Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 18 Oct 22 - 01:24 PM

You can find the lyrics to Flicka från Backafall in this pdf or this page or this one and some others if you put "Flicka från Backafall, briggen Tre Bröder" in a search engine. You can also find a score here. I couldn't find a translation but an online translator might give you an idea (IMO it's better to try several of them...)

Excerpt from the 1953 movie including the song. The lyrics are below the video.
Recording by Tommy Körberg"

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 17 Oct 22 - 06:29 PM

Sung in Irish Gaelic earlier this month
Oró 'S é do Bheatha Bhaile
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=38159

Mo Ghille Mear
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=7161

Tonight both Jerry O'Neill and I sang Douglas Hyde's Irish language translation of The Castle of Dromore. Caislean Droim an Óir. That song is already in the thread index, having been sung last Oct. And Ann Coleman sang a song in Scottish Gaelic, Breisleach https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=171776

Jim Lucas sang a Swedish song,Flicka från Backafall (girl from Backafall), text by Gabriel Jönsson, tune by Gunnar Turesson

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 17 Oct 22 - 02:21 PM

QU'ALLAIS-TU FAIRE À LA FONTAINE (French) [Mari]. Qu'allais-tu faire à la fontaine Corbleu*, Marion Qu'allais-tu faire à la fontaine ? [Femme] -J'étais allée quérir de l'eau mon Dieu, mon ami. J'étais allée quérir de l'eau. [M] -Mais qui est-ce donc qui te parlait ? [F] -C'était la fille de not' voisine. [M] -Les femmes ne portent pas d' culottes** ! [F] -C'était sa jupe entortillée. [M] -Les femmes ne portent pas d'épée ! [F] -C'était son fuseau qui pendait. [M] -Les femmes ne portent pas d' moustaches ! [F] -C'étaient des mûres qu'elle mangeait. [M] -Le mois de mai n'a pas de mûres ! [F] -C'était une branche d'automne. [M] -Va m'en quérir une assiettée [F] -Les oiseaux les ont toutes mangées ! [M] -Alors, je te coup'rai la tête [F] -Alors, que ferez-vous du reste ? [M] -Je le jett'rai par la fenêtre [F] -Adroite et souple je saurai être. [M] -Vite, sans crier, fais ta prière [F] -Mettrez au moins mes os en terre ? [M] -Pour une fois je te pardonne [F] -Pour une fois et pour bien d'autres.

WHAT DID YOU GO AT THE FOUNTAIN FOR? [Husband] "What did you go at the fountain for? Zounds, Marion! What did you go at the fountain for?" [Wife] "I'd gone to fetch some water. My God, my dear! I'd gone to fetch some water." [H] "But who was speaking to you?" [W] "It was our neighbor's daughter." [H] "Women don't wear pants." [W] "It was her wrapped skirt." [H] "Women don't carry a sword." [W] "It was her spindle that was hanging." [H] "Women don't have a moustache." [W] "It was blackberries she was eating." [H] "The month of May has no blackberries" [W] "It was an autumn branch." [H] "Go fetch me a plateful." [W] "The birds have eaten them all." [H] "Then I'll cut your head off!" [W] "And then, what will you do with the rest?" [H] "I'll throw it through the window!" [W] "I'll know how to be handy and supple!" [H] "Quick, without crying, say your prayer!" [W] "Will you at least bury my bones?" [H] "For once, I forgive you." [W] "For once and many other times."

*"Corbleu" was an euphemism for "Corps de Dieu" (God's body)
**"culotte" used to mean "men's pants/breeches" while nowadays it means women's panties

This song is said to be from the 17th century. Eugène Rolland (1846-1909) collected some more in several areas in France in at least 3 languages (= more than 3 dialects!) in his Recueil de chansons populaires, 2 (1883) -with scores.

Here is an Occitan version of the song

LAS REVIRADAS DE MARION (Occitan) [Òme] Ont èras tu tantòst anada? Per Diu! Sanc Diu! Còrblu!* Marion! Ont èras tu tantòst anada? [Femna]-Al jardin culir d'ensalada. Jèsus! Mon Diu! Jèsus! Mon amic! Al jardin culir d'ensalada. [Ò] -Qual es que te fasiá companha? [F]- Èra ben lèu ma sòr l'ainada. [Ò] -Las femnas pòrtan pas de bragas. [F] -Éra sa farda retroçada [Ò] -Las femnas pòrtan pas d'espasa. [F] -Es sa conolha que fialava. [Ò] -Las femnas pòrtan pas mostachas. [F] -Éra d'amoras que minjava [Ò] -D'amoras n'i a pas per gelada. [F] -Éran de l'annada passada. [Ò] -Vai te'n me'n quèrre una assietada. [F] -Los aucelons las an minjadas [Ò] -Tu n'es una garça provada! [F] -Non! La soi pas encara estada. [Ò] -E ieu te coparai la crèsta! [F] -E puèi que faràs tu del reste? [Ò] -Lo jetarai per la fenèstra! [F] -Los aucelons ne faràn fèsta!

MARION'S RIPOSTES [Husband] "Where did you go lately? By God! Damnit! Zounds! Marion! Where did you go lately?" [Wife] "To the garden to pick salad. Jesus! My God! Jesus! My dear! To the garden to pick salad." [H] "Who kept you company?" [W] "It was maybe my elder sister." [H] "Women don't wear pants." [W] "It was her rolled-up skirt." [H] "Women don't carry a sword." [W] "It was the distaff she was spinning." [H] "Women don't have a moustache." [W] "It was blackberries she was eating." [H] "There's no blackberries when there's frost." [W] "They were from last year." [H] "Go fetch me a plateful." [W] "The little birds have eaten them." [H] "You're a proven bitch!" [W] "No! I'm not one yet!" [H] "I'll cut your crest off!" [W] "And then, what will you do with the rest?" [H] "I'll throw it through the window!" [W] "The little birds will have a feast!"

*Per Diu = "by God", "Sanc Diu" "[by] God's blood", "Còrblu", from the French "Corbleu" euphemism for "Corps de Dieu" ([by] God's body). Cf. the French "Palsambleu, corbleu…" in which "bleu" replaces "Dieu".

There are different tunes to this song though the lyrics are more or less the same.
There are also French versions such as the one above

Louis Lambert (1835-1908) collected a few versions in his "Chants et chansons populaires du Languedoc, 2" (1906) -with scores.

Recording of a slightly different version by Laüsa, a Gascon band + its live rendition
Here is a live rendition of another version by the late Jean-Marie and Odette Vidalenc.
Another one by the late Henriette Durand.

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 10 Oct 22 - 05:52 PM

Oh yes it does! Have a look at these versions on "Pan-Hispanic Ballad Project" by the University of Washington. In many versions the wife says "Kill me as I deserve it" and the husband does kill her -usually by stabbing her. He sometimes stabs her without "her permission"!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: leeneia
Date: 10 Oct 22 - 04:22 PM

Hi, Monique. When I heard you sing this song, with its jaunty melody and its jaunt "que que que," I knew I had heard it somewhere else. Finally it came to me - it's on an album of French Canadian music I have had for many years.

I think the last verse doesn't really belong. It's too mean for the rest of the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 10 Oct 22 - 02:23 PM

LA ESPOSA INFIEL (Spanish) Estaba una señorita sentadita en su balcón, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón sentadita en su balcón. Esperando que pasara el segundo batallón, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón el segundo batallón. Pasó por allí un soldado de muy mala condición, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón de muy mala condición. - Suba, suba, caballero, dormirá una noche o dos, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón dormirá una noche o dos. Mi marido está de caza en los montes de León, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón en los montes de León. Y para que no regrese, le echaré una maldición, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón le echaré una maldición. Que se caiga del caballo y muera sin confesión, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón y muera sin confesión. Estando en estas palabras, el maridito llamó, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón el maridito llamó: - Ábreme la puerta luna, ábreme la puerta sol, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón ábreme la puerta sol. Que te traigo un conejito de los montes de León, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón de los montes de León. Bajaba por la escalera, cambiadita de color, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón cambiadita de color. Al entrar en el portal, el marido preguntó, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón el marido preguntó: ¿De quién es aquella capa que en mi percha veo yo, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón que en mi percha veo yo? - Tuya, tuya, maridito, que te la he comprado yo, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón que te la he comprado yo. - ¿De quién es aquel sombrero que en mi percha veo yo, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón que en mi percha veo yo? - Tuyo, tuyo, maridito, que te lo he comprado yo, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón que te lo he comprado yo. Se fueron para la cama, y una cabeza encontró, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón y una cabeza encontró. - ¿De quién es esa cabeza que en mi cama veo yo, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón que en mi cama veo yo? - Del niño de la vecina que en mis brazos se durmió, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón que en mis brazos se durmió. - Caramba con el chiquillo, tiene barba como yo, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón tiene barba como yo. Le cogió por la cabeza, le tiró por el balcón, que que con el oritín, que que con el oritón le tiró por el balcón.

THE UNFAITHFULL WIFE There was a young lady sitting on her balcony, with the oritin, with the oriton* sitting on her balcony. Waiting for the second battalion to pass… A soldier passed by there, in very poor condition… "Come up, come up, sir, you'll sleep a night or two… My husband is hunting in the mountains of Leon… And so that he doesn't come back, I'll put a curse on him… Let him fall from his horse and die without confession…" As she was saying these words, the hubby called… "Open the door for me, [my] moon, open the door for me, [my] sun… I bring you a bunny from the mountains of Leon…" She went down the stairs, with her complexion changed… Entering the door, the husband asked… "Whose cape is that, that I see on my hanger…?" "Yours, yours, hubby, I bought it for you…" "Whose hat is that, that I see on my hanger…?" "Yours, yours, hubby, I bought it for you…" They went towards the bed, and he found a head… "Whose head is that, that I see in my bed…?" "To the neighbor's child who fell asleep in my arms…" "Oh, what a little boy, he has a beard like me…" He grabbed her** by the head, [he] threw her** off the balcony…

*This has no meaning.
**There's no way to know for sure if it's "her" or "him" as "le" can be either in Spanish. In other versions, the husband throws her ("la") off the balcony but in others he grabs "le" by the moustache, so it can only be the lover.

This is a version of an anonymous ballad from the 1500's. It's also known as "Blanca Niña", "Albaniña"... It was first published in "Tercera Parte de la Silva de Romances", Zaragoza, 1551. You can read the original version of this ballad in "Primavera y flor de romances ó Colección de los más viejos y más populares romances castellanos", vol. 2, by Ferdinand Wolf, Berlin, 1856, where the source is mentioned.
You can also read it in Antología de poetas líricos castellanos: desde la formación del idioma hasta nuestros días vol. 3, by Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo, Madrid, 1900

You can find 126 versions of this ballad in Spanish, Catalan and Portuguese on Pan-Hispanic Ballad Project, University of Washington.
I find that this version lacks a 4th line in which the soldier tells her he'd like to sleep with her, which better explain "Come up, come up, sir, you'll sleep a night or two".
I find some versions kind of funny as the husband takes his wife to give her back to her father but the father gives him some "Now-it's-not-my-business" answer and in others versions he kills her but dies an hour later and the lover "as a scoundrel, remained in bed". All that for this!

Recording by Joaquín Díaz

A different tune and slightly different lyrics recorded by Candeal

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 26 Sep 22 - 02:20 PM

MAIULIN (Italian) Maiulin bela Maiulin – (Maiulin) dove l'hai messo quel bambino che avevi oi mamma della mia oi mamma l'ho gettato in peschiera. Figlia mia parla più pian- (parla più pian-) parla più piano che nessuno ti senta ti sente la giustizia che ti viene a prendere. Mentre faceva quei discorsin -(quei discorsin) si sente dare un colpettino alla porta la bella Maiulin l'è casca in terra morta. Puoi l'hanno presa, l'hanno legà- (l'hanno legà-) l'hanno legata con catene sicure la bella Maiulin-a l'è in prigioni oscure. Mamma mia, portèm del pàn, (portèm del pan) portèm del pane e del'acqua ben fresca l'aria della prigione mi fa male alla testa". Oi mamma mia mandeme un bà- (mandeme un bà-) mandeme un bacio sopra alle catene che chi ha peccato ha da scontà alle pene mandeme un bacio sopra alle catene che chi ha peccato ha da scontà alle pene.

