dinsdag 23 februari 2016

Valse De La Gueydan (1929) / Ma Blonde Est Partié (1929) / Ville De La Veuve (1930) / Jolie Blonde (1936) / Jole Blon (1946) / New Pretty Blonde (1946) / New Jolie Blonde (1947)



"Jolie Blonde" is a traditional cajun waltz, often called "the cajun national anthem" because of the popularity it had in cajun culture. The song was then later popularized on a nationwide scale by a series of renditions and references in late '40s country songs. It has been the subject of occasional covers later in the 20th century by cajun and classic country revival bands.

The original cajun version is a brief address to a "pretty blonde" who had left the singer and moved back in with her family, and is also now in the arms of another man. The singer concludes that there are plenty of other pretty blonde women. The fiddle-based melody probably dates to before the 1900s. I found a version (titled "La Valse De Gueydan") that predates the 1929 recording of the Breaux family. (SEE FURTHER ON IN THIS POST)

The earliest recording of the song is believed to be a version by the Breaux family trio entitled "Ma Blonde Est Partié".
There is some mystery to its origin. While Amede Breaux is credited with writing the song, it was his sister Cleoma who actually wrote the lyrics and Amede sang the song.

(o) Amadie Breaux, Ophy Breaux and Clemo Breaux (1929) (as "Ma Blonde Est Partié")
Recorded on April 18, 1929 in Atlanta
Released on Columbia 40510-F



Also released on Okeh 90010


Jolie blonde, regardez donc quoi t'as fait,
Tu m'as quitte pour t'en aller,
Pour T'en aller avec un autre, oui, que moi,
Quel espoir et quel avenir, mais, moi, je vais avoir?

Jolie blonde, tu m'as laisse, moi tout seul,
Pour t'en aller chez ta famille.
Si t'aurais pas ecoute tos les conseils de les autres
tu serait ici-t-avec moi aujourd 'hui

Jolie blonde, tu croyais il y avait just toi,
Il y a pas just toi dans le pays pour moi aimer.
Je peux trouver just une autre jolie blonde,
Bon Dieu sait, moi, j'ai un tas.

Listen here:





Dennis McGee claims the original song was written by Angelas Lejeune as "La Fille De La Veuve" (aka "La Valse De La Veuve") during WWI and Cleoma Breaux rewrote the lyrics, allegedly about Amede's first wife.
Angelas Lejeune and Ernest Fruge would eventually record this song in 1930.

(c) Le Jeunne & Fruge (1930)  (as "La Valse De La Veuve")
Recorded on November 19, 1930 in New Orleans
Released on Brunswick 558 and Melotone M18052



Listen here:



Or here:



Angelas LeJeune was one of the most influential of the early Cajun accordion players. His repertoire passed down to his younger cousin Iry LeJeune, who made big hits with his reworkings of tunes by Angelas and Amd Ardoin in the late 1940s, early 1950s.
As I said here above his "Valse de la Veuve" (aka "La Fille de la Veuve") has the same tune as Jolie Blonde /Jole Blon but with different lyrics.


In 1929 the Guidry Brothers would lay down their version of the melody, calling it "Homme Abandonné".

(c) Guidry Brothers (1929)  (as "Homme Abandonné")
Recorded on October 1, 1929,
Released on Vocalion 15849.


Listen here:



Or here:





But there's another song with a similar melody, that definitely predates "Ma Blonde Est Partié" and all the others.

(o) John Bertrand and Milton Pitre (1929)  (as "La Valse de Gueydan")
Recorded January 1929 in Chicago.
Released on Paramount 12748A







"La Valse de Gueydan" was also recorded in New Orleans in 1930 by Amédé Ardoin and Dennis McGee.

(c) McGee & Ardoin (1930)  (as "La Valse de Gueydan")
Recorded on November 19, 1930 in New Orleans
Released on Brunswick 513




Comment je vas faire, malheureuse
Il faudra moi, je m'en vas
O, catin, mais, ouais, t'es tout seule
Mon, je connais, c'est pas ta faute
C'est pas toi qui fait tout ça
O, 'tite fille, toi, jamais tu brailles.

