frйdйrique endormie ne semble respirer
Que pour mieux savourer le bonheur de sa nuit
Seule au monde, elle est comme en voyage
Au delа de son вge, le cњur dans la musique, heureuse, elle improvise
Elle prйpare en secret dans le visage en fleur
Qui s'ouvre entre ses mains, le prйsage certain d'un sourire enfantin
Frйdйrique endormie, un visage d'enfant
Au milieu du tumulte de ses cheveux dйfaits
Immobile, dans l'amour de son pиre
Saisie en un instant, au bout de son fusain, sereine, au fond d'un rкve
Sait-il que sous les doigts qu'il esquisse dйjа sur le papier jauni
Elle va jouer au piano le plus clair de sa vie?...
Sait-il que sous les doigts qu'il esquisse dйjа sur le papier jauni
Elle va jouer au piano le plus clair de sa vie?...
"Frédérique Endormie" is a beautiful song written by Yves Duteil, which tells the story of a young girl named Frédérique asleep and in her own world. The lyrics are focused on the details of her peaceful and serene disposition. The first stanza describes her as still and relaxed with an unruly mop of hair in a state of pure love with her father. Her father has captured her likeness in charcoal, showing her timeless and peaceful as if she were in a dream. The second stanza puts emphasis on the tranquility of her sleeping and blissful world, with no fears or worries. Her face is illuminated with the light of dawn, and she is at peace with herself, and the world around her, as she dreams. She is seen as a musician, comfortable in her world of music, and improvising melodies in her dreams. She has a serene and innocent disposition that exudes joy.
The final stanza emphasizes the beauty of her father's art and how it captures her essence as a child preparing to play the piano. Her father is seen as a significant influence, inspiring her to realize her dreams, and her love for music, as she grows up. He has already captured her image on paper, and her future as a musician will be full of promise.
Overall, "Frédérique Endormie" is a tender and loving tribute to the innocence and beauty of a young child, captured in a moment of peaceful slumber. It is a reminder of the importance of cherishing and nurturing our inner child, for even as we grow older, it remains an integral part of who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Frйdйrique endormie, un visage d'enfant
A peaceful Frйdйrique, with a child's face
Au milieu du tumulte de ses cheveux dйfaits
Among the chaos of her untied hair
Immobile dans l'amour de son pиre
Still, surrounded by her father's love
Saisie en un instant au bout de son fusain, sereine, au fond d'un rкve
Captured in a moment, depicted by her father's charcoal, peaceful in a dreamlike state
On dirait que d'un doigt qu'il esquisse dйjа
It seems as if already he is sketching with his finger
Elle va jouer а l'envers un air imaginaire au piano de sa vie
She will play an imaginary tune in reverse on the piano of her life
Frйdйrique endormie dans son autre univers
Frйdйrique asleep in her other world
Sans peur et sans hiver, semble toucher le ciel
Without fear or winter, she seems to touch the sky
Et tranquille dans ses draps chiffonnйs
And calm in her crumpled sheets
Par le premier sommeil, blottie dans la douceur, elle a trouvй la paix
In her first sleep, cuddled in softness, she has found peace
Juste une enfant qui dort aux lueurs de l'aurore
Just a child sleeping through the dawn
Les bras enchevкtrйs, le visage йbloui d'un soleil de minuit
With arms intertwined, her face illuminated by midnight sun
Frйdйrique endormie ne semble respirer
Frйdйrique asleep, not seeming to breathe
Que pour mieux savourer le bonheur de sa nuit
But to better savor the happiness of her night
Seule au monde, elle est comme en voyage
Alone in the world, she is like on a journey
Au delа de son вge, le cњur dans la musique, heureuse, elle improvise
Beyond her years, her heart in the music, happy, she improvises
Elle prйpare en secret dans le visage en fleur
Secretly preparing in her blossoming face
Qui s'ouvre entre ses mains, le prйsage certain d'un sourire enfantin
That opens between her hands, the certain sign of a childlike smile
Sait-il que sous les doigts qu'il esquisse dйjа sur le papier jauni
Does he know that under the fingers he is already sketching on yellowed paper
Elle va jouer au piano le plus clair de sa vie?...
She will play the clearest piano in her life?...
Sait-il que sous les doigts qu'il esquisse dйjа sur le papier jauni
Does he know that under the fingers he is already sketching on yellowed paper
Elle va jouer au piano le plus clair de sa vie?...
She will play the clearest piano in her life?...
Contributed by Logan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.