Un Homme Debout Lyrics in English Claudio Capéo

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Un Homme Debout by Claudio Capéo from French to English.

If I fall asleep, will you wake me up?

It's so cold outside, do you feel it?

There was a time when I was like you

Despite all my troubles, I stay a man standing

Pray I make it, pray I get better

Don't blame me, don't close the door on me

Yeah, I live day to day, from squat to squat, a troubadour

If I sing it's so somebody looks at me, even just a quick 'Hello'

I watch you pass while I'm sitting, you're on your feet, in a rush, I appreciate it

A quick glance, a quick smile, they don't take time, they just run

If I fall asleep, will you wake me up?

It's so cold outside, do you feel it?

There was a time when I was like you

Despite all my troubles, I stay a man standing

Lala-la-lala-lala-la

Thanks a lot for the coin, right now it's hard, I confess

I don't know if I'm gonna make it, I admit it

One day have a roof, an address

Even between you and me, it's tough, I'm stressed

Morale isn't always good, time's running out

But hey, what can I do? Except booze as a future

And promises, you want some?

That's my life, I've taken blows to the face

Be sure that if I hit the ground

Everybody passes, but nobody flinches

Honestly, apart from the kids who stare at me strangely

Everybody thinks it's normal that I beg

Don't be mad, but sometimes I just wanna give up

If I fall asleep, will you wake me up?

It's so cold outside, do you feel it?

There was a time when I was like you

Despite all my troubles, I stay a man standing

Pray I make it, pray I get better

Don't blame me, don't close the door on me

If I fall asleep, will you wake me up?

It's so cold outside, do you feel it?

There was a time when I was like you

Despite all my troubles, I stay a man standing

If I fall asleep, will you wake me up?

It's so cold outside, do you feel it?

There was a time when I was like you

Despite all my troubles, I stay a man standing

Lala-la-lala-lala-la

Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Frederic Goualard, Jean-Pascal Anziani, Mamadou Niakate, Ricardo Cessaut, Sylvain Hagopian

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SONG MEANING

Picture this: a bustling French sidewalk, footsteps echoing, everyone hurrying past… until a raspy accordion and a warm voice pull you in. Un Homme Debout (“A Man Still Standing”) slips you into the worn shoes of someone living on the streets. Claudio Capéo sings from the perspective of a modern troubadour who asks simple, heartbreaking questions: “Will you wake me if I fall asleep? Do you feel how cold it is?” Despite the chilly nights, empty pockets, and polite indifference he meets, the narrator keeps his dignity and hope alive.

The song’s core message is a rallying cry for empathy. Capéo reminds us that homelessness can happen to anyone, that every passer-by holds the power of a smile, a coin, or even just a “Bonjour.” With its catchy la-la-las and upbeat accordion, the track turns a difficult topic into an anthem of resilience—showing that, no matter the hardship, “je reste un homme debout” – “I’m still standing.”

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Claudio Capéo Un Homme Debout Lyrics