Fais pas ça, 'tite fille, fais pas ça t'après me faire
O, catin, fait pas ça t'après me faire.
Donc, cependant je t'ai rien fait
Toi, aperçois, toi, tu me fais
O, catin toi, tu me fais autant do mal.

Toi,'tite fille, catin, comment je vas faire, moi, je m'en vas
À la maison, catin, toi, jolie, dimanche au soir.
rai jamais d'agrément de rentrer, toi, et de m'assis
à la table pour moins manger quand t'as déjà venu faire, à rapport à toi.

Listen here:





With slightly different lyrics Leo Soileau also recorded a version of "La Valse Gueydan".

(c)  Leo Soileau and his Three Aces (1935)  (as "La Valse de Gueydan")
Recorded on January 18, 1935.
Released on the B-side of his famous "Hackberry Hop" (Bluebird B-2086)



Also released on Bluebird B-2171



Eh, jolie, moi je m'en vas dans grand Gueydan,
C'est pour voir, ma jolie petite fille,
Jolie cœur, je peux pas venir.

Eh, jolie, pourqoui-donc, mais, tu fait ça,
Avec ton vieux nègre, jolie petite fille,
Pourquoi-donc mais tu fais ça avec ton nègre?

Tu m’as laissée dans les misères,
Mais, jolie fille, pourquoi-donc,
Tu fait ça avec ton vieux nègre,
Et jamais j'avais cru quoi j'ai vu.

Tu ma dit, jolie fille.

Listen here:



Or here:




In 1934 Alan Lomax traveled to Louisiana, recording artists including the Segura Brothers and their version of "La Fille De La Veuve".





The title "Jolie Blonde" was first given to the melody by the Hackberry Ramblers.
But it's the same melody and lyrics as Amadie Breaux, Ophy Breaux and Clemo Breaux "Ma Blonde Est Partié"

(c) Hackberry Ramblers (1936)  (as "Jolie Blonde")
Floyd Rainwater [gt], Lennis Sonnier [vcl/gt], Johnny Puderer [bass], Lunderin Darbone [fiddle]
Recorded October 17, 1936 in St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, LA.
Released on Bluebird B-2003



Listen here:



And (on the same day) Miller's Merrymakers recorded "Te Ma Lessa Jolie Blonde", which sounds very similar to "Jolie Blonde", but has other lyrics and a slightly different tune.
Miller's Merrymakers (J.B. Fuselier [vcl/fiddle], Bethoven Miller [gt], Preston Manuel [gt])
Recorded October 17, 1936 in New Orleans, LA.
Released on Bluebird B-2006

Listen here:




The melody also appears in "La Valse de La Lafayette" and in "Jolie (Brunette)" by the Jolly Boys of Lafayette. Both versions recorded on the same day in 1937.

(c) Jolly Boys of Lafayette (1937)  (as "La Valse de La Lafayette")
Recorded on February 21, 1937 in Dallas, TX
Released on Decca 17029


Listen here:




(c) Jolly Boys of Lafayette (1937)  (as "Jolie (Brunette)")
Recorded on February 21, 1937 in Dallas, TX
Released on Decca 17032


Listen here:





Happy Fats and his Rayne-Bo Ramblers used the melody in "Nouveau Grand Gueydan" (New Gran Guadyan)


(c) Happy Fats and his Rayne-Bo Ramblers (1937) (as "Nouveau Grand Gueydan")

Recorded September 10, 1937 in St. Charles Hotel New Orleans.
Released on Bluebird B-2024

Listen here:




During the late 1940s, as country's nationwide market had solidified, a number of country artists popularized the song "Jole Blon". The popularization began in 1946 with Harry Choates and his French version of "Jole Blon" for Goldstar records.

(c) Harry Choates (1946)  (as "Jole Blon (Pretty Blond)")
Harry Choates [vcl/fiddle], Esmond Pursley [gt], B.D.Williams [gt], Charles Stagle [banjo],
James Foster [bass], William Slay [piano]. Producer: Bill Quinn)
Recorded March 1946 Quinn Recording Co., 3104 Telephone Road, Houston, TX
Released July 1946 on Gold Star 1314.