MAIULIN Maiulin, beautiful Maiulin – (chorus) Maiulin Where have you put this baby you had oh mamma, oh mamma I threw him in the fishpond. Daughter, speak lower -(speak lower) Speak lower so that nobody can hear you The justice hears you, who comes to take you away. While she was doing these little speeches (these little speeches) A tiny knock on the door could (lit. "can") be heard The beautiful Maiulin fell dead on the floor. Then they took her, they tied her (they tied her) They tied her with secure chains The beautiful Maiulina is in a dark jail. "Mamma, bring me bread, (bring me bread) Bring me bread and very cool water The air of the jail gives me a headache". Oh mamma, send me a kiss (send me a kiss) Send me a kiss over the chains For who has sinned must serve their sentence Send me a kiss over the chains For who has sinned must serve their sentence.

*Maiulin/Maiulina is a pet name for Mary.

Recording by Alberto Cesa e Cantovivo
Recording by Almanacco popolare
Recording by Nadia Gabi E Le Due Nel Cappello

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 19 Sep 22 - 02:22 PM

L’Escriveta - Occitan ballad, aka "L’Escribòta", "Flurança" / "Florença", "Ne maridan Liseta"... There are several versions of it in Occitan. You’ll get a version, a long bibliography where the song can be found and a study in "Le romancéro populaire de la France; choix de chansons populaires françaises: textes critiques par George Doncieux, avec un avant-propos et un index musical par Julien Tiersot"
You’ll find several versions (lyrics and score) in "Romania Vol.15". Both books are in French.
The Piedmontese version is 'L Moru Sarazin’ (among other spellings). Constatino Nigra collected some versions that you’ll find in Canti popolari del Piemonte -in Italian
There’s at least one Catalan version of it.
There's at least one longer Occitan version that I'll post later.

L'ESCRIVETA (Occitan) Guilhaume se marida Guilhaume tan polit La pren tan joveneta que se sap pas vestir Lo sèr la desabilha, l'abilha lo matin E la balha a sa maire per la i far noirir. Guilhaume part en guèrra per la daissar grandir Al cap de sèt annadas, es tornat al païs. S'en va tustar a sa pòrta: "Escriveta, durbis!" Sa maire a la fenèstra respon: "N'es plus aicí. Los Moros te l'an presa, los Moros Sarrasins. - Trobarai Escriveta quand sauriái de morir!" Rencontra de lavairas, lavavan linge fin "Digatz, digatz, lavairas, qu'es lo castèl d'aicí? - Es lo castèl del Moro, del Moro Sarrasin. - Cossí que se pòt faire per i dintrar, cossí? - Abilhatz-vos en fòrma de paure pelegrin Demandaretz l'almoina tot lo long del camin." Tot en fasent l'almoina, reconeis son marit "Dintratz dins l'escuriera, selatz lo bèl rossin! Ieu monti dins ma cambra, de serga me vestir." E del còfre del Moro, prenguèt l'aur lo plus fin. "Escriveta es partida, delial de pelegrin! De tot l’aur que n'empòrta, fariá la mar lusir! Sèt ans ieu l'ai noirida de bon pan, de bon vin, Sèt raubas l'i ai crompadas, de seda, de satin. - Se sèt ans l'as noirida, al diable, Sarrasin! Èra la mia femneta, la flor de mon païs."

L'ESCRIVETA Guilhaume (William) gets married, Guilhaume so handsome, He takes her so young than she can't get dressed. In the evening, he undresses her, he dresses her in the morning And he gives her to his mother to get her fed. Guilhaume goes to war to allow her to grow up, After seven years, he's come back home He knocks on the door, "Escriveta, open up!" His mother answers, "She's no longer here. The Moors took her away from you, the Saracen Moors." "I will find Escriveta, even if I should die!" He runs into washerwomen washing fine laundry, "Tell me, tell me, washerwomen, what's this castle?" "It's the Moor's castle, the Saracen Moor's." "How can I enter it, how?" "Dress up as a poor pilgrim, You'll beg for alms along the way." While giving alms, she recognizes her husband, "Get into the stable, saddle the fine russet horse. I go up to my bedroom to dress with serge." And from the Moor's coffer, she took the finest gold. "Escriveta has left, disloyal pilgrim! With all the gold he takes away, the sea would shine! Seven years I fed her with good bread and good wine, Seven dresses I bought to her, [made] of silk, of satin." "If you've fed her for seven years, to hell with you Saracen! She was my little wife, the flower of my land."

Recording by the late Alberto Cesa

A different tune and slightly different lyrics by Los Mourres de Porcs

A medley of both Provençal (L'escriveta) and Piedmontese (Il Moru Sarasin) versions by Dona Bela

A Piedmontese version by Cantovivo

A different version audio only

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 02:56 AM

Yesterday, as Mudcat was down, I couldn't copy and paste the lyrics and translation of the song I meant to sing as I usually do, so I sang something else. It reads here that it's a traditional kids song.
We have it on Mama Lisa's World where you'll find a midi and a sheet music along with the lyrics and this very English translation -and a French and a Spanish one if you switch to these languages on the site.

PAPETA CALHAU (Occitan) I aviá un cat e un chin (x2) Que fasián la terralha Traulala, Papeta Calhau I aviá un cat e un chin Que fasián la terralha I aviá una mosca al plafond (x2) Que s'espetava de rire Traulala, Papeta Calhau… Tombèt de la muralha Se copèt las doas cuèissas… Lo lendeman matin La menèrem a l'ospici… Lo suslendeman matin La retrobèrem mòrta… Lo jorn de l'enterrament Faguèrem una panta de rire… I aviá per capelan Un chin vestit de negre… I aviá per enfants de còr Dos cats vestits de roge… I aviá per corbilhard La carreta de Lazari… I aviá per carretièr Denis vestit en mosca Sortiguent del cementèri Rescontrèrem una nòça Aquí lo dòl passat De la paura mosqueta… Nos metèrem a dançar Al mitan de la carrièra…

GRANDPA STONE There were a cat and a dog (x2) Who were washing the dishes Trawlala, Grandpa Stone There were a cat and a dog Who were washing the dishes There was a fly on the ceiling (x2) Who was laughing his head off Trawlala, Grandpa Stone… He fell down from the wall He broke his two thighs… The next morning We brought him to the hospital… The morning after We found him dead… On the day of the burial We had a lot of fun… There was as a priest A dog dressed in black… There were as altar boys Two cats dressed in red… There was as a hearse Lazarus' cart… There was as a driver Dennis dressed up as a fly. When going out from the churchyard We came across a wedding. When the poor fly's mourning Was over We started to dance In the middle of the street…

Recording by Aqueles -a band from around here who have a Sète accent where they pronounce the final stressless "a" as /a/ instead of the usual Languedoc /ɔ/.
Recording by Gérard Franco that you'll also find at the 1st link at the top.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 02:16 AM

Damn! I hadn't checked and there's already a Mudcat thread about its origin where you'll find other Mudcat threads links but now it's too late and here is my stuff anyway!

On Monday 09/05, Barrie Mathers sang…

SCHÖN IS DER MORGEN Traditional/Gerd Koethe, Roland Heck Schön ist der Morgen Schau aus dem Fenster Ganz neu geboren Schenkt er den Tag Nimm ihn und freu dich Danke und denke Wieder kommt für mich ein neuer Tag! Schön ist der Morgen Singen die Lärchen Was nützen Sorgen Schenk sie der Nacht Nimm dir ein Beispiel Und sei zufrieden Oft willst du zu viel? Frag dich warum! Schön ist der Morgen Fang wieder neu an! Gestern und Sorgen Alt und vorbei! Danke und denke Die Welt kann schön sein? Darum verschenke nie deinen Tag! Schön ist der Morgen Schau aus dem Fenster Ganz neu geboren Schenkt er den Tag Nimm ihn und freu dich Danke und denke Wieder kommt für mich ein neuer Tag!

THE MORNING IS BEAUTIFUL (Literal translation) The morning is beautiful Look out of the window Brand new born It gives the day [as a gift] Take it and be happy Thank and think Another day is coming for me again! The morning is beautiful Sing the larches. What's the use of worrying? Give them to the night Take an example And be content Do you often want too much? Ask yourself why! The morning is beautiful Start again anew! Yesterday and worries Old and gone! Thank and think The world can be beautiful? So never give your day away! The morning is beautiful Look out of the window Brand new born It gives the day [as a gift] Take it and be happy Give thanks and think Another day is coming for me!

Verses 2 & 3 by Art Garfunkel Jr. Schön ist der Morgen Singen die Lerchen Ganz ohne Sorgen Freu'n sie sich nur Nimm dir ein Beispiel Sei mehr zufrieden Oft willst du zu viel Frag' mal, warum Schön ist der Morgen Sonne und Regen Du bist geborgen Solang du glaubst Kommen und gehen Können die Stunden Alles verstehen Kann der Mensch nie

The morning is beautiful Sing the larks Without any worries Just being happy Take an example Be more satisfied You often want too much Ask yourself why The morning is beautiful Sun and rain You are safe As long as you believe Come and go Can the hours (the hours may come and go) Understand everything Man never can

ORIGINAL VERSION
Traditional/Eleanor Farjeon

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dew fall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight
Mine is the morning
Born of the One Light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word


"Morning Has Broken is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and was inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, then set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, "Bunessan". It is often sung in children's services and in funeral services
Bunessan is a hymn tune based on a Scottish folk melody, first associated with the Christmas carol "Child in the Manger" and later and more commonly with "Morning Has Broken". It is named for the village of Bunessan in the Ross of Mull. -From Wikipedia


Cat Steven's version:

Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day!


Recording in German by Nana Mouscouri
Recording in German by Art Garfunkel Jr

Recording in English by Cat Stevens

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 01:51 PM

BRAVE MARIN (French) Brave marin revient de guerre, Tout doux, Brave marin revient de guerre, Tout doux, Tout mal chaussé, tout mal vêtu : "Pauvre marin, d'où reviens-tu ? Tout doux. - Madame, je reviens de guerre, Tout doux, - Madame, je reviens de guerre, Tout doux, - Que l’on apporte du vin blanc Que le marin boit en passant !" Tout doux. Brave marin se mit à boire, Tout doux, Brave marin se mit à boire, Tout doux, Se mit à boire et à chanter Et la belle hôtesse à pleurer, Tout doux. " Ah ! dites-moi, la belle hôtesse, Tout doux, Ah ! dites-moi, la belle hôtesse, Tout doux, Regrettez-vous votre vin blanc Que le marin boit en passant ? Tout doux. - C'est pas mon vin que je regrette, Tout doux, C'est pas mon vin que je regrette, Tout doux, Mais c'est la mort de mon mari, Monsieur, vous ressemblez à lui !" Tout doux. - Ah ! dites-moi, la belle hôtesse, Tout doux, Ah ! dites-moi, la belle hôtesse, Tout doux, Vous aviez de lui trois enfants. En voici quatre à présent ! Tout doux. - J'ai tant reçu de tristes lettres, Tout doux, - J'ai tant reçu de tristes lettres, Tout doux, Qu'il était mort et enterré, Que je me suis remariée." Tout doux. Brave marin vida son verre, Tout doux, Brave marin vida son verre, Tout doux, Sans dire un mot, tout en pleurant Il regagna son bâtiment. Tout doux.

GOOD SAILOR Good sailor comes back from war, Softly, Good sailor comes back from war, Softly, Very ill shoed, very ill dressed, "Good sailor, whence do you come back?" Softly, "Madam, I'm coming back from war, Softly, Madam, I'm coming back from war, Softly, Let some white wine been brought That the sailor will drink passing by!" Softly, Good sailor started to drink, Softly, Good sailor started to drink, Softly, Started to drink and to sing, The beautiful hostess [started] to weep, Softly, "Ah, tell me, beautiful hostess," Softly, "Ah, tell me, beautiful hostess," Softly, "Do you regret your white wine That the sailor drinks when passing by?" Softly, "It's not my wine I regret," Softly, "It's not my wine I regret," Softly, But it's my husband's death, Sir, you look like him!" Softly, "Ah, tell me, beautiful hostess," Softly, "Ah, tell me, beautiful hostess," Softly, You had three children by him, Here are four of them now." Softly, "I received so many sad letters," Softly, "I received so many sad letters," Softly, "That he was dead and buried, So I married again". Softly, Good sailor emptied his glass, Softly, Good sailor emptied his glass, Softly, Without saying a word, while crying He went back to his ship. Softly.

