Jean-Louis Murat – his poetic legacy
We crossed paths on numerous occasions in the 80s. I was struck by his writing style, as he claimed to be influenced by Charles Baudelaire. He most likely surpassed his master, becoming more inspired, more passionate, and remarkably modern. He left no room for chance, deeply structuring his thoughts. To realize this, there is still that document, in French, of course, called “1451,” which you will find here.
What remains when there is nothing left? Jean-Louis Murat, who left too soon, still had so much to say, so much to write, the last great poet heir to that French thought that resonated worldwide in the last century. After him, there is nothing left. Since then, the poets are elsewhere: in the USA, Japan, Brazil, Argentina. Meanwhile, France has long collapsed intellectually, being nothing more than a shadow of itself. Moreover, there was no longer any room in the media for such an artist; the press no longer showed much interest.
I remember seeing you many times, scribbling on a piece of paper, words that would later become those poetic songs you kept secret. You breathed in the places, the atmospheres, intellectualized your visions, shaping the beauty of the words until you considered the work finished.
In France, there is no longer room for poets. My friend Leo already said it in the 70s, “Poets, show your papers!” That guy was a visionary… Yes, I remember. Listen, listen how beautiful it is. I remember, Jean-Louis Murat…
And then it is said, my tribute to Jean-Louis Murat, I will only publish it in English, why? Because I share with Jean-Louis Murat this frank speech, whether it pleases or not, I am an exile, no longer recognizing myself in the country that saw me born, so I also wanted to share with you one of his most beautiful texts:
Le Col De la Croix-Morand – The Col de la Croix-Morand
Like a bitter lichen
On the side of a rock
Like a wolf beneath the Milky Way
I feel rising within me
A profound feeling
Of abandonment
Through my soul and my blood
Col de la Croix-Morand
I will keep you
When the squalls rush
At full gallop
I seek your name
I die for it, but I know
That all the hawks
Will watch over my soul
Through my soul and my blood
Col de la Croix-Morand
I will keep you
For this forgotten world
This snowy kingdom
I feel a profound sentiment
A sentiment so heavy
That it buries my love And
I will keep you
When from the valleys rise
The broken animals
Driven by migrating desire
I beg you to save
My shepherd soul I am innocent
For this forgotten world
This snowy kingdom
I feel a profound sentiment
A sentiment so heavy
That it buries my love
And I will keep you
And I will keep you
Innocent (add lib)
Jean-Louis Murat passed away on May 25, 2023. He produced twenty-five albums throughout his life, as well as six live albums. His lyrics will outlive him. He made the choice at a time when poetry was no longer selling to convey his writings through song. He was a principled man, not always agreeable but always fair, and often understood, as many poets have been throughout the centuries. I hold within me the memories of this man, pausing for a moment, paper and pen in hand, scribbling on a corner of a table… Farewell, artist!
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondant
Bayou Blue News – Bayou Blue Radio – Paris Move
