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Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)

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ADIEU MADRAS


GUEST,leeneia 29 Aug 00 - 10:01 PM
GUEST,leeneia 30 Aug 00 - 11:16 PM
Sorcha 31 Aug 00 - 10:22 AM
GUEST,leeneia 31 Aug 00 - 06:00 PM
Sorcha 31 Aug 00 - 06:10 PM
GUEST,leeneia 31 Aug 00 - 11:04 PM
Jim Dixon 22 Sep 02 - 05:35 PM
GUEST,leeneia 23 Sep 02 - 12:52 PM
Jim Dixon 25 Sep 02 - 10:05 PM
Peace 25 Nov 07 - 10:14 PM
Stefan Wirz 26 Nov 07 - 02:58 AM
leeneia2 24 Aug 10 - 11:08 AM
Jim Dixon 26 Aug 10 - 09:31 PM
Jim Dixon 26 Aug 10 - 09:34 PM
leeneia2 26 Aug 10 - 09:46 PM
leeneia2 27 Aug 10 - 11:04 AM
Monique 27 Aug 10 - 11:32 AM
leeneia2 27 Aug 10 - 06:26 PM
GUEST,smokylass 08 Sep 10 - 03:58 AM
GUEST,leeneia 08 Sep 10 - 09:49 AM
GUEST,Chuck Evans 16 Jan 11 - 11:17 AM
GUEST,leeneia 25 Jun 12 - 10:59 AM
Q (Frank Staplin) 25 Jun 12 - 06:06 PM
GUEST,leeneia 26 Jun 12 - 10:07 AM
GUEST,leeneia 18 Sep 12 - 01:35 PM
GUEST,999 18 Sep 12 - 02:17 PM
GUEST,leeneia 18 Sep 12 - 04:58 PM
GUEST,999 18 Sep 12 - 05:23 PM
Joe Offer 19 Sep 12 - 04:31 AM
GUEST,leeneia 19 Sep 12 - 09:50 AM
Joe Offer 24 Sep 12 - 12:56 AM
GUEST,Jack Hartes 09 Dec 12 - 10:08 AM
GUEST,leeneia 09 Dec 12 - 10:52 PM
GUEST 06 Sep 18 - 01:35 PM
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Subject: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 10:01 PM

A recent thread on Leon Bibb prompts me to ask if anyone post the lyrics to a song he recorded called "Adieu Madras."


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Subject: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 11:16 PM

I thought I already posted this request, but apparently not. If it occurs twice, I apologize, but I'm innocent. Anyway, does anybody know the lyrics for "Adieu Madras," a song recorded by Leon Bibb?


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Subject: Lyr Add: ADIEU MADRAS
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:22 AM

Is this it Leenia?

ADIEU MADRAS

Mélodie - Seq. by Ecole speciale Militaire de St-Cyr

Ce chant martiniquais représente toutes nos lointaines provinces, si chères à nos coeurs.

Adieu, Madras, adieu foulards,
Adieu rob'soie, adieu collier chou,
Doudou à moins, li qu'a pa'ti,
Héla, héla, c'est pou'toujou'.

2. Bonjou' monsieur le gouve'neu'
Moin veni' fair un' pétition
Pou' mander vous la permission
Pou' laisser doudou moin à moin.

3. Non, non, Mam'zel', il est trop tard,
La consigne est déjà signée,
Doudou à vous, li qu'a pa'ti
Le navire est sur la bouée.

4. Adieu, Madras, adieu foulards,
Adieu grains d'or, adieu collier chou,
Doudou à moins, li qu'a pa'ti,
Héla, héla, c'est pou'toujou'.

It's the only one I found.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:00 PM

That may be it, but your version seems to be in French. Leon's version was in English. Thanks, though.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:10 PM

I couldn't find ANY thing except in French.....maybe someone else can translate it for you?


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:04 PM

No need. I'll find it somewhere. Besides, translating something from a foreign language and getting the new text to rhyme is a Herculian labor.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 05:35 PM

This Leon Bibb discography:
http://www.wirz.de/music/bibblfrm.htm
says that Leon Bibb released "Little Boxes" and "Adieu Madras" as a single in 1964, Liberty 55663. Apparently it was never included on one of his albums.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 12:52 PM

1964 sounds about right. Never mind what the discography says. A friend of mind had an album that had "Adieu Madras", "Cherry and Plums" and "I'm an Eastman" (whatever that is) on it.

Members of the Class of '68, can you help?


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Sep 02 - 10:05 PM

Leeneia: See the song ON THE ROAD AGAIN for one explanation of the term "eastman/easeman" - and see the threads Lyrics to 'Kassie Jones' and Lyr Req: Furry Lewis 'Kassie Jones' for some more discussion.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: Peace
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 10:14 PM

Please note that words to the song, "Adieu Madras" are in the DT 'mirror' and with it a translation from Stan Hugill.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: Stefan Wirz
Date: 26 Nov 07 - 02:58 AM

don't know what the Leon Bibb discography said in 2002, but now it says that 'Adieu Madras' is on 1964 LP 'Cherries & Plums' (Liberty LRP 3358 / LT 7358 ;-)
Stefan


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Subject: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: leeneia2
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 11:08 AM

Once again, I wonder if anybody can post the lyrics to the song "Adieu Madras." It was written by Will Holt and recorded by Leon Bibb.