In December 1946 the same master was re-released on Modern Music # 511 and it hit the charts.



É ha ha!
Jolie blonde, jolie fille
Chère petite, jolie cœur
Tu m'as laissé pour t'en aller
Avec un autre, mais chère petite fille
Dans l'pays de la Louisiane
Mais malheureuse

Oh, mais jolie cœur
Ca t'as fait à ton pauvre papa
Tu m'as laissé, mais, chère petite
Mais moi tout seul
Mais malheureux
Quelle espoir, mais quel avenir
Mais moi j'peux avoir?

É hé hé! Oh ha ha!
Chère petite, jolie blonde
Mais ca t'as dit, ma malheureuse
Quoi t'as fait? Tu vas avoir
Tu serais pitié



A few years later Harry Choates recorded an English version of "Jole Blonde"

(c) Harry Choates (1955)  (as "New Jole Blon")
Recorded somewhere between 1947-1950 at Quinn Recording Co., Houston, TX
Released 1955 on Starday 45-187



Listen here:




After the big succes of Harry Choates' French version, various country artists recorded an English version of the song.
Moon Mullican's version, credited to Al Miller (the King Records sales manager)
It reached the # 2 spot in the C&W charts

(c) Moon Mullican And The Showboys (1946)  (as "New Pretty Blonde")
Moon Mullican [vcl/piano], Mutt Collins [ld gt], Guy Cotton Thompson [fiddle], 
Acie Peveto [steel], Reggie Ward [bass], Richard Prine [drums], Ralph Lamb [fiddle]
Recorded October 1946 Cliff Herring Studio, 1705 W. 7th St., Ft. Worth, TX
Released on King 578


Listen here:




2 months later Red Foley even reached the # 1 spot in the C&W charts.
His version credits Al Miller and Sydney Nathan (founder of King Records)

(c) Red Foley and The Cumberland Valley Boys (1947) (as "New Jolie Blonde")
Zeb Turner [gt], Zeke Turner [gt], Smoky Lohman [steel], Louis Innis [bass], 
Dolph Hewitt [violin], Jimmy Bennett [accordion], Salty Holmes [harmonica], ? [trumpet])
Recorded January 8, 1947 Chicago, IL
Released on Decca 46034


Listen here:




(c) Johnny Tyler and Riders of Rio Grande (1947)  (as "New Pretty Blonde (New Jole Blon)")
Johnny Tyler [vcl], George Chumura [gt], Richard Hamilton [gt], Judith Lee Cragin [gt], 
Robert Terry Fell [gt/harmonica], Leodie Jackson [steel], Carl Victor Bias [bass], 
Ralph Gleason [drums], Jesse Ashlock [fiddle], Norman Baker [fiddle], 
Robert Armstrong [piano]
Recorded January 9, 1947 RCA Victor Studio, 1016 North Sycamore St., Hollywood CA
Released on RCA-Victor 20-2171


Listen here:




In 1947 Roy Acuff recorded his own version of "Jole Blon", Writing credits: Acuff.
It was this version that most likely inspired Bruce Springsteen and Gary US Bonds to record their version in 1980.

(c) Roy Acuff And His Smoky Mountain Boys (1947)  (as "(Our Own) Jole Blon")
Roy Acuff [vcl], Lonnie Wilson [gt], Brother Oswald Kirby [dobro/vcl], Jess Easterday [mandolin], Welma Williams [bass], Tommy Magness [violin], Francis “Sonny Day”Tamvourin [accordion].
Recorded Jan 1947 CBS Studio (Radio Station KNX), Hollywood, CA
Released on Columbia 37287


Listen here:




(c) Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys (1947)  (as "Jole Blon")
Johnny Wright, Jack Anglin, Ray Atkins, Eddie Hill, Paul Buskirk, Dorris Paul Warren.
Recorded March 25, 1947 New York City
Released on Apollo 142


Listen here:




Eventually, in 1949, Amede Breaux would form the band Acadian Aces and record the song again.