In France the sailor is very seldom a soldier but some versions do exist about a soldier (my mom used to sing one). The lyrics are the same but for "soldat" instead of "marin" and "régiment" instead of "bâtiment" at the very end.
In Canada the sailor is always a soldier. Here are several versions collected in Canada. In these versions, the soldier gets angry at the end, sometimes so angry that he kills wife and children.

Recording by Nana Mouscouri

Live rendition by Guy Béart

YouTube Brave marin page

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Subject: Lyr Add: DILMANA DILBERO (trad. Bulgaria)
From: Monique
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 01:40 PM

Dilmana Dilbero: Here are the lyrics, the transliteration and an English translation. Please note that I don't speak Bulgarian so if the person who sang it has a better translation, please pm me. Thanks.

ДИЛМАНО, ДИЛБЕРО (Bulgarian) Дилмано дилберо, Дилмано дилберо кажи ми как се сади пиперо (x2) Да цъфти да върже, да цъфти да върже да береш береш береш как сакаш (x2) Помуни го побуцни го, помуни го побуцни го та така се сади сади пиперо (x2)

BEAUTIFUL DILMANA "Beautiful Dilmana, beautiful Dilmana Tell me how to plant peppers? (x2) So that they bloom, they bind, And I can have as much as I wish? (x2)" "Push them deep, push them deep, It's how you plant the peppers."

Transliteration:

Dilmano dilbero, Dilmano dilbero
kazhi mi kak se sadi pipero (x2)

Da tsufti da vurzhe, da tsufti da vurzhe
da beresh beresh beresh kak sakash (x2)

Pomuni go pobutsni go, pomuni go pobutsni go
ta taka se sadi sadi pipero (x2)

Bulgarian lyrics with a transliteration, French and English translations on Tous aux Balkans website

Live rendition here.
Dilmano dilbero YouTube page

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 01:14 PM

Last week "Di Zaposhkelekh" was sung in English and Yiddish, along with "The Song of the Volga Boatmen" in Russian (link to a Mudcat thread about it, "Ey, Ukhnyem!") and "Dilmano dilbero" (link to "Tous aux Balkans" but you'll find it below).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 15 Aug 22 - 02:24 PM

This popular ballad derives from a "romance" by Juan del Encina (1468-1529) well spread in the 16th century (Cf. below the video links).

EL ENAMORADO Y LA MUERTE (Anonymous / Joaquín Díaz) Yo me estaba reposando, durmiendo como solía, soñaba con mis amores que en mis brazos los tenía. Vi entrar señora tan blanca, aún más que la nieve fría. - ¿Por dónde has entrado amor? ¿Cómo has entrado, mi vida? Las puertas están cerradas, ventanas y celosías. - No soy el amor, amante; la Muerte que Dios te envía. - Ay Muerte tan rigurosa; déjame vivir un día. - Un día no puedo darte; una hora tienes de vida. Muy deprisa se levanta, más deprisa se vestía. Ya se va para la calle en donde su amor vivía. - Ábreme la puerta, blanca; ábreme la puerta, niña. - ¿Cómo te podré yo abrir, si la ocasión no es venida? Mi padre no fue al palacio; mi madre no está dormida. - Si no me abres esta noche, ya no me abrirás, querida. La Muerte me está buscando; junto a ti, vida sería. - Vete bajo la ventana, donde labraba y cosía; te echaré cordón de seda para que subas arriba, y si el cordón no alcanzare, mis trenzas añadiría. La fina seda se rompe, la Muerte que allí venía: - Vamos el enamorado, la hora ya está cumplida.

THE LOVER AND DEATH I was resting, sleeping as usual, Dreaming of my love, [dreaming] that I had her in my arms, I saw a very white lady come in, even whiter than the cold snow. "Where did you enter through, love? How did you enter, my life? The doors are closed, [so are] the windows and slatted shutters." "I'm not love, lover; [I'm] the Death that God sends you." "Ah! Death so harsh, let me live one day." "One day I cannot give you; you have an hour of life [left]." Very fast he gets up, even faster he dressed. Now he's heading to the street where his love lived. "Open the door for me, fair one*; open the door for me, girl." "How could I open [the door] for you since the opportunity isn't appropriate/the time isn't right? My father did not go to the palace, my mother isn't asleep." "If you don't open tonight, you won't open any more, beloved. Death is looking for me; next to you, it'd be life." "Go under the window where I would embroider and sew, I'll throw a silk string for you to come up, And if the string wouldn't reach, I'd add my braids." The fine silk breaks, Death was coming by: "Let's go, the lover, the hour has expired."

*Lit. "white". "blanca" (white), "niña" (girl, child) were used to address or to refer to female sweethearts to highlight their purity/innocence.

Note that I kept the verbs in present or past tenses as they are in the original version, which can sound quite weird in English but so does it in Spanish as some tenses are more about rhyming than time consistency.

There are slightly different lyrics for this ballad sung on different tunes.

Live rendition by Joaquín Díaz.

Recording by Víctor Jara.

Recording by Washington Carrasco y Cristina Fernández.

Recording and live rendition by Paco Ibáñez.

Live rendition by Alalumbre Folk.

YouTube "El enamorado y la muerte" page

This popular ballad derives from a "romance" by Juan del Encina (1468-1529) well spread in the 16th century:
Original work.
Here is the transcription in the original spelling of old copies:

Yo me estava reposando, durmiendo como solía. Recordé, triste, llorando con gran pena que sentía. Levanté me muy sin tiento de la cama en que dormía, cercado de pensamiento, que valer no me podía. Mi passión era tan fuerte que de mí yo no sabía. Conmigo estava la Muerte por tenerme compañía. Lo que más me fatigava no era porque muría, mas era porque dexava de servir a quien servía. Servía yo una señora que más que a mí la quería, y ella fue la causadora de mi mal sin mejoría. La media noche passada, ya que era cerca el día, salíme de mi posada por ver si descansaría. Fui para donde morava aquella que más quería, por quien yo triste penava, mas ella no parecía. Andando todo turbado con las ansias que tenía, vi venir a mi cuidado dando bozes, y dezía: «Si dormís, linda señora, recordad por cortesía, pues que fuestes causadora de la desventura mía. Remediad mi gran tristura, satisfazed mi porfía, porque si falta ventura del todo me perdería.» Y con mis ojos llorosos, un triste llanto hazía con sospiros congoxosos, y nadie no parecía. En estas cuitas estando, como vi que esclarecía, a mi casa sospirando me bolví sin alegría.

I was resting Sleeping as I used to, I remembered, sad, crying With the great sorrow I was feeling. I got up very carelessly From the bed I was sleeping in, [So] Assailed with thoughts That I couldn't fend for myself. My distress was so strong That I did not know myself; Death was with me To keep me company What bothered me most Was not because I was dying But it was because I was stopping To serve the one I served. I served a lady Whom I loved more than myself, And she was the cause Of my illness without improvement After midnight, When it was close to daybreak, I get out of my dwelling To see if I would rest I headed to the dwelling Of the one I loved most, Because of whom I sadly mourned, But she wasn't not appearing. Walking all confused With/from the anguishes that I had, I saw caution come to me Crying out, and I said: "If you sleep, pretty lady, Remember for courtesy, As you were the cause Of my misfortune. Heal my great sadness, Satisfy my tenacity, Because if happiness is lacking, You would totally lose me." And with my teary eyes I was making a sad moan, And sorrowful sighs, And nobody was appearing. Being in these troubles, As I saw that it was dawning, To my house, sighing, I returned without joy.

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 02:22 PM

RE GILARDIN (Piedmontese) Re Gilardin, lü 'l va a la guera Lü el va a la guera a tirar di spada (x2) O quand 'l'è stai mità la strada Re Gilardin 'l'è restai ferito (x2) Re Gilardin ritorna indietro Dalla sua mamma vò 'ndà a morire (x2) O tun tun tun, pica a la porta O mamma mia che mi son morto (x2) O pica pian caro 'l mio figlio Che la to dona 'l g'à 'n picul fante (x2) O madona*, la mia madona cosa vol dire ch’i sonan tanto? (x2) O nuretta, la mia nuretta I g’fan ‘legria al tuo fante (x2) O madona la mia madona Cosa vol dire ch'i cantan tanto? (x2) O nuretta, la mia nuretta I g'fan 'legria ai soldati (x2) O madona , la mia madona Disem che moda ho da vestirmi (x2) Vestiti di rosso, vestiti di nero Che le brunette stanno più bene (x2) O quand l'è stai 'nt l'üs de la chiesa D'un cirighello si l'à incontrato Bundì bungiur an vui vedovella O no no no che non son vedovella g'l fante in cüna e 'l marito in guera (x2) O si si si che vui sei vedovella Vostro marì l'è tri dì che 'l fa terra (x2) O tera o tera apriti 'n quatro Volio vedere il mio cuor reale (x2) La tua boca la sa di rose 'nvece la mia la sa di terra. (x2)

KING GILARDIN King Gilardin goes to war, He goes to war wielding his sword. (x2) When he was in the middle in the street, King Gilardin was wounded. (x2) King Gilardin goes back home, At his mother’s house he wants to die. (x2) Knock, knock, he knocks at the door. "O Mother, I am dying (lit. "I'm dead")." (x2) "Don’t thump so hard, my dear son, For your wife has just given birth to a baby boy." (x2) "Mother-in-law, my mother-in-law, What does so much playing music mean?" (x2) "Oh, little daughter-in-law, my little daughter-in-law, They're celebrating/entertaining your baby." (x2) "Mother-in-law, my mother-in-law, What does so much singing mean?" (x2) "Oh, little daughter-in-law, my little daughter-in-law, They're entertaining the soldiers." (x2) "Mother-in-law, my mother-in-law, Tell me how I must dress." (x2) "Dress in red or dress in black, It fits brunettes much better." (x2) When she came to the church door, She encountered an altar boy: "Good day, good day, young widow." "Oh, no, no, no, I'm not a young widow, I’ve my child in its cradle and my husband at war." (x2) "Oh, yes, yes, yes, indeed you are a young widow, Your husband was buried three days ago." (x2) "Oh earth, oh, earth, open up in four corners! I want to see the king of my heart**.” (x2) "Your mouth has a taste of rose, Whereas mine has a taste of earth." (x2)

*"Madona", lit. "milady" was the way of addressing one's mother-in-law in Piedmont. She was in charge of holding the economic, relational and decision-making reins of the newlyweds so was addressed as "Mother milady"
**Lit. "my royal heart" so is it "the king of my heart" or "my beloved king"?

You'll find slightly different versions on this Mudcat thread

Sheet music

A long article on Terre celtiche about the song and its different versions in several languages. Many interesting links.

Recording by La Ciapa Rusa.
Recording by Tendachënt


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 01 Aug 22 - 02:20 PM

LE GALANT INDISCRET (French) De bon matin j' me suis levé, Au chant de l'alouette ; Dans mon chemin rencontre Un garçon allemand Qui allait voir sa blonde, À la rigueur du temps. — Où t'en vas-tu ? D'où reviens-tu ? Voilà minuit qui sonne. — Je vas voir ma maîtresse, Là-bas, dans sa maison, D'entrer dans sa chambrette J'ai bien la permission. — Ouvrez, ouvrez la porte, Marguerit' ma mignonne, Je suis nu, je grelotte, En danger de geler ; Belle, ouvrez-moi la porte Et laissez-moi rentrer. — Gèlerais-tu, mour-e-rais-tu, Je n'ouvre pas ma porte. En passant par la ville, Galant, tu t'es vanté Que j'étais une fille Faite à tes volontés. - Que me donnerez-vous belle Pour me faire tant de peine - Je te donnerai la mer Pour aller t'y noyer Ton père aussi ta mère Pourront te regretter. O Dieu de Dieu ! que j'ai d' malheur ! Combien je suis à plaindre ! J'ai perdu ma maîtresse Pour avoir trop causé ; Jamais homme ni femme N' sauront plus mes secrets.

