La Madelon
Encyclopedia
La Madelon or Quand Madelon is a French popular song of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Although it is mostly known as La Madelon the proper title is Quand Madelon which are the beginning words of the refrain. The lyrics are by Louis Bousquet (1914) and the music by Camille Robert.
The song tells a story about soldiers flirting with a lovely young waitress in a country tavern and may partly owe its long term popularity to the fact that the lyrics were clean at a time when soldiers' songs were mostly bawdy and rude. It was one of the most popular songs in France during World War I and became a patriotic song as the war wore on. It remains a patriotic, well-known song in France to this day.
It was translated into other languages as well. In English it was titled Madelon ("I'll Be True to the Whole Regiment"). It also became popular among Spanish soldiers.
It was revived in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer.Dietrich remained popular throughout her long career by continually re-inventing herself, professionally and characteristically. In the Berlin of the 1920s, she acted on the stage and in silent films...
sang it in Paris in 1939 during the celebration of the national day of 14 July.
It appears in La Madelon, French 1955 comedy by Jean Boyer.
Spanish actress-singer Sara Montiel
Sara Montiel
Sara Montiel is a Spanish singer, and actress. She is still a much-loved and internationally known name in the Spanish-speaking movie and music industries....
sang it in the 1957 box office hit movie El Último Cuplé.
Lyrics
As recorded by Sara MontielSara Montiel
Sara Montiel is a Spanish singer, and actress. She is still a much-loved and internationally known name in the Spanish-speaking movie and music industries....
in 1957
Pour le repos le plaisir du militaire
Il est là-bas à deux pas de la forêt
Une maison aux murs tous couverts de lière
Aux Tourlourous c’est le nom du cabaret
La servante est jeune et gentille
Légère comme un papillon
Comme son vin son oeil petille
Nous l’appelons la Madelon
Nous en rêvous la nuit nous y pensons le jour
Ce n’est que Madelon mais pour nous c’est l’amour
Quand Madelon vient nous servir à boire
Sous la tonnelle on frôle son jupon
Et chacun lui raconte une histoire
Une histoire à sa façon
La Madelon pour nous n’est pas sevère
Quand on lui prend la taille ou le menton
Elle rit c’est tout l’mal qu’elle sait faire
Madelon, Madelon, Madelon
External links
- archive.org 1918 recording of La Madelon by Amparito Farrar(Accessed 2011-03-08)
- chansons historiques de France: La Madelon 1914 (Accessed 2011-03-08)
- Original lyrics in French(Accessed 2011-03-08)