Projet Brassens' page of
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GEORGES BRASSENS' LYRICS
Georges Brassens tackled a wide range of subjects. His 191 published songs cover almost anything you can think of, from his favourite tree to the perils of living with a DIY fanatic. Brassens also popularised French poetry by setting it to music.
Here is a small selection of Georges Brassens' lyrics, to give you a taste.
These next two songs are greatly contrasting, but there's an unexpected link between them. Le bistrot is the story of the worst bar in Paris, with undrinkable wine served by an utterly disgusting barman. The punters flock there....to see the barman's wife. She's gorgeous, but cold as ice. What a waste; life is unfair....
Ballade des dames du temps jadis (Ballade of the ladies of old) is a poem written in the fifteenth century by François Villon, set to music by Brassens. The poet asks, where are all those great, wise, beautiful and talented women who gained fame in years gone by, where are they now? He concludes, well, you may as well ask: "Where are the snows of yesteryear?" Those of you who know Joseph Heller's book 'Catch-22' will recognise this line as the source of the book's oft-repeated catchphrase.
La marine (The Navy) is a poem by Paul Fort set to music by Georges Brassens. Les copains d'abord (Friends First) is one of the most well-known popular songs in France, often sung at the end of parties after much wine has flowed. It's also the name of a small boat from the port of Sète in southern France, Brassens' birthplace: an oft-reproduced photo shows Brassens and friends happily posing on board. Altesse (Your Highness) is a short philosophical poem by Victor Hugo, set to music, but never recorded, by Georges Brassens. Bonhomme illuminates an aspect of love rarely dealt with in song. We are told that Brassens shut the song away in a drawer for some years, thinking that no-one would want to listen to this theme. In Projet Brassens' recording of Bonhomme on the CD La marine, we try to convey the atmosphere of the winter forest, with the bitingly cold wind.
Le testament (Last will and testament). We thank Eric Butterworth for the English song version of Brassens' chanson shown via this link. For the complete French lyrics, you can obtain the paperback edition of "Georges Brassens Poèmes et Chansons" from us. Other books are available, in English and French, about Georges Brassens and his songs. See our sales page for full details. |
ORIGINAL ENGLISH AND FRENCH SONGS
mp3 (studio recording by Shelly Studios House Band) English and French lyrics Score mp3 (Projet Brassens Quartet live 2004) English and French lyrics English lyrics and literal French translation Score Lesley Lawn interpreted Maxine's English lyrics to create the French version. Nicholas Perrot provided the literal French translation, which is intended to convey the song's meaning, not to be sung. An instrumental version of this song is on the CD Slotang. mp3 (Hearnshaw/Green duo, studio recording) English and French lyrics English lyrics and literal French translation Score Alan Tabor interpreted Charlie's English lyrics to create the French version. We salute Alan's skill. Thanks also to Jean Tanguy, ex-navigation officer aboard a French Navy Fisheries Protection Vessel, for his advice on the French nautical terms. And to Guy and Christine Mottier for their comments. Lesley Lawn provided the literal French translation, which is intended to convey the song's meaning, not to be sung. This song is on the CD Sailing By. French lyrics and English translation Score (pdf file) Charlie's Hearnshaw's tune for this song has a medieval touch, making musical reference to Brassens' extensive knowledge of old French poetry. Charlie also includes a musical element often used by Brassens (and commonly found in jazz tunes), changing keys within the song. This song is on the CD Le vent. mp3 (Hearnshaw/Green duo live 2004) Lyrics Score Charlie Hearnshaw set to music this French jeu de mots poem by Englishwoman Lesley Lawn. Score & French lyrics, plus comments by Lesley Lawn. Score and French lyrics in pdf format mp3 (Hearnshaw/Green duo live 2004) Lyrics Score Maxine Green's song inspired by the style of a country-rock anthem heard on France Musique radio in spring 2005, during the time of a technicians' strike, when the station broadcast a continuous stream of widely differing songs and tunes instead of their regular programmes. Lyrics Score mp3 soundclip (Hearnshaw/Green duo live 2004) Lyrics Score Lyrics mp3 (Projet Brassens Quartet live 2004) English and French lyrics Score |
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