THE INDISCRET SUITOR Early in the morning I got up, At the song of the lark; On my way I met A German boy Who was going to see his girlfriend In the rigor of the weather. "Where are you going? Where are you coming from? The clock is striking midnight." "I'm going to see my mistress, Over there, in her house. To enter her bedroom I do have permission." "Open, open the door, Marguerite, my darling; I'm naked, I'm shivering, In danger of freezing; Sweetheart, open the door for me And let me in." "Would you freeze, would you die, I don't open my door. Passing through the city, Sweetheart, you boasted That I was a girl Who does as you wish." "What will you give me, beautiful, To hurt me so much?" "I will give you the sea To go and drown in it Your father also your mother May regret you." O my God! how unfortunate I am! How much I am to be pitied! I lost my mistress For talking too much; Never man or woman Will know my secrets any longer.

Recording by Malicorne
Sheet music
Several versions collected from the Nivernais region in Chants et chansons populaires by Achille Millien (1906)


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 02:26 PM

Farm workers used to be hired either on All Saints' Day (Nov. 1st), or on St Michael's Day (Sept. 29th) or on Saint John's Day (June 24th) depending on the area and the type of work.

MIA, TOTSANTS S'APRÒCHA (Occitan) Mia, Totsants s'apròcha, la bèla, la le, I a pas res que l'empacha, la bèla, le la. Nos cal cambiar de mèstre, la bèla, la le, Nos cal cambiar de bòria, la bèla, le la. Regrete pas lo mèstre, la bèla, la le, Ni mai la mestressa, la bèla, le la. La sopa èra cauda, la bèla, la le, Mes i aviá pas que d'aiga, la bèla, le la. E lo jorn de la paga, la bèla, la le, Los mèstres èran malautes, la bèla, le la. Mia, Totsants s'apròcha, la bèla, la le, I a pas res que l'empacha, la bèla, le la.

SWEETHEART, ALL SAINTS' DAY IS GETTING NEAR Sweetheart, All Saints' Day is getting near, la bèla, la le,* Nothing can stop it, la bèla, le la. We must change master, We must change farm. I don't regret the master, Neither do I the mistress. The soup was hot But it was only water. And on pay day The masters were ill. Sweetheart, All Saints' Day is getting near, Nothing can stop it.

*"La bèla" means "the beautiful one/the beauty" but I'm not sure it's intended to address anyone here.

Recording by Los del Sauveterre

There are more well-known versions on a different tune with more or less long descriptions of their bad living conditions (the master is brutal, stingy…, the mistress is evil, a bad cook -on purpose-, stingy…)
You can watch it sung here or listen to this recording by the late Rosina de Pèira and her daughter Martina.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 18 Jul 22 - 05:54 PM

Today Lois sang a song from 1930 that she amended. You'll understand why she did so when you read the full version of the lyrics below her own...

LE GRAND FRISÉ 1930's cabaret waltz/song...as amended for Mudcat Refrain Quand je danse avec le grand Frisé Il a la façon de m'enlacer : J'en perds la tête, Je suis comme une bête. Y'a pas ! je suis sa chose à lui, Je l'ai dans le sang quoi, c'est mon chéri, Car moi je l'aime, je l'aime mon grand Frisé. Pour lui, j'ai du cœur comme pas une. Être avec lui, j' suis au clair d' la lune Moi je ne veux que m'en occuper Le regarder à rêvasser Car moi je l'aime, je l'aime mon grand Frisé (Refrain)

(Chorus) When I dance with the tall one with curly hair He has a way of hugging me That makes me lose my mind, I'm like an animal/a dummy. Nothing can be done*, I'm his very thing, I have him under my skin**, well, he's my darling, Because I love him, I love him, my tall one with curly hair. For him I have a heart like no other. To be with him… I'm in the moonlight. I only want to take care of him, To watch him as he's daydreaming Because I love him, I love him, my tall one with curly hair. (Chorus)

Here are the full lyrics of the original version.

LE GRAND FRISÉ (©Léo Daniderff - Émile Ronn / Henry Lemonnier) 1930 Refrain Quand j' danse avec le grand frisé Il a un' façon d' m'enlacer Qu' j'en perds la tête, J' suis comme un' bête. Y'a pas, je suis sa chose à lui, J' l'ai dans l' sang, quoi, c'est mon chéri, Aussi, je l'aime, je l'aim', mon grand frisé. Y m' cogne, y m' démolit, y m' crève, Mais, que voulez-vous, moi, j'aim' ça. Après, je m'endors dans un rêve, En m' p'lotonnant bien dans ses bras. Je m' r'vois, lorsque j'étais tout' gosse Et que m' câlinait ma maman, Qu' j'ai tuée d' chagrin en f'sant la noce. Aussi, tout ce qui m' reste maint'nant, Quoi, c'est mon homme... (Refrain) Maintenant j'ai du cœur comme pas une Quand il s'agit de s'occuper Je ne vais pas au clair de la lune Perdre mon temps à rêvasser Y'a pas. Faut que le pognon rapplique Pour que l'hiver quand il fait froid J' lui paie une pelure en poils de bique Et des godasses en peau d' chamois Quoi, c'est mon homme (Refrain) Je l'aime… Quoi, c'est mon homme !

THE TALL ONE WITH CURLY HAIR Chorus When I dance with the tall one with curly hair He has a way of hugging me That makes me lose my mind, I'm like an animal/a dummy. Nothing can be done*, I'm his very thing, I have him under my skin**, well, he's my darling, So, I love him, I love him, my tall one with curly hair. He hits me, he knocks me down, he kills me, But, what can you do, I like it. Then I fall asleep in a dream, Snuggling up well in his arms. I see myself again, when I was just a kid And my mom cuddled me, [My mom] I killed of grief by my partying So, all that remains to me now, Well, is my man... (Chorus) Now I have a heart like no other When it comes to caring I don't go in the moonlight To waste my time daydreaming Nothing can be done. The moolah must turn up So that in winter, when it's cold, I [can] pay him a goat hair coat And chamois leather shoes. Well, he's my man (Chorus) I love him… Well... he's my man!

*Or "There are not two ways about it/There's no getting out of it". The French "Y'a pas" is short for the very slangy "Y'a pas à chier".
**Lit. "I have him in the blood"

Recording by Damia
Recording by Lucienne Delyle
Recording by Barbara

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 18 Jul 22 - 02:02 PM

TODO TIENE QUE VER (Spanish) © Eduardo Carrasco (1940 - ) sung by Quilapayún. Todo tiene que ver con las palomas, todo tiene que ver con un tranvía, todo tiene que ver con la mirada, con una carta que no se escribe, un cigarrillo y una guitarra. Todo tiene que ver con cerraduras, todo tiene que ver con una almohada, todo tiene que ver un perfume, con los botones de una camisa, con un vestido que cae al suelo. Todo tiene que ver con una duda, todo tiene que ver con otra historia, todo tiene que ver con calles solas, con los andenes, con ciertas lluvias, con despedidas y con faroles, con la memoria, con el olvido.(x2)

EVERYTHING HAS TO DO Everything has to do with doves, Everything has to do with a streetcar, Everything has to do with glancing, With a letter that is not written, With a cigarette and with a guitar. Everything has to do with locks, Everything has to do with a pillow, Everything has to do with a perfume, With the buttons of a shirt, With a dress that falls to the ground. Everything has to do with a doubt, Everything has to do with another story, Everything has to do with lonely streets, With the platforms, with certain rains, With farewells and with lanterns, With memory, with oblivion. (x2)

Live rendition in 1986.
Much later live rendition by members who live in Chile permanently.
Recording by Quilapayún as they were in 1987.
Live rendition by Paloma San Basilio and Quilapayún in 1992.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 14 Jul 22 - 05:43 AM

On Monday Casey sang…

LE ROI EUGÈNE - LA FLEUR DE LYS (French) As sung by Malicorne Un jour, le roi Eugène, en sortant de Paris, (x2) Il vit venir quinze hommes, vive le jour, Ses plus grands ennemis, vive la fleur de lys. Il vit venir quinze hommes, ses plus grands ennemis. (x2) Ah, dis-moi, roi Eugène, vive le jour, Qu'as-tu fait dans ta vie ? Vive la fleur de lys Ah, dis-moi, roi Eugène, qu'as-tu fait dans ta vie  ? (x2) J'ai parcouru les villes, vive le jour, Pour aller à Paris, vive la fleur de lys. J'ai parcouru les villes pour aller à Paris. (x2) C'est aujourd'hui, beau prince, vive le jour, Que mort te faut subir, vive la fleur de lys. C'est aujourd'hui, beau prince, que mort te faut subir. (x2) J'en tuerai bien quatorze, vive le jour, Avant que de mourir, vive la fleur de lys. J'en tuerai bien quatorze avant que de mourir. (x2) Tira sa claire épée, vive le jour, Vaillamment se battit, vive la fleur de lys. Tira sa claire épée vaillamment se battit. (x2) Il en tua quatorze, vive le jour, Sans pouvoir s'y lassir,* vive la fleur de lys. Il en tua quatorze sans pouvoir s'y lassir, (x2) Quand ça vint au quinzième, vive le jour, Son épée d'or rompit, vive la fleur de lys. Quand ça vint au quinzième, son épée d'or rompit (x2) Oh, petit Jean, mon page, vive le jour, Viens donc me secourir, vive la fleur de lys. Oh, petit Jean, mon page, viens donc me secourir. (x2) Va-t'en dire à ta reine, vive le jour, Qu'elle n'a plus de mari, vive la fleur de lys.

KING EUGENE – THE FLEUR DE LYS (Non-singable translation by Casey) On a day, King Eugene, as he rode out of Paris, Saw fifteen men a-coming, Long live the day His greatest enemies. Long live the fleur-de-lys Saw fifteen men a-coming, his greatest enemies. (x2) Tell me King Eugene, Long live the day What you’ve done in your life? Long live the fleur-de-lys Tell me King Eugene, what you’ve done in your life? (x2) I’ve traveled the towns all over, Long live the day A-going to Paris Long live the fleur-de-lys I’ve traveled the towns all over, a-going to Paris. (x2) Today’s the day, Eugene, Long live the day The day you’ll suffer death. Long live the fleur-de-lys Today’s the day, Eugene, the day you’ll suffer death. (x2) Then I’ll kill fourteen of you Long live the day Before I die! Long live the fleur-de-lys Then I’ll kill fourteen of you before I die! (x2) Drew out his bright sword, Long live the day And valiantly fought he. Long live the fleur-de-lys Drew out his bright sword, and valiantly fought he. (x2) Killed fourteen Long live the day Without growing weary. Long live the fleur-de-lys Killed fourteen without growing weary. (x2) When it came to the fifteenthLong live the day His gold sword snapped. Long live the fleur-de-lys When it came to the fifteenth, his gold sword snapped. (x2) Oh little Jean my page, Long live the day Come and lend your aid! Long live the fleur-de-lys Oh little Jean my page, come and lend your aid! (x2) Go and tell your Queen Long live the day That her husband is no more. Long live the fleur-de-lys

*The actual verb is "lasser" but in old songs the infinitive or participle ending was sometimes changed for rhyming purposes.

Recording by Malicorne (1973)

This is an article with the history of this song in France, and identifying a descendent of this song that has evolved into a Canadian canoe-paddling song. (If you can access it as a member)
You can find a version with score and lyrics collected by Marius Barbeau on the Canadian Museum of History.
You can find another version on this copy of the texts (so no scores) included in "Folk Songs of Old Quebec" by Marius Barbeau.
You can listen to a slightly different version sung by Jacques Labrecque.
In this pdf copy of "Le Fureteur Breton, 1911, (in French) you'll find "La chanson de Bois-Gilles" that has some verses in common with the King/Prince Eugene song.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: DaveRo
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 02:37 PM

I know this from the McGarrigles:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bFeEjiWuGFg

"V'là M'sieur l' curé qu'arrive"

Kate and Anna sing "Voilà l'Curé qu'arrive" which is much better - a great piece of assonance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 01:48 PM

This song has already been posted on Mudcat but had no translation posted. So here it is again with a literal one.

