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Lyr Req: The Letter

24 Jun 01 - 02:09 AM (#490714)
Subject: The Letter
From: nutty

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

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

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


24 Jun 01 - 07:59 AM (#490756)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Allan C.

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


24 Jun 01 - 10:28 AM (#490794)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty

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


24 Jun 01 - 10:37 AM (#490798)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty

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


24 Jun 01 - 10:49 AM (#490809)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Wolfgang

perhaps a little help, from a websearch:

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

Wolfgang


24 Jun 01 - 11:24 AM (#490827)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty

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


25 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM (#491514)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty

Still looking


26 Jun 01 - 09:47 AM (#492135)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: nutty

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

Refreshing


20 Jul 01 - 04:25 PM (#511458)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: John Routledge

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

Will try to get words together for Saddlewoth tomorrow!!

Cheers John


22 Jul 01 - 09:13 PM (#512487)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Burke

Did you find them?


23 Jul 01 - 10:37 AM (#512551)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Noreen

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

Noreen


12 Mar 02 - 11:39 PM (#668077)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Letter
From: Jim Dixon

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