Lyr Req: The Letter

Subject: The Letter
From: nutty
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:09 AM

In the 70's a friend used to sing this anti- war song. It started

This letter, gentlemen, is to you polititians
You men of high position
Please read it if you can

Can anyone please supply the rest of the words and any other information about the song?????

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Allan C.
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 07:59 AM

It is called, LE DÉSERTEUR and was sung as a solo by Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary on their "In Concert" album.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:28 AM

Thanx Alan C ..... but ....... the song I require is certainly not a direct translation of the French .... so perhaps there is an English version --- anyone out there have any ideas

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:37 AM

And PLEASE ... lets not have any remarks about me searching for "french" letters

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Wolfgang
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:49 AM

perhaps a little help, from a websearch:

The Refusnik (Le Déserteur) Words by Boris Vian, English words by Eric Presland, music by Harold Berg

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 11:24 AM

It is possible that Leon Rosselson may have sung/recorded the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM

Still looking

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 09:47 AM

I can't believe that no one knows the English version of this song

Refreshing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: John Routledge
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 04:25 PM

Nutty- Just seen this thread. I have sung an english version of this song 3 or 4 times in last 3 months.Not entirely happy that i have all the words Will look at french version to check.

Will try to get words together for Saddlewoth tomorrow!!

Cheers John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Burke
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 09:13 PM

Did you find them?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 10:37 AM

Georide Broon is at FolkWorks in Durham for the week, and I hope he'll post these words when he gets back. It's a good song and he does it well.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Mar 02 - 11:39 PM

This song is discussed in the thread Lyr Req: The Letter - Missing verse. There are two French versions, a literal English translation, and a partial singable translation.