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Origins/ADD: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Mortes

Related threads:
Autumn Leaves - public domain? (14)
Lyr/Chords Req: Autumn Leaves - Eva Cassidy (14)


Patrish(inactive) 03 May 00 - 06:08 AM
Dulci46 03 May 00 - 07:41 AM
Lanfranc 03 May 00 - 07:22 PM
simon-pierre 03 May 00 - 07:51 PM
Lanfranc 04 May 00 - 07:04 PM
GUEST,marcelloblues 04 May 00 - 07:39 PM
Malcolm Douglas 04 May 00 - 08:38 PM
Ian HP 12 May 01 - 09:31 AM
Justa Picker 12 May 01 - 09:37 AM
Ian HP 12 May 01 - 09:44 AM
GUEST,Mark Cohen (cookie problems) 12 May 01 - 06:01 PM
GUEST,Willa 12 May 01 - 06:03 PM
Mark Cohen 12 May 01 - 09:23 PM
Ian HP 15 May 01 - 03:13 PM
Helen 15 May 01 - 09:55 PM
GUEST,Chris Smith 26 Jan 14 - 07:09 AM
cptsnapper 26 Jan 14 - 07:28 AM
GUEST,Chris Smith 26 Jan 14 - 07:43 AM
Will Fly 26 Jan 14 - 08:21 AM
Q (Frank Staplin) 26 Jan 14 - 12:45 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 26 Jan 14 - 01:07 PM
Monique 26 Jan 14 - 01:32 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 27 Jan 14 - 01:46 PM
Monique 12 May 21 - 01:53 AM
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Subject: Autumn Leaves
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 03 May 00 - 06:08 AM

Hi I had a great time in Whitby at the weekend. While there, one of my friends told me he was looking for the words of song called "Autumn Leaves" he thinks that is the title. Other words include "rose he's gone now. Just like all the other young men" I wondered whether anyone out there can help?
many thanks
Patrish


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Subject: ADD: Autumn Leaves (Johnny Mercer, et al.)
From: Dulci46
Date: 03 May 00 - 07:41 AM

Hope this is the one. This is a beautiful song. Glad you asked I haven't heard this one for a while. I don't know if there is another version. This one doesn't have the words you wrote.

AUTUMN LEAVES
English Lyrics by Johnny Mercer and Music by Joseph Kosma

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hand(s) I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall



I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hand I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall


Transcribed by Ronald E. Hontz
ronhontz@worldnet.att.net

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Leaves_(1945_song)

Artist: Andy Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI5dZTZhwM8 - lyrics are an exact transcription of this recording.
Lyrics are the same in Johnny Mercer: The Life, Times, and Song Lyrics of our Huckleberry Friend, by Bob Bach & Ginger Mercer (1982) - except the book has "hands."

Performance by Stringspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_74zQOKr-d0


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves
From: Lanfranc
Date: 03 May 00 - 07:22 PM

Even better in the original French. Find a copy of "Feuilles Mortes" by Juliet Greco, if you can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPvvMabnWxo


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Subject: ADD: Autumn Leaves/Le Feuilles Mortes
From: simon-pierre
Date: 03 May 00 - 07:51 PM

LES FEUILLES MORTES
(Jacques Prévert, Music by Joseph Kosma)

Oh! je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes
Des jours heureux où nous étions amis
En ce temps-là la vie était plus belle
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui
Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié
Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Et le vent du nord les emporte
Dans la nuit froide de l'oubli
Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié
La chanson que tu me chantais

C'est une chanson qui nous ressemble
Toi, tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous les deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais, moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement, sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable
Les pas des amants désunis

Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Mais mon amour silencieux et fidèle
Sourit toujours et remercie la vie
Je t'aimais tant, tu étais si jolie
Comment veux-tu que je t'oublie
En ce temps-là, la vie était plus belle
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui
Tu étais ma plus douce amie
Mais je n'ai que faire des regrets
Et la chanson que tu chantais
Toujours, toujours je l'entendrai

This is the song that Alan Francis reffered too, but as I nerver heard the english one, I wonder if it's really a translation - the two songs seems different.

The second verse is not always sung. Lyrics are from great poet Jacques Prévert.

