The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #23203 Message #1088836
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
08-Jan-04 - 02:27 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Miserlou
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miserlou
The usual spelling, outside USA, is "Misirlu." Information in websites all seems anecdotal. The Wheat in the Barley call it an "ancient Arabic" melody on their cd. The Greeks use it for a circle dance. Greek words (in our alphabet) at www.sacredcircles.com/THEDANCE/HTML/DANCEPAG/MISERLOU.HTM Greek and French at this Canadian site: www.cvm.qc.ca/mlandry/folklore/Misirlou-ch.htm . Here the Americanized song form (Nicholas Roubanis, sheet music) is said to be based on the Greek: www.arkmay.com/esphere/song_info3.php?song=Miserlou There are two distinctly separate modes; the dance, and the slow, exotic music of the love poem (the inspiration for the Roubanis song "Miserlou," as sung by Carol Bruce).