PERRINE ÉTAIT SERVANTE (French) Perrine était servante, (x2) Chez Monsieur le curé, digue don da dondaine Chez Monsieur le curé, digue don da dondé ! Son amant vint la vouère (x2) Un soir après l' dîner... Perrine, ô ma Perrine (x2) J' voudrais-ti bien t' biser Oh ! grand nigaud, qu' t'es bête ! (x2) Ça s' prend sans s' demander !... V'là M'sieur l' curé qu'arrive (x2) Où j' vas-ti bien t' cacher ? ... Cache-té dedans la huche ! (x2) I' saura pas t' trouver ! ... Il y resta six s'maines (x2) Elle l'avait oublié ! ... Au bout de six semaines (x2) Les rats l'avaient bouffé ! ... Z' avaient rongé son crâne (x2) Et puis tous ses doigts de pied ... On fit creuser son crâne (x2) Pour faire un bénitier... On fit monter ses jambes (x2) Pour faire un chandelier... Voilà la triste histoire (x2) D'un jeune homme à marier... Qu'allait trop voir les filles (x2) Le soir après l' dîner ! ...

PERRINE WAS A SERVANT MAID Perrine was a servant maid, (x2) At the priest's house, digue don da dondaine At the priest's house, digue don da dondé! Her lover came to see her (x2) One evening after dinner... Perrine, oh my Perrine (x2) I would like to kiss you Oh! big booby, how stupid you are! (x2) It's taken without asking  !... Here comes the priest (x2) Where am I going to hide you? ... Hide in the bread bin! (x2) He won't be able to find you! ... He stayed there six weeks (x2) She had forgotten about him! ... After six weeks (x2) The rats had eaten him! ... They'd gnawed his skull (x2) And then all his toes... His skull was hollowed out (x2) To make a stoup... His legs were put up (x2) To make a candle holder... That's the sad story (x2) Of a marriageable young man... Who was going to see the girls too much (x2) On the evenings after dinner! ...

On 08/05/02, Joe posted the notes I'd sent him about this song but here they are again with some edition:

Here is the version I have on different books (and the way I learned it) with accents and all.
On the second verse, the spelling "vouère" reflects the old pronounciation of the "oi" spelling now pronounced [wa] though the aperture of the [a] varies from a wide open "a" in the South to a rather closed "é" in some parts of France and tends to "o" in other parts. So it's no real clue to trace it back but it's said to be from the 19th century.
"Cache-té" is "Cache-toi" (Hide /Hide yourself) for the same reason.
The "ti" (2nd, 5th verse) is a popular particle added after the verb in questions (J'y vas-ti, j'y vas-ti pas?) in some areas.
The conjugation "je vas" (5th verse) is also popular (standard "je vais"), so is saying "i" instead of "il" before consonant (i' saura pas t' trouver),
9th verse: the "z" (z'avaient rongé...) is what remains from the original liaison "ils_avaient"

Note also that "Monsieur le curé" is the formal way to address or to speak about a catholic priest. We use "Monsieur le..." to address or speak about a mayor, a president, a secretary/minister... etc. "Madame la ..." is used for a woman.
"bouffé" is slang for "eaten".
This song originated in Western France. Different variants have been collected from Poitou to High Britanny.
The song as we know it now has been popularized by Les Compagnons de la Chanson (1946) and is quite recent.

Recording by Anne Sylvestre
Recording by Les compagnons de la chanson
Live rendition by Les compagnons de la chanson at their beginnings.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 29 Jun 22 - 02:43 AM

On Monday Dawn Berg sang Cha Bhi Mi Buan (I Will Not Survive).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 28 Jun 22 - 01:04 AM

Last night, Steve sang...

PIVNIČKOVÁ Stará Pivničková na jarmark sa strojá jaj danom tanaj danom na jarmark sa strojá Ja ty cero moja pozor dávaj doma jaj danom tanaj danom pozor dávaj doma    Ona pozor dala zle se zachovala jaj danom tanaj danom zle se zachovala    Jak práh překročila syna porodila jaj danom tanaj danom syna orodila Dúhý nůž si vzala krk mu podřezala jaj danom tanaj danom krk mu podřezala  Na milého lúce zakopala ruce jaj danom tanaj danom zakopala ruce Na milého roli zakopala nohy jaj danom tanaj danom zakopala nohy Na milého nivu zakopala hlavu jaj danom tanaj danom zakopala hlavu Do kosně běžela bielé groše brala jaj danom tanaj danom bielé groše brala Zahrajte ně hudci za mé bielé groše jaj danom tanaj danom za mé bielé groše Abych já užila panenskej rozkoše jaj danom tanaj danom panenskej rozkoše Bože múj přebože co sem udělala jaj danom tanaj danom, co sem udělala

PIVNIČKOVÁ Old Pivničková was getting dressed for the fair, Jaj danom, danaj danom*, was getting dressed for the fair. Oh my daughter, be careful and take care of our house, Jaj danom, danaj danom, be careful and take care of our house. She was careful, but did something bad, Jaj danom, danaj danom, but did something bad. As she stepped into the house, she gave birth to a son, Jaj danom, danaj danom, she gave birth to a son. She took a long knife and slit his throat, Jaj danom, danaj danom, and slit his throat. On her lover's meadow, she buried the hands, Jaj danom, danaj danom, she buried the hands. On her lover's field, she buried the feet, jaj danom, danaj danom, she buried the feet. On her lover's grassland, she buried the head, Jaj danom, danaj danom, she buried the head. She run to the wardrobe, took out the white coins Jaj danom, danaj danom, took out the white coins. Fiddlers, play me a song for my white coins. Jaj danom, danaj danom, for my white coins. That I can enjoy the virginal pleasures. Jaj danom, danaj danom, the virginal pleasures. God, oh my god, what have I done? Jaj danom, danaj danom, what have I done?

*"jaj danom, danaj danom": "j" should be pronounced as "y" in "you" and "a" as "ah".

This translation by Michal Majek has been borrowed from LyricsTranslate

Lyrics and score, it's the 4th song.
Lyrics and chords in this pdf document, # 119 on page 74 of the pdf = page 72 of the document.
Longer and alternate versions on this pdf college document, page 69 -all in Czech.

Live recording by Čechomor
Live rendition by Čechomor

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 02:21 PM

L'INGLESINA 1 E l'era il fiöl d'un conte e voleva pià mujé Lui voleva l'inglesina, perché figlia d'un cavalier (x2) 2 La sera l'impromete e la notte la sposò E poi l'indoman matina verso Merica se ne andò 3 L'ha fai seicent chilometri senza mai parlar E poi ne fece altri cento, poi cominciò a sospirar 4"Cosa sospiri oi mia, cosa sospiri tu?" "Io sospiro la mia o mamma che non la rivedrò mai più" 5"Oh se sospiri questo hai tutte le ragion, oh ma se tu sospiri d'altro, il pugnale l'è preparà." 6 "Che mi presta signor conte, che mi presta il suo pugnal? Ho da tagliare un ramoscello per far d'ombra al mio caval!" 7 Appena lo ebbe in mano sul cuore lo piantò. E poi volta indré il cavallo, verso casa se ne andò. 8 Appena arriva in piazza suo fratello comincia dir: "Oh come mai sorella mia, come mai ritrovarti qui?" 9 "Due brutti assassini m'hanno ucciso mio marì. Oh se vuoi che dica il vero, l'ho ucciso propi mi."

THE YOUNG ENGLISH GIRL 1 He was the son of a count and he wanted to take a wife He wanted the young English girl, because she was the daughter of a knight (x2) 2 In the evening he got engaged to her and at night he married her And then the next morning towards Merica he went. 3 She did six hundred miles without ever speaking And then she did another hundred, then she began to sigh 4 "What do you regret oh sweetie, what do you regret?" "I regret my mother for I'll never see her again" 5 "Oh if you regret this, you are very right, Oh but if you regret someone else, the dagger is prepared." 6 "Will you lend me, sir, will you lend me your dagger? I have to cut a twig to shade my horse!" 7 As soon as she had it in hand, in his heart she planted it. And then she turned her horse back, toward home she went. 8 As soon as she reached the square her brother began saying: "Oh how come, my sister, how come to find you here?" 9 "Two evil murderers killed my husband. Oh if you want me to tell the truth, I killed him myself."

This song is an Italian version of Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight. In a comment at one of the links below, it reads that the informer probably forgot to sing the stanza (between 5 and 6) in which the count/earl tells her how many wives he killed before.
In some versions, he takes her to France, in this one he takes her to 'Merica (America). In many versions they ride for "miles" while here they ride for "chilometri" so the lyrics change happened after the French Revolution, the "km" length unit was created in 1790.

Lyrics and comments here at the bottom of the page.

Tagliani Family's version
Slightly different version by Vox Populi
Live rendition in Piedmontese.
Different sets of lyrics in an article in Terre Celtiche -Italian & English.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 24 Jun 22 - 11:48 AM

The song listed as "Jesus Jesus (sung in Irish Gaelic)" in the summary of songs sung in the 6 June 2022 sing about may have been Fáilte Romhat, a Íosa

The following week, Linn Phipps sang a Scottish Gaelic song, Crò Chinn t-Sàile, The Cattle Fold of Kintail. https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=171400

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 16 Jun 22 - 03:33 PM

On Monday, Elsa sang Dodi Li in Hebrew, and Casey sang Je suis trop jeunette in French.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 13 Jun 22 - 01:01 PM

ROMANCE DE ISABEL (Spanish) En Madrid hay un palacio que le llaman de oropel y allí vive una señora que le llaman Isabel. No la quieren dar sus padres a ningún Conde o Marqués por más dinero que cuenten tres contadores al mes. Una noche muy oscura, al juego del alfiler la ha ganado un bello mozo, bello mozo aragonés. Para casarse con ella, mató a sus hermanos tres, mató a su padre y su madre, y luego con ella fue. En el medio del camino, llora la niña Isabel. ¿Por qué lloras niña mía, por qué lloras, Isabel? Si lloras por tus hermanos, por tus hermanitos tres, a tu padre y a tu madre, también muertos les dejé. -No lloro por mis hermanos, por mis hermanitos tres, que lloro por el puñal de oro, que quiero que me lo des. -Dime para que le quieres; dime cómo y para qué. -Para partir una pera, que vengo muerta de sed. Se lo ha dado del derecho, le ha cogido del revés, Si tú mataras a mis padres, yo también te mataré.

ISABEL'S ROMANCE/BALLAD In Madrid there is a palace that they call a tinsel/ostentatious palace And there lives a lady called Isabel. Her parents do not want to give her away to any count or marquis No matter how much money three accountants count each month. One very dark night, in a pin game, A handsome young man won her, a handsome young man from Aragon. To marry her, he killed her three brothers, Killed her father and mother, and then went with her. In the middle of the journey, young Isabel cries. "Why are you crying, girl of mine; why are you crying, Isabel? If you cry for your brothers, for your three little brothers, Your father and your mother, them too I left dead." "I'm not crying for my brothers, for my three little brothers, I weep for the golden dagger, which I want you to give me." "Tell me what you want it for, tell me how and what for." "To split a pear, for I'm very thirsty (lit. I'm dying of thirst)." He gave it to her forward, she took it backward, "As you killed my parents, I'll kill you too."

Lyrics and recording by Joaquín Díaz.


Another version:

EN MADRID HAY UN PALACIO (Spanish) En Madrid hay un palacio que le llaman de oropel, y en él vive una señora, cuyo nombre es Isabel. No la quieren dar sus padres ni a un Conde, ni a un Marqués, ni por dinero que valga a una corona de Rey. Estando un día jugando al juego del alfiler, pasó por allí un caballo un guerrero montañés. La ha cogido de la mano se la ha llevado con él, y en la mitad del camino llora la triste Isabel. ¿Por qué lloras, niña mía? ¿Por qué lloras, Isabel? Si lloras por tus hermanos, no los volverás a ver. No lloro por nada de eso, ni por ningún interés. Lloro por un puñal de oro. Puñal de oro, ¿para qué? Ya te lo traería yo, si me dices que has de hacer. He de cortar una fruta porque estoy muerta de sed. Él se lo ha dado al derecho, y ella lo toma al revés para clavarlo en su pecho, y así verse libre de él.