SP

Yves Montand recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo1C6E7jbPw

Performance by Ute Lemper (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcdn64VZzf8

Edith Piaf at Carnegie Hall, 1957: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si_bYAqWy2w


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves
From: Lanfranc
Date: 04 May 00 - 07:04 PM

Oui, Simon-Pierre, c'est ca!

The Johnny Mercer lyrics capture some of the original, but, like so many translations, fall short of the power of the Prevert lyric.

Thanks for the second verse - I normally sing one verse in English and one in French, I'll extend it next autumn.

Interesting that Mercer, an American, refers to Autumn rather than Fall!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves
From: GUEST,marcelloblues
Date: 04 May 00 - 07:39 PM

the name of the composer is Jerome, not Joseph. It was in the music for a 30's movie named something like "The gates of night". Incredible instrumenhtal versions from Miles Davis, Bill Evans. For several years it has been a very important number for jazz players. If I've had it in my show, I'd sing the introduction an the first round in french, then, after the improvisation (kind of trumpet), the english version.

Autumn Cheers


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 04 May 00 - 08:38 PM

Edith Piaf recorded the song in both French and English.

Malcolm


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Subject: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: Ian HP
Date: 12 May 01 - 09:31 AM

I know it's not a trad./folk song, but I'd love to sing the beautiful 'Autumn Leaves' by Johnny Mercer, Joseph Kozma, Jacques Prevert. However, I only have one verse, as follows:

The falling leaves drift by my window / The falling leaves are all red and gold / I see your lips, the summer kisses / The sunburnt hands I used to hold / Since you went away the days grow long / And soon I hear old winter song / But I miss you most of all, my darling / When autumn leaves start to fall

If anyone has more, either in English or the original French, I'd be very grateful.


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Subject: RE: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: Justa Picker
Date: 12 May 01 - 09:37 AM

French Lyrics:

Les Feuilles Mortes

Oh ! je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes,
Des jours heureux où nous étions amis,
En ce temps-là, la vie était plus belle,
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui.

Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle,
Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié.
Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle,
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi.

Et le vent du Nord les emporte,
Dans la nuit froide de l'oubli.
Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié
La chanson que tu me chantais...

C'est une chanson qui nous ressemble,
Toi qui m'aimais, moi qui t'aimais.
Nous vivions tous les deux ensemble,
Toi qui m'aimais, moi qui t'aimais.

Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment,
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit.
Et la mer efface sur le sable,
Les pas des amants désunis.


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Subject: RE: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: Ian HP
Date: 12 May 01 - 09:44 AM

That's wonderful. Thanks, I'll take this to a French-speaking friend for a translation. very graeful.


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Subject: RE: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: GUEST,Mark Cohen (cookie problems)
Date: 12 May 01 - 06:01 PM

Ian, I believe that's all she -- er, he -- wrote. I don't think there was another English verse; at least, I've never heard or seen one. Beautiful song...I've loved the melody since my elementary school orchestra played it, in 1963. I was first clarinet. Or maybe second. By the way, there's an interesting exchange of info about the song's origins on this Johnny Mercer FAQ site.

Aloha,
Mark


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Subject: ADD Version: Autumn Leaves (Merceer)
From: GUEST,Willa
Date: 12 May 01 - 06:03 PM

Music by Joseph Kosma,English lyrics by Johnny Mercer, French Lyrics by jacques Prevert
French words as above (the English translation is not a literal one, but quite close

AUTUMN LEAVES
(English lyrics by Johnny Mercer)


Verse
Autumn leaves fall and are swept out of sight, the words that you said have come true
Autumn leaves fall and are swept out of sight. so are the memories of love that we knew
The wind of forgetfulness blows them, into the night of regret
The song you would so often sing is echoing, echoing yet

Refrain
The falling leaves drift by my window
The Autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses,the sunburnt hands I used to hold
Since you went away, the days grow long, and soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling, when autumn leaves start to fall

My copy shows the refrain repeated

Translation (roughly)
Verse
The dead leaves curl up on the shovel;
you see, I've not forgotten
The dead leaves curl up on the shovel; the souvenirs and the regrets too
The North wind blows them into the cold night of forgetfulness
You see, I've not forgotten the song you used to sing to me

Refrain
We're like a song;you loved me and I loved you
We lived both together; you who loved me, I who loved you
But life separated those who loved
Gently, without a sound
and the sea wiped from the sand the footsteps of the disunited lovers


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Subject: RE: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 12 May 01 - 09:23 PM

Thanks, Willa, I should have figured there was a verse lying around somewhere.