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Subject: Lyr Add: ADIEU FOULARDS, ADIEU MADRAS (Creole)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 09:31 PM

From a French language textbook, Zenith by Anneli McLachlan (Oxford: Heinemann Educational, 2000), page 131:


ADIEU FOULARDS, ADIEU MADRAS
[Original in Creole]

Refrain: Adieu foulards, Adieu Madras
Adieu Grains d'or, Adieu Colliers-choux
Doudou au moin i ka pati
Hélas, hélas, cé pou toujou.—bis

1. Bonjou Missié le Gouvenou
Moin vini fe on ti petition
Pou mandé ou autorisation
Laisser doudou an moin ban moin.—bis

2. Mademoiselle c'est bien trop ta
Doudou a ou ja embaké
Batiment la ja su la boué
Bientot i ké apareiller.—bis


[Translation into standard French]

Refrain: Adieu Foulards, Adieu Madras
Adieu Grains d'or, Adieu Colliers-choux*
Mon amoureux va partir
Hélas, hélas, c'est pour toujours.—bis

1. Bonjour Monsieur le Gouverneur
Je suis venu faire une petite pétition
Pour vous demander l'autorisation
De laisser mon amoureux avec moi.—bis

2. Mademoiselle c'est bien trop tard
Votre amoureux est déjà embarqué
Le navire est déjà sur la jetée
Bientot il va appareiller.—bis


[Translation into English]

Refrain: Farewell scarves, farewell Madras
Farewell golden grain, farewell "cabbage necklaces."*
My lover is going away
Alas, alas, it's forever.—Repeat

1. Good morning, Mr. Governor.
I have come to make a little petition
To ask for your authorization
To let my lover stay with me.—Repeat

2. Miss, it's far too late.
Your lover is already on board.
The ship is already on the pier.
Soon it will sail.—Repeat


[Collier-choux: Literally, cabbage necklace. A traditional type of necklace worn by Creole women in the French Antilles (and perhaps other places), consisting of large hollow gold beads.]


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 09:34 PM

A couple of versions of the lyrics in French Creole were posted in another thread back in 2000. Look here: Lyr Add: ADIEU MADRAS.

We never found Leon Bibb's English lyrics.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: leeneia2
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 09:46 PM

I'm hoping that someone new will come along that knows the lyrics. (I tried to find that old thread and failed.)


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: leeneia2
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 11:04 AM

In the song I want a traveller (sailor?) is standing on a hillside above the Indian city of Madras. He sings a wistful, but not heartbroken, song of farewell. There is no element of romantic love in it. No lovers, no parting.

It ends with

And you will never know or fear
that ever I was standing here.
And I was only passing through.
So now, adieu, Madras, adieu.

This is different from the French song, in which the singer seems to be bidding farewell to a Madras shirt. (Farewell scarves, farewell Madras...) In the 1960's, Madras plaid shirts were trendy for a while.

THe song I want, which is in English and was recorded by Leon Bibb on his 'Cherries and Plums" album, has a sweet, peaceful, rocking melody. It is very lovely. It has stayed with me for 40 years, even though I only heard it once or twice.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: Monique
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 11:32 AM

The French Creole song is said to be some 200 odd years older than the 1960's. Unless I'm mistaken, the singer "bids farewell" to the nice things that her lover would buy her and that he won't give her any more since he's leaving forever -Jim Dixon's post and Mama Lisa's World version -the lyrics to the song sung are slightly different from the ones posted on that page.

"Our Friend Google" doesn't seem to know the song you're looking for.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: leeneia2
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 06:26 PM

I realize that.

I'm hoping that somewhere in this world is a person who has the 'Cherries and Plums' album and is willing to post the words of this lovely modern song.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras, cherries and plums
From: GUEST,smokylass
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:58 AM

Hi, I am looking everywhere for Leon Bibb records. here are the words I remember
    Madras was just a port of call
    A seaport town in old Bengal
    And I was only passing through
    When love appeared, what could I do?
    For love burned bright when it was new
    But now adieu, Madras adieu.
    .... (?)
    And who'll recall, within a year, that ever I was standing here?
    for love burned bright when it was new but now adieu
    Madras Adieu

I had Cherries and Plums, my mothers' favorite and mine.. lost and I would also like to find it again. Maybe Eric Bibb (his son)has a way to reissue.. ? ( Quinto, Windsong, Easeman and many others.. )


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: adieu madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:49 AM

Thanks. It's good to know that somebody else remembers the song with affection.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: GUEST,Chuck Evans
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 11:17 AM

There is a DVD: "The Best of Hootenanny," a three-disc set from shoutfactory.com. Disc No. Three shows Leon Bibb singing "Adieu Madras" and "Little
Boxes.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 10:59 AM

Still hoping for the lyrics to the song Leon Bibb recorded. The song is about saying adieu to the city of Madras in India.