IN MADRID THERE IS A PALACE In Madrid there is a palace that they call a tinsel one, And in it lives a lady whose name is Isabel. Her parents don't want to give her away, neither to a count, nor to a marquis, Nor for any money worth, to a king's crown. One day playing the pin game, A horse passed by, a mountain warrior. He has taken her by the hand, he has taken her away with him, And in the middle of the trip/journey, sad Isabel cries. "Why are you crying, girl of mine? Why are you crying, Isabel? If you cry for your brothers, you won't see them again." "I don't cry for any of that, nor for any interest. I cry for a golden dagger." "Golden dagger, what for? I would bring it to you if you tell me what you have to do" "I have to cut a fruit because I'm dying of thirst." He has given it to her forwards, and she takes it backwards To stick it in his chest, and thus be free of him.

Note that in both translations, I hardly changed the verb tenses even if it sounds weird in English.
In some versions, it's not clear who was playing but in some others it's quite clear that she was gambled in some game (chess, "pin" or some gibberish name).

Recording by Joaquín Díaz along with the same recording and the lyrics on his website

Score on YouTube.

Cancionero de romances (Ballads songbook)

Rico Franco page on University of Washington Pan-Hispanic Ballad Project. Rico Franco/Ricofranco is the equivalent to Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight in languages that originated in the Iberic Peninsula.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Jun 22 - 08:14 PM

CUMHA AN FHILE - Irish Gaelic
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=171333

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 06 Jun 22 - 12:55 PM

RATTO AL BALLO / AN SÜ LA RIVA DE LU MAR (Piedmontese) An sü la riva de lu mar a i'è na dòna che canta, la-ra An sü la riva de lu mar a i'è na dòna che canta, la-ra A i'è na dòna che canta. El fiöl del re dis ai so scudiè "Chi l'è c'la dòna che canta? la-ra El fiöl del re dis ai so scudiè "Chi l'è c’la dòna che canta? la-ra Chi l'è c'la dòna che canta." "Bela che canta fa pà per vüi, l'è dòna maridèia, la-ra "Bela che canta fa pà per vüi, l'è dòna maridèia, la-ra L'è dòna maridèia." "O maridà o da maridé, la vöi ai me cumandi, la-ra "O maridà o da maridé, la vöi ai me cumandi, la-ra La vöi ai me cumandi." El fiöl del re fa dé d'ün bal per dòne maridèie, la-ra El fiöl del re fa dé d'ün bal per dòne maridèie, la-ra Per done maridèie. La bela dis a so marì "Laseme ‘ndé cun i'autre" la-ra "Se vüi andè turnerai pà chi sei pì bela che i autre", la-ra Chi sei pì bela che i autre. Quan che la bela l’è sta' sül bal el fiöl del re s'la vistla, la-ra L'à faie fé dui o tre gir, pöi l'à mnala in sua stansia, la-ra L'à mnala in sua stansia "Cos na diran le mie masnà ch'i vad pì nen a casa?", la-ra "Pensé pa' pì a vostre masnà, pensé d'aveine d'autre, la-ra Pensé d'aveine d'autre" S' l'é la dui o tre dì, l'à mnala in riva al mare, la-ra L’avia mac fait dui o tre pas as sent a ciamé "mare", As sent a ciamé "mare". L’à fait 'l segn d’la Santa Crus e ant'el mar s'è campéia, la-ra "Sia maledét, maledét l'amùr di dòna maridèia, la-ra Di dòna maridèia".

ABDUCTION AT THE BALL On the seashore, there's a woman a-singing, la-ra On the seashore, there's a woman a-singing, la-ra There's a woman a-singing. The king's son says to his squires, "Who's that woman who's singing? la-ra The king's son says to his squires, "Who's that woman who's singing? la-ra Who is that woman who's singing." "Woman (lit. "beauty") a-singing is not for you, she's a married woman, la-ra "Woman a-singing is not for you, she's a married woman, la-ra She's a married woman." "Either married or marriageable, I want her at my disposal, la-ra "Either married or marriageable, I want her at my disposal, la-ra I want her at my disposal." The king's song has given a ball for married women. la-ra The king's song has given a ball for married women, la-ra For married women. The beauty says to her husband, "Let me go with the others" la-ra "If you go, you won't come back because you're more beautiful than the others", la-ra You're more beautiful than the others. When the beauty was at the ball, the king's son saw her, la-ra He had her do two or three turnarounds, then he took her to his (bed)room, la-ra He took her to his (bed)room. "What will my children say as I don't go home anymore?", la-ra "Think no more about your children, think about having some others, la-ra Think about having some others" After two or three days at his place, he took her on the seaside, la-ra She hadn't made two or three steps that she heard call "mother" She heard call "mother" She made the sign of the holy cross and threw herself in the sea, la-ra "Let it be cursed, cursed, the love of a married woman, la-ra Of a married woman "

Recording from Il canzioniere del Piemonte
Recording by La Ciapa Rusa

Article in Italian with different versions on Terre Celtiche Blog

Several versions collected by Constantino Nigra in Canti popolari del Piemonte (1888)

Pdf displaying the different versions collected in the book at the link just above.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 30 May 22 - 02:20 PM

LA FILHA D’UN PAÏSAN (Occitan) De bon matin se lèva La filha d’un païsan. Se lèva amai s’abilha Ne pren sos abits blancs. Son paire ie damanda : - Filha, ont volètz anar ? - Voli’nar a Lauzun, paire, Veire lo rèi passar. - Non i anguètz pas ma filha, Que vos’n tornariatz pas ! - Si farai ben, mon paire, Que non me veiràn pas.. Lo rèi n’èra en fenèstra, La regardèt passar. - Qual es aquela dama Que passa per mon prat ? - Sire, non sèi pas dama, Sèi filha d’un païsan. - Poiriatz l’èstre d’un prince, Que vos’n tornariatz pas. M' zo aviá plan dit mon paire, Que me’n tornariái pas.

A FARMER'S DAUGHTER A farmer's daughter Gets up early She gets up and she gets dressed She puts her white clothes on (lit. "takes"). Her father asks her, "Daughter, where do you mean to go?" "I want to go to Lauzun, father, To see the king pass by." "Don't go, daughter, As you wouldn't come back." "I'll do so well, father, That they won't see me." The king was at the window, He watched her pass by. "Who's that lady Who passes by my meadow?" "Sire, I'm no lady, I'm a farmer's daughter." "You could be a prince's, You wouldn't go back [home]" "My father had indeed told me so, That I wouldn't go back."

Recording by Rosina de Pèira e Martina
Live rendition by Las Salvajonas of a merging of 2 different versions.

You can find the scores of different tunes in Les vieilles chansons patoises du Périgord by Eugène Chaminade, chez Cassard Jeune, Périgueux, 1903 (2ème édition) as "Dé boun mati che lèbo". Note that the versions D and E are not about the king but some local lord who kidnaps her "to wash the dishes and clean the house".


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 23 May 22 - 01:03 PM

DIGA, JOANETA (Occitan) (Mont-Jòia version) 1. Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? Lalireta ! Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? -Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. Lalireta ! Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. 2. Prendrai un òme que sache laurar. Lalireta ! Prend ne un òme que sache laurar, Fòire la vinha, meissonar lo blat. Lalireta ! Fòire la vinha, meissonar lo blat.» Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? Lalireta ! Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? -Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. Lalireta ! Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. 3. Tendrem botiga, vendrem de tabat. Lalireta ! Tendrem botiga, vendrem de tabat : Cinc sòus lo roge, dotze lo muscat. Lalireta ! Cinc sòus lo roge*, dotze lo muscat*. Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? Lalireta ! Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? -Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. Lalireta ! Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. 4. Per lo dimenge, n'aurem lo cabanon**, Lalireta ! Per lo dimenge, n'aurem lo cabanon, E per lo vèspre, la television, Lalireta ! E per lo vèspre la television Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? Lalireta ! Diga, Joaneta, te vòs ti logar ? -Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar. Lalireta ! Nani, ma maire, me vòle maridar.

TELL, JANET 1. Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? Larireta! Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? No, mother, I want to get married, Larireta! No, mother, I want to get married. 2. I'll take a man who knows how to plow Larireta! I'll take a man who knows how to plow, To hoe the vineyard, to reap the wheat, Larireta! To hoe the vineyard, to reap the wheat. Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? Larireta! Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? No, mother, I want to get married, Larireta! No, mother, I want to get married. 3. We'll run a store, we'll sell tobacco, Larireta! We'll run a store, we'll sell tobacco, Five cent the red one, twelve the muscat Larireta! Five cents the red one, twelve the muscat Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? Larireta! Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? No, mother, I want to get married, Larireta! No, mother, I want to get married. 4. For the Sunday, we'll have the little cabin, Larireta! For the Sunday, we'll have the little cabin And for the evening, the television Larirera! And for the evening, the television. Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? Larireta! Tell, Janet, do you want to be hired? No, mother, I want to get married, Larireta! No, mother, I want to get married.

Note that the spelling of the girl can be "Joaneta", "Jeaneta", "Janeta", "Janeto"…
*"roge", "muscat": old names of certain snuffs unless she also intended to sell wine
** "cabin": the last verse was penned by Mont-Jòia themselves, so from Provence where a "cabanon" was/is a "little cabin" (lit.) on the coast or in the countryside where people went/go on Sunday to spend some time relaxing with family and/or friends.

Alternate/additional verses

2. Amb un violonaire que me farà dançar… Vòli prendre un òme que sache trabalhar… 3. Fòire la vinha e dalhar lo prat... Farem botica e vendrem de tabat... 4. Cinq sòus lo roge, quinze lo muscat... Riques e paures, totis aquí vendràn… 5. Farem un dròlle per fin de cada an... Quand n'aurem dotze, per nos trabalharàn...

2. With a fiddler who'll make me dance… I want to take a man who knows how to work… 3. Hoe the vineyard and scythe the meadow… We'll run a store and we'll sell tobacco… 4. Five cents the red one, fifteen the muscat… Rich and poor, all will come here… 5. We'll make a child every end of year… When we have twelve, they'll work for us…

Source: Anthologie de la chanson occitane, Cécile Marie, G.P Maisonneuve et Larose, 1975.

You'll find it with a score on this page of "Chants populaires de la Provence" tome 1, Damase Arbaud, 1802, where he says that the song was sung by young Savoy boys when making their groundhog dance. -Note that the spelling on this book is based on French spelling while the one I gave is in normalized spelling.

For those who know French:
Wikitrad" page of "Diga Janeta".
A pdf with a score, some background and an alternate verse 2 that goes "Un violonaire te farem donar… De violonaire, ieu ne' vòli pas" (We'll have you given a fiddler… A fiddler, I don't want him)
More information about the song and its variants on Thibault Plantevin's valuable website Zic Trad.

Recording by Mont-Jòia
Recording by La Ferigouleto
Recording by Mezzaluna Tarbes
Recording by Lhi Balòs
Recording by Hombeline


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: GerryM
Date: 23 May 22 - 03:31 AM

Joan, my apologies. I have edited the faulty entry in the song list.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: GUEST,Guest Joan F
Date: 22 May 22 - 03:59 AM

I sang it in English, as I *can't* sing in Irish. Trust me on that one.

I did do the chorus in what my source for the song, Ciara Thompson at her lecture at the Traditional Song Forum, said were "vocables", i.e. nonsense syllables used in Irish lullabies.

Turns out I was mispronouncing one & its not just a vocable, said Felipa, but a real Irish word, seoithin (sp?), meaning "sough of the wind".

I wrote to Ciara T. about this & she says that its thought that the vocables in Irish lullabies are what remain of ancient charms/spells, so they can have both retained real-word meanings & nonsense-for-lullaby "meanings".

Makes sense to me!

I still don't pretend to get Irish pronunciations right.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 18 May 22 - 08:04 PM

This week Joan Frankel sang a song in Irish, A Bhean Úd Thios air Bhruach an tSrutháin. I have created a discussion thread for the song (Not to be confused with An Bhean Úd Thall) https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=171283. One of the links in the first message is not clickable, but if that link doesn't get repaired you can copy and paste it or use the clickable link to https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/music/petrie_and_music_of_clare2.htm towards the end of the second message.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 17 May 22 - 06:55 PM

Yesterday, Casey sang...