(c) Amidie Breaux And The Acadian Aces (1951)  (as "Jole Blonde")
Recorded 1949 in Jay Miller's studio in Crowley, Louisiana
Released on Feature F-1023.






(c) Waylon Jennings (1959) (as "Jole Blon")
Buddy Holly on guitar and King Curtis on tenor sax
Recorded September 1958 in Clovis, New Mexico
Released in 1959 on Brunswick 9-55130


Listen here:




(c) Jimmy Newman (1959)  (as "Jolie Blon")
Recorded June 10, 1959 Bradley Film and Recording Studio, Nashville, TN
Released on the album "This is Jimmy Newman" (MGM SE-3777)


Listen here:



Jimmy re-recorded the song in 1963.

Released on the album "Folk Songs Of The Bayou Country" (Decca DL 4398)


and in 1974.




(c) Rod Bernard (1965)  (as "My Jolie Blonde")



Listen here:




(c) Gary U.S. Bonds and Bruce Springsteen (1981)  (as "Jole Blon")
Springsteen had originally recorded the song for his 1980 album, The River, but it was never released and he decided to re-record the song with Gary U.S. Bonds for Bonds 1981 album "Dedication".

The Bonds/Springsteen version was most likely modeled after the Roy Acuff version (SEE ABOVE)




Listen here;



Gary U.S. Bonds peforms "Jole Blon" with Bruce Springsteen at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (September 21, 2012). "The Boss says, "I've seen this sign at 95 shows. It's a pain in my ass." So to the satisfaction of the fan who says she's been carry the sign "her whole life", Bruce "imported Gary U.S. Bonds" to finally honor her request."

Listen here:




maandag 15 februari 2016

Twelve Days Of Christmas (1780 / 1909)



"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of a cumulative song a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas (the twelve days after Christmas).


On January 7, 1869 a version of the song was printed in Philadelphia, PA in that day's issue of the Evening Telegraph.


The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, January 07, 1869, FIFTH EDITION, Page 6, Image 6 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress


The song was published in England in 1780 without music as a chant or rhyme in a children's book "Mirth Without Mischief", as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet
It was printed in London by J. Davenport, George's Court. For C. Sheppard No 8 Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell.

Mirth Without Mischief : Anonymous : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The title page on "Mirth Without Mischief" says “Sung at King Pepin’s ball”, so this could mean the origin of the song is French.



There is no English King Pepin, but Pepin the Short was the father of Charlemagne. Pepin was King of the Franks from 751 until his death in 768. Another piece of evidence for French origin is that the partridge was unknown in England until 1770s when it was introduced from France. And the song has that light, dancing feel of a French carol.

https://historymyths.wordpress.com/tag/twelve-days-of-christmas-song/


"Les Douze Mois" ("The Twelve Months") (also known as "La Perdriole" ("The Partridge") is such a similar cumulative verse from France that has been likened to The Twelve Days of Christmas. 
This version was published in de Coussemaker's "Chants Populaires des Flamands de France" (1856)


Here are the lyrics and in parentheses [the English translation]

Le premier jour d'l'année , [the first day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le deuxième jour d'l'année , [the second day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le troisième jour d'l'année , [the third day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le quatrièm' jour d'l'année , [the fourth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le cinquièm' jour d'l'année , [the fifth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le sixièm' jour d'l'année , [the sixth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le septièm' jour d'l'année , [the seventh day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Sept moulins à vent, [seven windmills]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le huitième jour d'l'année , [the eighth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Huit vaches mordants, [eight biting cows]
Sept moulins à vent, [seven windmills]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le neuvièm' jour d'l'année , [the ninth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Neuf bœufs cornus, [nine horned oxen]
Huit vaches mordants, [eight biting cows]
Sept moulins à vent, [seven windmills]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le dixièm' jour d'l'année , [the tenth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Dix pigeons blancs, [ten white pigeons]
Neuf bœufs cornus, [nine horned oxen]
Huit vaches mordants, [eight biting cows]
Sept moulins à vent, [seven windmills]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le onzièm' jour d'l'année , [the eleventh day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Onze plats d'argent, [eleven silver dishes]
Dix pigeons blancs, [ten white pigeons]
Neuf bœufs cornus, [nine horned oxen]
Huit vaches mordants, [eight biting cows]
Sept moulins à vent, [seven windmills]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