It just ocurred to me that it would be a fun parlor game to sing the verse of a popular song (most of which are hardly ever sung) and let people guess the refrain. Of course, not many of us could be the quizmaster!

Aloha,
Mark


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Subject: RE: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: Ian HP
Date: 15 May 01 - 03:13 PM

I *think* that some parts of this tune in the original French version are missing in the English. Can anyone recommend a French recording of this song?


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Subject: RE: 'Autumn Leaves' lyrics, please
From: Helen
Date: 15 May 01 - 09:55 PM

Ian,

In the translation which Willa posted the first verse of French is not there.

Oh ! je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes,
Des jours heureux où nous étions amis,
En ce temps-là, la vie était plus belle,
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui.

My French is not great so I won't embarrass myself by trying to translate it. I have a vague feeling that these might have been spoken rather than sung.

Also, in the French version above, in the second last verse, my old copy of the sheet music has a slight difference.

C'est une chanson qui nous ressemble, Toi *tu* m'aimais, *et je t'aimais*. Nous vivions tous les deux ensemble, Toi qui m'aimais, moi qui t'aimais.

Helen


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: GUEST,Chris Smith
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 07:09 AM

I know I'm posting many years after this thread was initiated but I thought that those of you who stumble on this thread might be interested in an old recording from 1961 by the British band The Temperance Seven. They were a band that almost defied definition. They were a group of friends/art students/artists who happened to be talented musicians. They formed a band that played Dixieland Jazz but at the same time parodied the gentrification of jazz in the 1920s. They dressed in DJs (Tuxedos/Dinner Jackets) or morning suits all except the vocalist, Paul McDowell, who wore a white DJ. (I have a memory of him being called Mr "Whiter-than-white" Paul McDowell but can find no reference on Google, only "Whispering" Paul McDowell.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Temperance_Seven

Anyway, to the point. On one of their, sadly few, albums was a recording of Autumn Leaves. This starts with McDowell singing the verse followed by a single chorus of the refrain. Then follows a reprise of the 2nd half of melody of the verse played on the bass clarinet by Alan Swainston Cooper, I believe. Then McDowell sings the French lyrics.

I'm very grateful to those who posted the French lyrics as I've been puzzling over these since I first heard this recording on vinyl back in the early 1960s. I now have a CD of the reissue from about 2003. The 2012 CD/MP3 re-reissue has garnered some heavy criticism due to poor sound quality - BEWARE. (It also picked up one criticism re poor musicianship which is unjustified IMO.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ_ahWXxIlQ


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: cptsnapper
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 07:28 AM

You can find words & some chords on www.theguitarguy.com/‎


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: GUEST,Chris Smith
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 07:43 AM

BTW the album I'm referring to is simply called "1961". I used to have this on vinyl but that sadly went walkabout many years ago.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: Will Fly
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 08:21 AM

Thanks for reminding us of the Temperance Seven, Chris.

When I worked for the BBC, many years ago, I used to get the bus up to Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) on a Friday after work. In those days, the Pally was home to the Open University and to the BBC TV props department! So, after a short walk past rows of costumes and the odd Dalek, I would end up in the BBC bar - where certain Colin Bowles would regale us all with his piano playing. Colin - one-time pianist with the TS - was then a designer for the OU. He was a superb pianist. We used to gather round the piano while he played, pints in hands, and listen avidly. The session always finished up with him playing hymns and us singing along!

Sadly, Colin's no longer with us, and the modern line-up of the Temps is quite different, though I'm happy to say that my old mate from Lancaster, Mike Deighan, is playing banjo with them these days.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 12:45 PM

Les feuilles mortes above lacks the second verse. Lyrics Jacques Prévert.