LE MARIAGE ANGLAIS (French) C'était la fille d'un roi français Que l'on marie à un Anglais Oh ! Mes chers frères, empêchez de m'emmener J'aimerais mieux soldat français que roi anglais Et quand ce vint pour l'épouser Dedans Paris, fallut passer Il n'y a dame de Paris qui ne pleurait De voir partir la fille du roi à un Anglais Et quand ce vint pour embarquer Les yeux lui a voulu bander Bande les tiens, laisse les miens, maudit Anglais ! Car j'ai la mer à traverser, je la verrai Et quand ce vint pour débarquer Tambours, violons de tous côtés Retirez-vous, tambouriniers et violoniers ! Car j'aime mieux le son du hautbois du roi français Et quand ce vint pour le souper Du pain lui a voulu couper Coupe le tien, laisse le mien, maudit Anglais ! Car j'ai des gens de mon pays pour me nourrir Et quand ce vint pour le coucher L'Anglais voulut la déchausser Déchausse-toi et laisse-moi, maudit Anglais ! Car j'ai des gens de mon pays pour me servir Et quand ce vint vers la minuit L'Anglais ne faisait que pleurer Retourne-toi, embrasse-moi, mon cher Anglais ! Puisque nos pères nous ont mariés, il faut s'aimer.

THE ENGLISH WEDDING She was the daughter of a French king Who was married off to an Englishman; Oh! My dear brothers, stop my being taken away I would rather a French soldier than an English king And when time came to marry her Inside Paris they had to pass There was no lady in Paris who did not cry To see the king's daughter go to an Englishman And when time came to board He wanted to blindfold her eyes Blindfold yours, leave mine, damn Englishman! For I have the sea to cross, I will see it And when time came to land Drums, fiddles everywhere. Withdraw, drummers and fiddlers! For I prefer the sound of the oboe of the French king And when time came for supper He wanted to cut bread for her Cut yours, leave mine, damn Englishman! For I have people from my country to feed me And when time came to go to bed The Englishman wanted to take her shoes off Take off your shoes and leave me, damn Englishman! For I have people from my country to serve me And when time came around midnight The Englishman did nothing but cry. Turn around, embrace* me, my dear Englishman! Since our fathers married us off, we must love each other.

*Note: at that time "embrasser" meant what it literally says, i.e. "embrace". It passed to mean "to kiss" in the late 1700's early 1800 (according to the Académie Française then dictionaries) as the verb "baiser" originally meaning "to kiss" had changed its meaning to "to fuck".

Recording by Malicorne
Live rendition by Malicorne (song begins around 1:30)
On Gabriel Yacoub's website you'll find this piece of information in French:(translated by Google -that late at night, I don't translate much by myself)
This song is of Norman origin but the date of its composition is uncertain. It "celebrated" either the marriage of Henriette de France, daughter of Henry IV, with Charles 1st of England, or according to Amélie Bosquet (1815- 1904), Norman folklorist, that of Catherine de Valois, daughter of Charles VI, with Henry V, King of England
The first verse is a melody of Quebec origin. The song is followed by "Domino Fidelium" Gregorian motet from the school of Notre-Dame.

Here is what Amélie Bosquet says in her book
La Normandie, romanesque et merveilleuse ; traditions, légendes et superstitions populaires de cette province (1845) -in French, translated by Google translate.
"The romance we are about to quote is still sung today in the vicinity of Saint-Valéry-en-Gaux. Without being able to indicate precisely the origin of this popular song and the time of its primitive composition, we believe that we are not forming a conjecture devoid of probability, by saying that it seems to us to have been composed on the occasion of the marriage of the princess Catherine of France, daughter of Charles VI, with Henry V, King of England. "

And here are the lyrics she collected.

Le Roi a une fille à marier, A un Anglois veut la donner, Elle ne veut mais : - Jamais mari n'épouserai s'il n'est François.- La belle ne voulant céder, Sa sœur s'en vint la conjurer. - Acceptez, ma sœur, acceptez à cette fois, C'est pour paix à France donner avec l'Anglois.- Et, quand ce vint pour s'embarquer, Les yeux on lui voulut bander : - Eh ! Ôte-toi, retire-toi, franc traître Anglois Car je veux voir jusqu'à la fin le sol françois.- Et, quand ce vint pour arriver, Le châtel étoit pavoisé, - Eh ! Ôte-toi, retire-toi, franc traître Anglois, Ce n'est pas là le drapeau blanc du roi françois.- Et, quand ce vint pour le souper, Pas ne voulut boire ou manger  : - Éloigne-toi, retire-toi, franc traître Anglois, Ce n'est pas là le pain, le vin du roy françois- Et, quand ce vint pour le coucher, L'Anglois la voulut déchausser : - Éloigne-toi, retire-toi, franc traître anglois, Jamais homme n'y touchera, s'il n'est François. - Et, quand ce vint sur la minuit, Elle fit entendre grand bruit. En s'écriant avec douleur : -O Roi des rois Ne me laissez entre les bras de cet Anglois. - Quatre heures sonnant à la tour, La belle finissoit ses jours, La belle finissoit ses jours d'un cœur joyeux. Et les Anglois y pleuraient tous d'un cœur piteux !

The King has a daughter to marry off, To an Englishman he wants to give her, She doesn't want to: - No husband will I ever marry if he's not a Frenchman.- [As] The beauty didn't want to give in, Her sister came to beseech her. - Accept, my sister, accept this time, It's to give France peace with the English.- And, when time came to embark, Her eyes they wanted to blindfold: - Hey! Get out, withdraw, utter English traitor For I want to see French land until the end.- And, when time came to arrive, The castle was decked out, - Hey! Get out, withdraw, utter English traitor, This is not the white flag the French king.- And, when time came for supper, She didn't want to drink or eat: - Go away, withdraw, utter English traitor, This is not the bread, the wine of the French king.- And, when time came for bed, The Englishman wanted to take her shoes off: - Go away, withdraw, utter English traitor, No man will ever touch it, if he is no Frenchman. - And, when time came about midnight, She made a loud noise. Crying out in pain: -O King of kings Do not leave me in the arms of this Englishman. - Four o'clock strikes at the tower, The beauty was ending her days, The beauty ended her days with a happy heart. And the English all wept there with pitiful hearts!

LE MARIAGE ANGLAIS - singing of Malicorne
Here is the singable translation penned by Casey

Once was a daughter of a king of France
Promised in her youth to an English man
Dearest brothers, do not let them give my hand
Better I should marry a soldier lad of my own land

When came the hour they two were wed
She through the streets was royally led
Not a Parisian lady but wept most bitterly
To see the princess betrothèd to an English King

When came the hour to put to sea
The Englishman sought to bind her ee
Bind your own, let mine alone, foul Englishman
I will see the water divide me from my native land.

When came the hour they come to land
Fiddlers and drums on every hand
Get you from me, English players, cease your dance
I prefer the *hautboys of the King of France

When came the hour their meal to take
The Englishman sought her bread to break
Break your own, let mine alone, foul Englishman
I will take my bread from a serving maid of my own land

When they retired unto their room
The Englishman knelt to unlace her shoon
Unlace your own, leave mine alone, foul Englishman
I have a tiring maid of my own land

And as the midnight hour drew near
The Englishman sighed and shed many a tear
Turn again, and take my hand dear Englishman,
Since we are wed, we must love one another if we can.

*an instrument like an oboe


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 16 May 22 - 02:11 PM

LOS DOS FILHETS DEL REI (Occitan) A la guèrra qui i va, Qui i va non tòrna gaire. Òc, los dos filhets del rei A la guèrra son anadis. Joanet jamai n'es tornat E Joan-Francesc pas encara, Sa maire lo vic venir Per un prat que verdavaja. Qué ne pòrtas, mieu filhòt ? Qué pòrtas de las batalhas ? Entre jo e mon caval Ne portam vint-e-nòu plagas. Mon caval pòrta las nòu, Jo paubret totas las autras. Ma maire fètz-me lo lèit, No i demorarai pas gaire. Serai mòrt a mièja nuèit, Mon caval a punta d’alba, M'enterraretz al sagrat, Mon caval a la passada. M'enramelaretz de flors, Mon caval de totas armas, Passaràn los passejants, Diràn : quina bèla tomba ! La tomba del filh del rei Qu’a ganhat fòrça batalhas, La tomba del filh del rei Que n’es mòrt a las batalhas. Las campanas de Madrid Sonaràn a punta d'alba, Sonaràn per mon baron Qu’a ganhat fòrça batalhas, Sonaràn per mon baron Que n'es mòrt a las batalhas.

THE TWO YOUNG SONS OF THE KING To war, whoever goes, Whoever goes, seldom comes back. Yes, the two young sons of the king Have gone to war. Johnny never returned And John-Francis [has] not [returned] yet, His mother saw him come Across a verdant meadow. "What do you bring, my little son? What do you bring from the battles?" "Between I and my horse, We bring twenty-nine wounds. My horse brings nine [of them], I, poor little me, all the others. Mother, make my bed, I won't stay there long. I'll be dead at midnight, My horse at daybreak, You'll bury me in holy ground, My horse in the pathway. You'll adorn me with flowers, My horse with all [my] arms. The strollers will pass by, They'll say, 'What a beautiful grave! The grave of the king's son Who won many battles, The grave of the king's son Who died at war'.' (lit. at the battles) Madrid bells Will ring at daybreak, They'll ring for my baron Who won many battles, They'll ring for my baron Who died at war. (lit. at the battles)

It's the first song rehearsed in this workshop.
Recording by Renat Jurié
Recording by Ramon Manent


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 15 May 22 - 06:52 AM

On Monday, Anne Coleman sang "Sios Dhan An Abhainn", a Scottish Gaelic version of "Down to the River to Pray". You'll find the lyrics and a translation posted by RunrigFan in this post along with English versions and background.
You'll also find the lyrics below this beautiful recording by Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seoid.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 15 May 22 - 06:23 AM

On Monday Joe Fineman sang "Auprès de ma blonde".
The lyrics are already in Mudcat DT
There's also a thread about the song but no translation. So here is the version I learned as a child and a translation.
Note that the 2nd line of each verse becomes the 1st line of the next one making the song 11 verses long instead of 6.

AUPRÈS DE MA BLONDE (French) 1. Au jardin de mon père les lilas sont fleuris (x2) Tous les oiseaux du monde viennent y faire leurs nids Chorus Auprès de ma blonde, qu'il fait bon, fait bon, fait bon, Auprès de ma blonde, qu'il fait bon dormir. 2. La caille, la tourterelle, et la jolie perdrix (x2) Et la jolie colombe qui chante jour et nuit. 3. Qui chante pour les filles qui n'ont pas de mari (x2) Pour moi, ne chante guère car j'en ai un joli. 4. Dites-nous donc, la belle, où donc est vot' mari ? (x2) Il est dans la Hollande, les Hollandais l’ont pris. 5.Que donn'riez-vous, la belle, pour avoir vot' mari ? (x2) Je donnerais Versailles, Paris et Saint-Denis. 6. Les tours de Notre-Dame et les cloches de mon pays (x2) Et ma jolie colombe qui chante jour et nuit.

NEXT TO MY GIRLFRIEND 1. In my father's garden the lilacs are in bloom (x2) All the birds in the world come to build their nests here. Chorus Next to my girlfriend, how good, how good, how good, Next to my girlfriend, how good it is to sleep. 2. The quail, the dove, and the pretty partridge (x2) And the pretty dove that sings day and night. 3. That sings for girls who have no husband (x2) It hardly sings for me as I have a pretty one. 4. Tell us, beauty, where is your husband? (x2) He is in Holland, the Dutch took him. 5.What would you give, beauty, to have your husband? (x2) I would give Versailles, Paris and Saint-Denis. 6. The towers of Notre-Dame and the bells of my home area (x2) And my pretty dove that sings day and night.

From English Wiki "Auprès de ma blonde" (French for "Next to My Girlfriend") or "Le Prisonnier de Hollande" ("The Prisoner of Holland") is a popular song dating to the 17th century... It appeared during or soon after the Franco-Dutch War (1672–78), during the reign of Louis XIV, when French sailors and soldiers were commonly imprisoned in the Netherlands.
The song's quick pace and lively melody made it well-suited to military marches, and it is still commonly played at parades. For the same reasons, it gained widespread popularity as a drinking song and nursery rhyme.
According to French Wiki, it's often attributed to André Joubert du Collet, lieutenant of the royal navy during the reign of Louis XIV: taken prisoner by the Dutch, he would have composed it after his release in 1741.