Le douzièm' jour d'l'année , [the twelfth day of the year]
Que me donn'rez vous ma mie? [what will you give me, my love?]
Douze coqs chantants, [twelve singing cockerels]
Onze plats d'argent, [eleven silver dishes]
Neuf bœufs cornus, [nine horned oxen]
Huit vaches mordants, [eight biting cows]
Sept moulins à vent, [seven windmills]
Six chiens courants, [six running dogs]
Cinq lapins courant par terre, [five rabbits running along the ground]
Quat' canards volant en l'air, [four ducks flying in the air]
Trois rameaux de bois, [three wooden branches]
Deux tourterelles, [two turtle doves]
Un' perdrix sole, [one lone partridge]
Qui va, qui vient, qui vole, [who goes, who comes, who flies]
Qui vole dans les bois. [who flies in the woods]

According to de Coussemaker, the song was recorded "in the part of [French] Flanders that borders on the Pas-de-Calais.


In the earliest English versions, the word "On" is not present at the beginning of each verse—for example, the first verse begins simply "The first day of Christmas".
"On" was added in Frederic Austin's 1909 version, and became very popular thereafter.


The Twelve Days of Christmas : Frederic Austin : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

In the earliest known book printing of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", Mirth Without Mischief (ca. 1780), we have these lyrics;

The first day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

The second day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The third day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The sixth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The seventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,  Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Twelve lords a leaping,
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming, 
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five gold rings.
Four colley birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/twelve_days_of_christmas-1.htm

It was also published as an anonymous broadside, Angus, Newcastle, 1774–1825:


http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/static/images/sheets/10000/09435.gif

http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/search/roud/68

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 68.

http://www.vwml.org/record/RoudBS/B218490

https://mainlynorfolk.info/john.kirkpatrick/songs/thetwelvedaysofchristmas.html

The tunes of collected versions vary. The standard tune now associated with it is derived from the 1909 arrangement of this traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin. 

Frederic Austin - Wikipedia

The Twelve Days of Christmas (song) - Wikipedia



More versions here: The Originals © by Arnold Rypens - TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, THE

And here: http://secondhandsongs.com/work/124809/versions#nav-entity



The song was sung by Mrs. Susie Morrison (recorded by Alton Chester Morris for the Library Of Congress in 1937). This recording was never officially released.

http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.afc.afc9999005.5216/enlarge.html?from=default



On page 144 of the Index to the Field Recordings in the Flanders Ballad Collection at Middlebury College Middlebury, Vermont, a 1930 Field Recording by Ora Knapp from Dummerston, Vermont is mentioned.

http://sites.middlebury.edu/flanders/files/2013/09/Index_to_the_Field_recordings_in_the_Flanders_Ballad_Collection_at_Middlebury_College_Middlebury_Vermont_OCR1.pdf

http://www.vwml.org/record/RoudFS/S254563

That 1930 field recording can be listened to at 25 min and 33 sec on the next link:

C05A - archival cassette dub : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive



The first officially released recording I could find:

(o) Tom Glazer (1943) (as "Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Released on the album "Tom Glazer Sings Olden Ballads"
Released on Keynote album 131





Listen here:



Or here:





(c) Nelson Eddy (1946) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")

http://www.discogs.com/Nelson-Eddy-With-Robert-Armbruster-And-His-Orchestra-The-Twelve-Days-Of-Christmas/release/7872679

http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/651

Listen here:





(c) Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians (1947) (as "Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Recorded December 16, 1947 in New York City

Or here:





(c) Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters (1949) (as "Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Recorded May 10, 1949 in Los Angeles

http://www.discogs.com/Bing-Crosby-Andrews-SistersWith-Vic-Schoen-And-His-Orchestra-Twelve-Days-Of-Christmas-Here-Comes-San/release/5987463

Listen here:





(c) Ames Brothers (1950) (as "Twelve Days Of Christmas")

45cat - Ames Brothers - Sing A Song Of Christmas - Coral - USA

Listen here:





