A tribute for a Humanist
Jean Ferrat died on March 13th 2010 in his hometown, Antraigues-sur-Volane (Ardèche). This famous singer was very successful in the 50's, 60's and 70's. As a convinced communist, Jean Ferrat was a humanist and a poet. He sang poems by Louis Aragon, one of his best friend. He began his career in 1956 with « Les yeux d'Elsa ». His first success was « Ma môme » in 1961. He was one of the first singer who was censored with « Nuit et brouillard », a text which spoke about deportation. Besides 200 texts, he wrote for Isabelle Aubret or Juliette Greco.
He blamed the communist dictatorship with « Camarade » and « Le Bilan ». He wrote several very beautiful love songs like « La femme est l'avenir de l'homme », « Que serais-je sans toi? », « Heureux celui qui meurt d'aimer ».As a discreet men, he stopped touring in France in 1972. Great friend of Jean Yanne, he stayed one of the most popular singer and appreciated personality by french people. With his title « La montagne », he showed his love about his county and nature, a sense of tradition and a respect of values. His album in 2008 was one of the best sales in the country.
In order to say farewell to this monument of poetry and music, the last of Ferré's , Brassens' and Brel's generation, one of his only song that spoke about death: « J'arrive où je suis étranger ».
Rien n'est précaire comme vivre
Rien comme être n'est passager
C'est un peu fondre comme le givre
Et pour le vent être léger
J'arrive ou je suis étranger
L. M.
Dimitrou