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Subject: LYRICS REQUIRED - ELVIRA MADIGAN From: GUEST,IAN RIPPEY Date: 06 Dec 02 - 09:17 PM Dear All, Does anyone out there know the complete lyrics of "Elvira Madigan"? (I can remember the first verse, which is shown below). This was (as with "All The Good Times" - the lyrics of which were also the subject of a recent posting by me) on a double vinyl album by the Northern english folk duo "Mr. Fox" (Bob and Carolanne Pegg) about the 1970s. My brother used to have this album but it apparently got lost in one of his many house moves over the years (though he has been in the same one for about 10 years now, since he got married). There is also a film of the same name, which seems to be based on a Swedish couple (the man leaves his wife for Elvira Madigan)who end up committing suicide (as they do in Sweden!). From what I remember of the words, the film follows roughly the same theme (or vice-versa) but I do not know which came first. Elvira was a circus girl who walked the tightrope bravely She travelled through Europe and she knew what men were for He was in the cavalry, wore braid upon his tunic A handsome bearded horseman who had never been to war The chorus goes: You would say if you met them they were golden eyed children For the one thing they wanted they gave up health and fame God help Elvira and God help her lover And God help anyone who tries to do the same I do not know whether the story is based on real life. Madigan is a rather Irish soundin name, and if one was making a fictional film based in Sweden one would probably call the female protagonist Erikkson or something. So perhaps there is some factual basis - better check the Internet. Hope someone out there can help me. IAN RIPPEY 7.12.2002 |
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Subject: RE: LYRICS REQUIRED - ELVIRA MADIGAN From: katlaughing Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:02 AM It probably doesn't help much, unless you can contact the website owner and ask her for a translation, but I did find the story behind it, plus the lyrics in Swedish, and pictures of the couple at this site. I also found mention of the Mr. Fox album but no lyrics. Good luck! kat |
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Subject: RE: LYRICS REQUIRED - ELVIRA MADIGAN From: katlaughing Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:07 AM A little more success: you can purchase a cassette tape of both of Mr. Fox's albums for very inexpensively at this site: click here. |
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Subject: RE: LYRICS REQUIRED - ELVIRA MADIGAN From: GUEST,IAN RIPPEY Date: 07 Dec 02 - 11:26 AM Dear All, Thanks to "Katlaughing" for his/her help. There is a website about a poem which someone has written, based on the original film. It apepars that it was based in Denmark, not Sweden, at the following adress http://www.nhi.clara.net/bs0351.htm It looks like I will have to buy the album again! IAN RIPPEY 7.12.2002 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ELVIRA MADIGAN From: SINSULL Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:23 PM I didn't know there was a lyric. The movie featured Mozart if I remember. Very much a "chick" movie and among my favorites. I sobbed and the guy with me asked "Why didn't he just get a job?" I was just talking about this one with a younger co-worker who thought that "Titanic" was the first "chick" movie. She and others had never heard of Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger either. There is work to be done. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: ELVIRA MADIGAN From: Red and White Rabbit Date: 07 Dec 02 - 03:04 PM This is the version I know Elvira was a circus girl who walked the tightrope bravely she travelled through Europe and she knew what men were for He was in the cavalry wore braid upon his tunic A handsome bearded captain who had never been to war chorus you would say if you met them they were golden eyed children for the one thing they wanted they gave up health and fame God help Elvira and God help her lover And God help anyone who tries to do the same He left his wife and family and regiment behind him Tore the braid from his tunic Tossed his buttons on the ground She left the roaring crowds and circus lights behind her To go with a deserter and flee from town to town And manys the time they thought they'd found their safety A room to live and shelter from the wind and the rain But a knock at the door or a face at the window And many's the time they were on the road again She sold her last possessions to buy a loaf and butter He robbed a hen house they left once more to roam In the middle of a meadow they both sat down to picnic When he touched Elvira she was cold as a stone She knew that his pistol was hidden in the basket She whispered to her lover make it soon make it soon Elvira chased the butterfly and caught it in her fingers She fell from the tightrope and the audience went home |
