The meaning of chien in this context

Question

It seems strange that such a beautiful song should finish with the line “ In the shadow of your dog”. Chien can also be translated as charm eg avoir du chien. For what reason, therefore, is the final line not “ In the shadow of your charm”?

Accepted Answer

Hi Alan, 
If you look at the last stanza -

Laisse moi devenir = Let me become
L'ombre de ton ombre = Your shadow's shadow
L'ombre de ta main =  The shadow of your hand
L'ombre de ton chien = The shadow of your dog
Mais ... ne me quitte pas = But, don't leave me

So the poet that is Jacques Brel wants to become the shadow of  her shadow, the shadow of her hand, the shadow of her dog literally disappearing himself so that she will not leave him.
Bonne Continuation !