2
Les feuilles mortes se ramaissent à la pelle,
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Mais non amour silencieux et fidèle
Sourit toujours et remercie la vie
Je t'amais tant, tu étais si jolie,
Comment veux-tu que je t'oublie?
En ce temps-la, la vie était plus belle
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'adjourd'hui
Tu étais ma plus douce amie
Mais je n'ai que faire des regrets
Et la chanson que tu chantais
Toujours, toujours je l'entendrai!

from http://www.ce.berkeley.edu/-coby/songtr/lesfm.htm


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 01:07 PM

(See corrected url below)


Les Feuilles Mortes
Translation Coby Lubliner 2004

Oh. I would like you to remember
Those happy days when we were friends, and how
Life in those times was more lovely and tender,
Even the sun shone more brightly than now,
Dead leaves are gathering as in December
You see how one never forgets ...
Dead leaves are gathering as in December,
Just like the memories and regrets,
And then the North wind comes and sweeps them
Into oblivion's icy night.
You see how I never forgot
That old song that you sang for me.

Refrain:

A song like us, birds of a feather,
You loving me, me loving you,
And we lived happily together,
You loving me, me loving you,
But life tears apart gentle lovers
Who quietly obey their heart,
And the sea invades the sand and covers
The footsteps of those torn apart.

Dead leaves are gathering, dead leaves are piling
UP just like memories and like regrets,
But still my love goes on quietly smiling
Thankful for life and for all that it gets.
I loved you so, you were ever so lovely,
How can I forget? Tell me how!
Life in those times was more sweet and beguiling,
Even the sun shone more brightly than now.
You were my most sweet friend and lover,
But regret just isn't my thing,
And I'll keep hearing all the time
The old song that you used to sing..

Refrain:

http://www.ce.berkeley.edu/~coby/songtr/lesfm.htm

Joseph Kosma (1905-1969 )was born in Budapest but moved to France. He wrote the musical scores for several films.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 01:32 PM

It seems that nobody recorded the whole song. There you can see the manuscript by Prévert. Cora Vaucaire was the first who recorded it but Yves Montand made it famous -the last video has literal but accurate Spanish subtitles.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Autumn Leaves / Les Feuilles Morte
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Jan 14 - 01:46 PM

The thread title has the French song incorrectly; should be Les Feulles Mortes, not 'morte.'
    Fixed. -Joe Offer-


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Subject: ADD: Les Feuilles Mortes (original poem)
From: Monique
Date: 12 May 21 - 01:53 AM

The whole, original poem by Jacques Prévert (1900-1977) is...

LES FEUILLES MORTES (1945)

    C’est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
    Toi tu m’aimais et je t’aimais
    Nous vivions tous les deux ensemble
    Toi que m’aimais moi qui t’aimais
    Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s’aiment
    Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
    Et la mer efface sur la sable les pas des amants désunis

    Oh! je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes
    Des jours heureux où nous étions amis
    En ce temps-là la vie était plus belle,
    Et le soleil plus brûlant qu’aujourd’hui
    Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
    Tu vois, je n’ai pas oublié…
    Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle,
    Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
    Et le vent du nord les emporte
    Dans la nuit froide de l’oubli.
    Tu vois, je n’ai pas oublié
    La chanson que tu me chantais.

    C’est une chanson qui nous ressemble
    Toi, tu m’aimais et je t’aimais
    Et nous vivions tous deux ensemble
    Toi qui m’aimais, moi qui t’aimais
    Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s’aiment
    Tout doucement, sans faire de bruit
    Et la mer efface sur le sable
    Les pas des amants désunis.

    Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle,
    Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
    Mais mon amour silencieux et fidèle
    Sourit toujours et remercie la vie
    Je t’aimais tant, tu étais si jolie,
    Comment veux-tu que je t’oublie?
    En ce temps-là, la vie était plus belle
    Et le soleil plus brûlant qu’aujourd’hui
    Tu étais ma plus douce amie
    Mais je n’ai que faire des regrets
    Et la chanson que tu chantais
    Toujours, toujours je l’entendrai!

    C’est une chanson qui nous ressemble
    Toi, tu m’aimais et je t’aimais
    Et nous vivions tous deux ensemble
    Toi qui m’aimais, moi qui t’aimais
    Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s’aiment
    Tout doucement, sans faire de bruit
    Et la mer efface sur le sable
    Les pas des amants désunis.

In "Soleil de nuit", Gallimard, 1st edition of the collection: 1980.


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