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Subject: Lyr Req: elvira From: GUEST,Billy Date: 10 Aug 06 - 06:00 PM does anyone know the words for a song that begins: 'Elvira was a circus girl'? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira From: skipy Date: 10 Aug 06 - 06:17 PM Well? google has no referance, so maybe not quite right. Skipy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: Sorcha Date: 10 Aug 06 - 06:26 PM No..but the Elvira song I know is diff..... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: Dave the Gnome Date: 10 Aug 06 - 06:32 PM Must be Elvira Madigan. She was a circus girl who fell in love with a Polish army officer and the whole affair ended tragicaly. Does nothing for me. Real girly, weepy song...:-) Cheers DtG |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: Dave the Gnome Date: 10 Aug 06 - 06:34 PM Perhaps Elvira Madigan by Mr Fox but I don't think it starts like that. I will be able to lay my hands on the album sooner or later... |
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Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: ELVIRA MADIGAN (Bob Pegg) From: LesB Date: 10 Aug 06 - 07:22 PM The character was based on an award winning, Swedish cult movie. Written by Bob Pegg from Mr Fox. ELVIRA MADIGAN Bob Pegg D Elvira was a circus girl who walked the tightrope bravely G Em A She travelled through Europe and she knew what men were for A G D He was in the cavalry wore braid upon his tunic G A D G A D A handsome bearded horseman who had never been to war chorus Fm G D you would say if you met them they were golden eyed children D G A for the one thing they wanted they gave up health and fame G D G D God help Elvira and God help her lover D G A D And God help anyone who tries to do the same He left his wife and children in the regiment behind him Stripped the braid from his tunic Tossed his buttons on the ground She left the roaring crowds and the lights of the circus To go with a deserter and run from town to town And many's the time they thought they'd found their safety A room to love and shelter from the wind and the rain But a knock on the door, a face at the window And many's the time they were on the move again Chorus She sold her last possessions and bought a loaf and butter He robbed a hen house they left once more to roam In the middle of a meadow they both sat down to picnic When he touched Elvira she was cold as a stone Elvira knew that the pistol was hidden in the basket She whispered to her lover make it soon make it soon Elvira chased the butterfly and caught it in her fingers She fell from the tightrope and the audience went home Chorus Cheers Les |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: Dave the Gnome Date: 10 Aug 06 - 07:30 PM Good man Les! Saves me trawling the archives. Although, come to think of it, I will dig it out anyway:-) Cheers DtG |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: GUEST Date: 10 Aug 06 - 07:33 PM BTW - It wasn't just a difference in class that was a problem. Poland and Sweden have had a shaky relationship at best and while Elvira was Swedish her man was in the Polish Army. Can't remember the film exactly but I think he was a Hussar of some sort - the Polish Elite. Definitely frowned upon to consort with the enemy:-( |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: GUEST,DtG Date: 10 Aug 06 - 07:38 PM That was me above - Moved to a different 'puter on the way to bed. Sad or what? :-( Anyway. Goodnight now:-) DtG |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: SINSULL Date: 10 Aug 06 - 10:04 PM Ah, Elvira Madigan. I sat sobbing over the dead lovers. My date (disgusted) says "He could have gotten a job instead of killing themselves." SIGH! I bet he leaves the toilet seat up. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: GUEST,Billy Date: 11 Aug 06 - 06:34 AM Thanks Les - that's the one! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: Dave the Gnome Date: 11 Aug 06 - 09:19 AM Sorry to have misled people - I had things wrong but the principle was right! Soldier boy Sixten Sparre is Swedish - Elvira (who's real name escapes me) is from Flensberg in Northern Germany - A very disputed territory at the time. So, aside from having the wrong one being Sweish and the German one being Polish all else stands;-) Well, what do you expect. Far to much of a girly film for Gnomes anyway. Good song though. Now, how about the 'The Gypsy'? Cheers DtG |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: elvira (Elvira was a circus girl) From: Paul Burke Date: 11 Aug 06 - 09:50 AM Mondegreen.. I saw this written out in a friend's songbook as Old Vera. |
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