I don't want to hear another word about the French song about a madras shirt. The French song is not it. If you want to talk about the French song, start yer own thread.

Thanks, smokylass, for the partial words. I see that (despite what I wrote upthread) love comes into Leon Bibb's song to a certain extent.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 06:06 PM

A copy of Cherries and Plums, lp, on offer at Ebay, Music, for $11.95.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 10:07 AM

I dunno, Q. $12 plus shipping for one song? (I don't care for anything else on the album.)

Thanks for thinking of it, however.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 01:35 PM

Perhaps that now, when there is a veritable frenzy of lyric-posting, someone will kindly supply all the words.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,999
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 02:17 PM

http://www.gemm.com/store/SPINCITY45S/item/LEON-BIBB-LITTLE-BOXES-ADIEU-MADRAS-45RPM/1459524348

Looks like the only way to get the words is to get the song. It's available there.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 04:58 PM

Thanks for checking, 999, but I don't think I'll pay $7.00 plus shipping for a 45. Come to think of it, I don't believe I can play 45's anymore.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras
From: GUEST,999
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 05:23 PM

LOL. Join the club.

leeneia, a few of us have looked for the lyric and come up empty. I spent an hour or so on this about two weeks back and came up with bupkis. The situation we find ourselves in with regard the 45 rpm reminds me of a fellow who said, "I'm not buying anything ever again unless they promise not to improve it."

I haven't given up hope, but I won't be holding my breath either.


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Subject: ADD: Adieu Madras (Will Holt)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Sep 12 - 04:31 AM

I can see why you wanted this particular version, Leeneia. It's a beautiful song, and Leon Bibb sings it beautifully.

ADIEU, MADRAS
(English version by Will Holt)

Adieu, Madras; Madras, adieu -
I can no longer stay with you.
Farewell pleasure, farewell pain;
I'll never see my love again;
For love was bright when it was new,
Adieu, Madras; adieu, adieu.

Madras was just a port of call,
Some seaport town in old Bengal;
And I was only passing through,
When love appeared, what could I do?
And love was right when it was new,
And now adieu, Madras, adieu.

Adieu, Madras; Madras, adieu.
Farewell, old town, I'm leaving you;
And who'd recall that in a year
That I was ever standing here;
For I'll be gone to some far shore,
And no Madras, no more, no more.
Love burned bright when it was new,
Adieu, Madras; adieu, adieu;
Adieu, Madras; adieu, adieu.

from The Best of 'Hootenanny' DVD.

Will Holt (born in Portland Maine in 1929) wrote a number of familiar songs: "Sinner Man", "Raspberries, Strawberries", "Daddy, Roll 'Em", "The Pergola", "Till the Birds Sing in the Morning", "Watching the World Go By", "Adieu, Madras", "Days of the Waltz", "Luv" and "Marieke".


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Sep 12 - 09:50 AM

Wahoo! Thanks, Joe! Thanks very much!

I'm going to send you a MIDI of the tune, if that's all right. It will be in the key of C (for altos and basses) and then in F, (for (high voices and flutes.)

To my surprise, this tune has a big range. Leon Bibb sang it so gently and skillfully that it didn't seem to be any work at all.

(Is that how you spell 'skillfully'?)


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 12:56 AM

Here's leeneia's MIDI.

Click to play (joeweb)


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: GUEST,Jack Hartes
Date: 09 Dec 12 - 10:08 AM

I have Cherries and Plums too, and this song is a favorite on my absolute favorite album. I'll repeat the words here because I'm pretty sure Joe's version contains some errors. (By the way another song is "I'm an Ease Man" -- not sure of the spelling. It means a lazy person.)

Adieu, Madras, Madras adieu.
I can no longer stay with you.
Farewell pleasure, farewell pain.
I'll never see my love again.
For love burned bright when it was new,
But now adieu, Madras adieu.

Madras was just a port of call,
A seaport town in old Bengal.
And I was only passing through.
When love appeared, what could I do.
For love burned bright when it was new,
But now adieu, Madras adieu.

Adieu Madras, Madras adieu.
Farewell old town, I'm leaving you,
And who'll recall within a year
That ever I was standing here,
And I'll be on some far off shore,
No more Madras, no more, no more.
For love burned bright when it was new,
But now adieu, Madras adieu.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Dec 12 - 10:52 PM

thank you, Jack. I'm going to tape those to a kitchen cupboard till I've got them by heart.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Adieu Madras (recorded by Leon Bibb)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Sep 18 - 01:35 PM

I am glad to find other fans of Leon Bibb & especially of his album "Cherries& Plums" which was given to my parents by A FolK Music Loving Friend & which captured my Vivid Imagination as a child! I have searched to see if by chance there ever was a CD of it! It would be so wonderful! ??


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