(c) Burl Ives (1951) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")

http://www.45cat.com/record/mjv4124

Listen here:  THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - BURL IVES.mp3






(c) Perry Como (1953) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Recorded May 26, 1953 in New York City

( The ) Twelve Days of Christmas

http://www.45cat.com/record/wby43

Listen here:





(c) Bob and Ron Copper (1955) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Bob and Ron Copper sang it in a Peter Kennedy recording 
Released on the album "Folk Song Today"(HMV DLP 1143)

https://mainlynorfolk.info/folk/records/folksongtoday.html

Listen here:



Or listen here: http://sounds.bl.uk/World-and-traditional-music/Reg-Hall-Archive/025M-C0903X0198XX-1700V0

Or here: http://footstompinrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-twelve-days-of-christmas-bob-and-ron-copper-sussex

In his song book of 1936 Jim Copper called this song "Christmas Presents", and this title has been used for the reissue of Bob and Ron Copper's 1950s recording on the 2007 CD Coppers at Christmas.

https://mainlynorfolk.info/folk/records/copperfamily.html#coppersatchristmas



(c) Springfields (1962) (as "Twelve Days Of Christmas")

http://www.45cat.com/record/p125

Listen here:





On October 26, 1964 The Beatles recorded a parody on "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" to be released as a Christmas record, but it was never released officially

(c) The Beatles (1964) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")

http://www.discogs.com/Beatles-The-Seven-Years-Of-Christmas/release/5059998

Listen here (it starts around 5 minutes in the next YT)





(c) The Sinatra Family (1968) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Frank Sinatra and his children, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Nancy Sinatra, and Tina Sinatra, included their own version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on their 1968 album, The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas

Listen here:





(c) John Denver and The Muppets (1979) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")
The Muppets and singer-songwriter John Denver performed "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on the 1979 television special "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together".
It was featured on the album of the same name. The song has been recorded by the Muppets five different times, featuring different Muppets in different roles each time

Listen here:





(c) Swingles (=Swingle Singers) (1986) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Released on the album "Christmas" (Polydor 5206)

http://www.discogs.com/The-Swingles-Christmas/release/5725344

http://www.jazzhistoryonline.com/Swingle_Discography_2.html

Listen here:





(c) Cliff Richard (1991) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")

http://www.45cat.com/record/xmas91

Listen here:





(c) Roger McGuinn (2000) (as "The Twelve Days Of Christmas")
Recorded in 2000 for his Folk Den Project.

http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden-wp/?p=6918

Listen here: http://ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden/php/music/12days.mp3



In 2001 Destiny's Child only needed 8 days in stead of 12 to reach the US charts

8 Days of Christmas (song) - Wikipedia

Destiny's Child – 8 Days Of Christmas (2001, CD) - Discogs

8 Days of Christmas - Wikipedia

Listen here:





A special Creature Comforts orchestral arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was made by British animator Nick Park and Aardman Animations. Featuring different animals discussing or trying to remember the lyrics of the song, it was released on Christmas Day 2005

See this animated clip here:







donderdag 11 februari 2016

Ντιρλαντά / Ntirlanta / Dirlada / Dirlanda (1965)



The Dirlada has been popular on the Greek island Kalymnos for a very long time.
Dirlada, which we encounter in several versions and in a number of variants, is a work song, which might be sung oil-press to hearten the workers tolling at the hand-press of the time, or in the boats during the processing of sponges, or when pulling the oars.
The tune but also the name, seem to be related to similar songs of the peoples of North Africa, with whom the Kalymnians long maintained - and still maintain - close relations, owing to the islanders' sponge-diving activities along the coasts of Egypt and Cyrenaica.
The musicologist Samuel Baud-Bovy speaks of tunes that are common to the peoples of the Mediterranean. We encounter such tunes in Kalymnos, as well (see the Smuggler's Song.. CD Lyceum Club of Greek Women, Kalymnos Annex).
In the years after the last world war, it began to be danced on Kalymnos in a manner reminiscent of Arabic dances, arapika , as they were called; that is, it was danced by couples, as a face-to-face, and the steps were quick and springy. The song is begun by one singer, the rest of the group joining in at the "break" and repeating the words.