YouTube "Auprès de ma blonde" page where you'll find the song sung and/or played.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 15 May 22 - 03:25 AM

On Monday, Carol Sue Engleman recited a fragment of the prologue to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in Middle English. You can't say it's not English but it isn't nowadays English either. So here's a link to the original text and translation into Modern English of the Prologue on Harvard's Geoffrey Chaucer Website. You'll find all the Canterbury tales in their original Middle English with a Modern English translation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 13 May 22 - 02:44 AM

On Monday, Pattie Clink sang...

AL DI LÀ (Italian) © Mogol (1936- ) Carlo Donida (1920-1998) Non credevo possibile Si potessero dire queste parole: Al di là del bene più prezioso, ci sei tu. Al di là del sogno più ambizioso, ci sei tu. Al di là delle cose più belle. Al di là delle stelle, ci sei tu. Al di là, ci sei tu per me, per me, soltanto per me. Al di là del mare più profondo, ci sei tu. Al di là dei limiti del mondo, ci sei tu. Al di là della volta infinita, al di là della vita. Ci sei tu, al di là, ci sei tu per me.

BEYOND I didn't think it was possible These words could be said: Beyond the most precious good/asset, there is you. Beyond the most ambitious dream, there is you. Beyond the most beautiful things. Beyond the stars, there is you. Beyond, there is you for me, for me, only for me. Beyond the deepest sea, there is you. Beyond the limits of the world, there is you. Beyond the infinite vault, beyond life. There is you, beyond, there is you for me.

Live rendition by Emilio Pericoli
Live rendition by Connie Francis


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 12 May 22 - 02:36 PM

Thank you Leeneia for posting it!
The German dictionary and Wiki read that a weeping willow is called "Trauerweide" whether it's called "Echte Trauerweide" or "Babylonische Trauerweide".

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: leeneia
Date: 12 May 22 - 01:53 PM

On May 9th I sang "There is a Tavern in the Town", first in English then in German. Here are the German words from the site ingeb.org

Es gibt ein Wirtshaus in der Stadt, In der Stadt,
Wo oft mein Schatz ein Gläschen hat, Gläschen hat,
Er lacht und scherzt, Mit Freunden freut er sich,
Und nie (ach nie!) denkt er an mich.
Lebewohl, ich muss dich lassen.
Darfst den Abschied doch nicht hassen;
Es ist jetzt Zeit, wir müssen sagen ""Lebewohl!
Leb wohl, leb wohl, mein Schatz,
Leb wohl, ja, leb wohl.
Ich kann bei dir nicht bleiben wohl, bleiben wohl,
Ich häng mein Herz An den Trauerweidenbaum,
Dein Leben sei ein schöner Traum!


I just learned that "Weidenbaum" is willow tree, so "Trauerweidenbaum" is "sad willow tree." I wonder if that is the usual name for the weeping willow or if it was made up for this song.

I've always thought she hung her hat, not her heart on the weeping willow tree. Surely the point of the song is that her roistering lover doesn't have her heart anymore.

Thanks for your efforts, Monique.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 11 May 22 - 04:23 PM

I sang Siúl a Ghrá in Irish Gaelic last Monday
You'll find two sets of lyrics on Mudcat at
https://mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=3316131 and
https://mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=1911958

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 May 22 - 01:43 PM

On 9 May 2022, I sang all of the English verses of Mack the Knife, Bertolt Brecht's "Der Moritat von Mackie Messer." The English version, by Marc Blitzstein, was not a direct translation but it was pretty close.

There's quite a difference in melody between the cabaret style of the German Version and the swingin' style of the Bobby Darin version.

Dave Van Ronk did a version in English that's closer to the original German.

Bobby Darin is somehow able to make mass murder sound cool. The early German recordings make mass murder sound (deliciously) wicked - only Brecht could do that.

It's fascinating to select a few recordings from the results of a YouTube Search.

Now I want to work out "Pirate Jenny," another Brecht classic.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: GerryM
Date: 10 May 22 - 07:36 PM

Some recordings of A La Una Yo Naci:

Romances Sefardies, Françoise Atlan, in the Musique du Monde series, on Buda Records, 92529-2.

La Rondinella, Songs of the Sephardim, Traditional Music of the Spanish Jews, Dorian Discovery DIS-80105.

Dalia Dior, Ladino Gloriozo, The Musical Glory of Early Spain, Volume 1, Curtain Call Productions CC0015.2.

Also, any number of YouTube videos.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Catamariner
Date: 09 May 22 - 04:17 PM

At the 9 May 2022 singaround, I (Heather P) sang "A la Una Yo Naci," circa 1492. It's from I.J. Levy’s invaluable collection, Chants Judeo Espagnols. There are a number of surviving variants that were collected from different countries. The version called “A la Una Yo Nací” is from Sarajevo, once known as “Chiko Yerushalayim,” according Ladino singer Flory Jagoda, who was born there in 1923.

Using Spanish notation for pronunciations, the lyrics are (each line sung twice):

A la una yo nací, a las dos m'engrandecí.
A las tres tomí amante, a las cuatro me cazí.
Alma, vida y corazón, Alma, vida y corazón.

Dime niña dónde vienes, que te quiero conocer.
Si tú no tienes amante, yo te haré defender.
Alma, vida y corazón, Alma, vida y corazón.

Yendome para la guerra, dos bezos al aire di.
El uno es para mi madre, y el otro para ti.
Alma, vida y corazón, Alma, vida y corazón.

A la una yo nací, a las dos m'engrandecí.
A las tres tomí amante, a las cuatro me cazí.
Alma, vida y corazón, Alma, vida y corazón.

Translation

At one I was born
At two I grew up
At three I took a lover
At four I married
Soul, life and heart…

Tell me young lass
where do you come from
For I wish to know you
And if you have no lover
I will defend you
Soul, life and heart…

Going off to war
I blew two kisses into the air
One was for my mother
And the other for you
Soul, life and heart…

At one I was born
At two I grew up
At three I took a lover
At four I married
Soul, life and heart…


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 02 May 22 - 08:04 PM

At the 2 May 2022 singaround, Linn Phipps sang "A RIBHINN ÓIG, ' BHEIL CUIMHNE AGAD, a sailor's love song in Scottish Gaelic.
see https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=171237

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Felipa
Date: 02 May 22 - 05:33 PM

Tonight I sang a May day song in Irish, Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=53420

Monique told me that Vincent Hearns sang Druimeann Donn Dílis before I joined the singaround. That's another Irish Gaelic song which is already posted on Mudcat, under a slightly different title, Drimín Donn Dilis https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=14427

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mudcat singaround songs NOT in English
From: Monique
Date: 02 May 22 - 02:23 PM

ROMANCE DEL CONDE OLINOS (Spanish) (Anonymous – supposed to be from the 15th century) Madrugaba el Conde Olinos mañanita de San Juan a dar agua a su caballo, a las orillas del mar. Mientras el caballo bebe, canta un hermoso cantar, las aves que iban volando, se paraban a escuchar. - Bebe, mi caballo, bebe. Dios te me libre de mal, de los vientos de la tierra y de las furias del mar. La reina lo estaba oyendo desde su palacio real. - Mira, hija, como canta la sirena de la mar. - No es la sirenita, madre, que esa tiene otro cantar, es la voz del Conde Olinos, que me canta a mí un cantar. - Si es la voz del Conde Olinos, yo lo mandaré matar, que para casar contigo, le falta la sangre real. - No le mande matar, madre, no le mande usted matar, que si mata al Conde Olinos, a mí la muerte me da. Guardias mandaba la reina al Conde Olinos buscar, que le maten a lanzadas y echen su cuerpo a la mar. La infantina con gran pena, no dejaba de llorar; él murió a la medianoche, y ella a los gallos cantar. A ella como hija de reyes la entierran en el altar, y a él como hijo de condes cuatro pasos más atrás. De ella nació un rosal blanco, de él nació un espino albar; crece el uno, crece el otro, los dos se van a juntar. La reina llena de envidia, ambos los mandó cortar, el galán que los cortaba, no dejaba de llorar. De ella naciera una garza, de él un fuerte gavilán, juntos vuelan por el cielo, juntos se van a posar*. * Or "juntos vuelan par a par" (together they fly)

BALLAD OF COUNT OLINOS Count Olinos rose early on Saint John's Day* morning To water his horse by the sea side. While the horse drank, he sang a beautiful song, The birds that were flying by, stopped to listen. "Drink, my horse, drink, may God spare you from evil, From the winds of the earth and the furies of the sea". The queen was listening [to it] from her royal palace, "Look, daughter, how the mermaid of the sea sings". "It's not the little mermaid, mother, for she sings a different song, It's the voice of Count Olinos, who sings a song for me." "If it's the voice of Count Olinos, I'll have him killed, Because to marry thee, he lacks royal blood". "Don't have him killed, mother; don't have him killed, For if you kill Count Olinos, you assassinate me." The queen sent guards to fetch/bring Count Olinos, To spear him dead and toss his body into the sea. The princess, with great sorrow, could not stop crying, He died at midnight, and she [did] at cockcraw. She, as the daughter of kings, was buried in the altar, And he, as the son of counts, four steps behind. From her was born a white rose bush, from him a white hawthorn, One grows, and so does the other, they're going to intertwin/get together. The queen, full of envy, ordered to cut them down, The courtier who cut them could not stop crying, From her was born a heron, from him a strong hawk, Together they fly through the sky, they sit together.

* Saint John's Day is on the 24th of June


The count in this ballad can be "El conde Olinos" or "El conde Niño" among some others.

Live rendition by a much younger Joaquín Díaz (now 75) for a Japanese TV channel. Here is what he tells before singing…

"El Romance del Conde Olinos es uno de los más populares entre los romances castellanos. Su primera versión escrita está en el cancionero manuscrito de Londres, y posteriormente existen muchas versiones escritas, por supuesto muchas versiones tradicionales cantadas y trasmitidas oralmente de padres a hijos. La versión que voy a cantar ahora está recogida en Mojados, y como casi todas las versiones, cuenta la historia de dos amantes, un conde y una princesa, a los que la madre de ella, la reina, persigue y no deja que se casen. Ordena matar al conde y la princesa muere de amor al día siguiente. Ellos cambian, digamos, sus estratos vitales, varían de seres humanos a ser animales primero, después vegetales y, después, finalmente, minerales. Y este paso de sus almas por diferentes estadios culmina con la venganza que toman de la reina que se va a curar a la ermita, a la fuente en que se han convertido ellos. Y ellos no quieren curar a la reina porque les trató mal durante su vida."

"The Romance of Count Olinos is one of the most popular among Castilian romances. Its first written version is in the London manuscript songbook [Add MS 29987 – British Library], and later there were many written versions, of course many traditional versions sung and transmitted orally from parents to children. The version that I am going to sing now was collected in Mojados, and like almost all the versions, it tells the story of two lovers, an earl and a princess, who are persecuted by her mother, the queen, who does not let them get married. She orders the count to be killed and the princess dies of love the next day. They change, let's say, their vital strata, they vary from human beings to being animals first, then vegetables, and then, finally, minerals. And this passage of their souls through different stages culminates in the revenge they take on the queen who goes to the hermitage to be cured, to the fountain they have become. And they don't want to cure the queen because she treated them badly during her lifetime."

The last part refers to several versions in which the two lovers become two bushes (as in Barbara Allen) but the queen have them cut or unrooted, so they become birds but the queen have them shot, then they become a fountain and a spring that cure many illnesses. The queen is losing sight in one eye and she goes to the fountain to be cured. She's denied to be cured or she's told her eye will be cured but she'll lose sight in the other, or she's told she'll lose sight in both eyes instead of one.
Let's note also that sometimes the evil parent is not the queen but the king. In some versions the queen is Moorish and the count is Christian but in some versions it's the other way round, their difference in religion being the reason why their love is denied.

A shorter version to a different tune from Joaquín Díaz website -a website that I'll always highly recommend!
A live recording by José Negrete
Live rendition by the "Flamenco medievalista" band Zalema (their FaceBook page -"Zalema" is "Peace" in Mozarabic language Cf. Hebrew Shalom and Arabic Salam)
Live rendition by the folk band Alalumbre
Live rendition of a slightly different version by Paco Ibáñez

You'll find 432 versions of this song in Hispanic and Portuguese languages on this University of Washington Pan-Hispanic Ballad Project page.


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