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.
Le mur de lierre
Yves Duteil Lyrics
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Il s'est couvert de lierre et dans mon coeur, au plus profond.
Plus jamais ne repoussent l'ortie ni le chardon.
La vie devient plus douce et de l'hiver jusqu'aux moissons.
Plus jamais ne repoussent ni ne repousseront
Les ronces ni la mousse, ni le liseron.
Mon rкve et mes chimиres, c'est faire des chansons
Plus tendre est la bergиre, plus belle est la chanson
Plus claire est ma riviиre et plus sereine est ma maison.
Le bonheur et le lierre s'accrochent а la maison.
Ni philtres ni sorciиres ne nous sйpareront.
Si l'on bвt** la terre sans coeur et sans passion
Il n'en restera guиre au fil des jours et des saisons.
Il reste de naguиre les pierres et les chansons.
Je n'ai que ma clairiиre et ton regard pour horizon.
Je veux t'aimer, bergиre, а perdre la raison
Et faire un mur de lierre au mur de pierres de la maison.
The song “Le mur de lierre” by Yves Duteil begins with the first verse talking about a house that is covered by ivy. The metaphorical meaning behind this is that the house has become a permanent fixture in the singer's heart, it has taken root in his soul. No longer will weeds like nettles and thistles grow, nor will brambles or creeping vines grow. The singer’s life has now become more pleasant, and there is an air of optimism that will keep going through winter and into the harvesting season. This eternal situation is due to the fact that neither weeds nor vines will grow on the newly built wall of ivy. It symbolizes the purity of the union that exists in the heart of the singer and his home.
The second verse introduces the theme of the singer’s dream of writing songs, but his true happiness is found within his home. The more tender the shepherdess, the more beautiful the song. The singer's peace of mind is obtained by bringing everything to light and resolving issues in his house. The happiness that the singer has is caught up in the ivy that grips the house. No spells or witches can come between the singer and his house. The third verse highlights that without a heart and passion, one cannot build any lasting relationships, and it is only the stones left that withstand the test of time. The song concludes with the singer saying that he has only his patch of light and her gaze, and he’s willing to love his shepherdess to lose his mind, and create a wall of ivy on the stone wall of his home.
Line by Line Meaning
Il s'est couvert de lierre, le mur de la maison.
The house's wall is now decorated with the greenery of ivies covering it.
Il s'est couvert de lierre et dans mon coeur, au plus profond.
The ivy-covered wall has also entered my heart and settled within it.
Plus jamais ne repoussent l'ortie ni le chardon.
With the ivy flourishing, the nettles and thistles have disappeared for good.
La vie devient plus douce et de l'hiver jusqu'aux moissons.
From the harsh winter until the fruitful harvest, life has become more pleasant.
Plus jamais ne repoussent ni ne repousseront
Les ronces ni la mousse, ni le liseron.
Not a single weeds or moss, or even bindweeds shall grow again.
Mon rкve et mes chimиres, c'est faire des chansons
Mais mon bonheur sur Terre, il est au coeur de ma maison.
Although my dreams are to compose music, my true happiness lies within the walls of my abode.
Plus tendre est la bergиre, plus belle est la chanson
Plus claire est ma riviиre et plus sereine est ma maison.
The gentler the shepherdess, the more enchanting the music, the clearer the river, and the more peaceful my home.
Le bonheur et le lierre s'accrochent а la maison.
Ni philtres ni sorciиres ne nous sйpareront.
Happiness and ivy intertwine with my house, and no mystical or magical means shall ever separate us.
Si l'on bвt** la terre sans coeur et sans passion
Il n'en restera guиre au fil des jours et des saisons.
If one builds the land without care and fervor, there will be little left in the passing time of days and seasons.
Il reste de naguиre les pierres et les chansons.
Je n'ai que ma clairiиre et ton regard pour horizon.
All that remains of the past are stones and music; I only have my glade and your gaze as my horizon.
Je veux t'aimer, bergиre, а perdre la raison
Et faire un mur de lierre au mur de pierres de la maison.
I want to love you, shepherdess, without a rational thought and create an ivy wall upon the stonewall of my home.
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.