Supplique Pour Être Enterré Sur La Plage de Sète

Georges Brassens' song "Supplique Pour Être Enterré Sur La Plage de Sète" is a poignant and whimsical reflection on death and the artist's final wishes. Brassens, known for his poetic and often humorous lyrics, uses this song to express his desire to be buried on the beach of Sète, a coastal town in the south of France. The song is rich with imagery and metaphors, blending a light-hearted tone with deeper existential musings.

The lyrics begin with Brassens addressing Death, personified as "La Camarde," who has never forgiven him for bringing beauty into the world. This sets the stage for his contemplation of mortality and his unique request for his final resting place. He imagines his body being transported back to Sète, where he wishes to be buried near the sea, surrounded by the natural beauty and the memories of his youth. The beach represents a place of joy and freedom, contrasting with the somberness typically associated with death.

Brassens' request to be buried "juste au bord de la mer à deux pas des flots bleus" (just at the edge of the sea, a few steps from the blue waves) is both literal and metaphorical. It reflects his desire to remain connected to the elements and the carefree spirit of his youth. He reminisces about his first love and the playful moments of his adolescence, infusing the song with a sense of nostalgia. The mention of Neptune, the god of the sea, and the humorous anecdote about a shipwreck captain prioritizing wine and pastis over safety, further illustrate Brassens' irreverent and joyful approach to life and death.

The song also pays homage to the poet Paul Valéry, whose own tomb overlooks the sea in Sète. Brassens humbly acknowledges Valéry's superior poetic talent but wishes for a more "marin" (maritime) cemetery. He envisions his grave as a place of charm and simplicity, where beachgoers might use it as a changing screen and children might see it as a sandcastle. This whimsical imagery underscores Brassens' desire for his death to be as unpretentious and joyful as his life. The song concludes with a reflection on the futility of grandiose tombs, suggesting that true peace and happiness lie in a simple, eternal vacation by the sea.