The first recorded version I could find is by Παντελής Γκίνης (Pantelis Ginis).
It was recorded around 1965 under the production of Domna Samiou.

(o) Παντελής Γκίνης (Pantelis Ginis) (1965) (as "Ντιρλαντά") (Dirlada)
Released on Fidelity 7375





Or here:




The verses of this particular version are - as is generally admitted - the singer's own.
"Kapetan" Pantelis Ginis was discovered in the '60s by Domna Samiou, under whose direction were recorded the outstanding songs, the "Aghanda Yialessa" and the "Dirlada", which were recorded on the Fidelity-label (a sublabel of Polygram).
Today, as Domna Samiou herself confesses, she no longer remembers the names of the musicians who accompanied the song. Vivid in her memory, on the other hand, remains the extraordinary personality and fine voice of the late lamented "Kapetan Ginis".


The "DIRLADA DIRLADADA" is a sponge diver's song. Pantelis Ginis was a captain on a sponge diver's boat. Thus, to understand the lyrics, even if you know Greek, you have to know a few things about sponge divers' life and their working conditions.
Sponge divers started their trip to the North African coasts (so called "Barbaria") at Easter time and returned at the end of October.


They used a big boat called "Rezerva" as a storage for supplies, to store the sponges and to meet for dinner, which was the only meal they had during a day. The sponge diving was done with smaller boats most of which were operated by oars.
So sponge divers were working under the hot African sun all day, with very little hot and rusty water, with nothing around them but the open sea.
It was normal that after a while they had little courage to continue working. Their mind was at home, at food and of course at sex that have missed for months.
The purpose of Dirlada was to encourage sponge divers and to give them the rhythm while oaring. This was done by imaginary returning them to Kalymnos and offering visions of what they mostly desired at these difficult times.


Translation and explanation of the Pantelis Ginis-version
Geek Lyrics in latin charactersTranslationExplanation
Eh! dirlada dirladada, da da dirladadaEh! dirlada dirladada, da da dirladadano translation
Oh! dirlada ke teza oliOh! dirlada everybody exhaustedexhausted from the work
vre gia na paroume tin Poli,courage to get the Poli (Constantinople)the expression "to get Constantinople" also means "to conquer  woman"
Oh! dirlada dirladada, apo tin Poli tin ChaliOh! dirlada dirladada, from the Poli the ChaliFrom the inexpugnable  Chali.
Chali is a cape at the East side of Kalymnos. It belonged to the Municipality of Kalymnos who sold it to Nikolas Vouvalis the most famous and rich sponge trader. He made it his summer resort. With the money from this sale, the old port was built. It does not exist any more.
tin Atsaina tin Kali, Oh! dirlada dirladadaThe Kali of  Atsa, Oh! dirlada dirladadaThe Calliope daughter or wife of Atsas - probably another captain 
Oh! dirlada ke teza plates vre gia xanthes gia mavromates.Oh! dirlada keep your back tight for  blondes and  black-eyed women of course
Oh! dirlada dirladada, choro ton go pou den trava
i aderfi tou me ta mas
Oh! dirlada dirladada, I can see this guy not roaring,
well his sister is with us
This is a very insulting expression for a Kalymnian man.
Oh! dirlada vre levedonia
vre ke tis Barbarias glaronia Oh! dirlada dirladada
Oh! dirlada you upstanding man you seagull of Barbaria Oh! dirlada dirladada
vre dirlada, vre ke vradiazi, vre ki i kouverta 'nestenazi
vre ke o mageras fonazi, Oh! dirlada dirladada
vre dirlada, the night is coming, the deck is overcrowded and the cook is screaming, Oh! dirlada dirladada
Oh! dirlada ke teza oli vre gia na paroume tin Poli,
apo tin Poli tin Chali tin Atsaina tin Kali
Oh! dirlada everybody tight to get the  Poli,
from the Poli the Chali the Kali of Atsas
repeating previous lyrics
vre ti Chali to limionari, vre ti Maria tou Lisgari
ke pano sto aspro tis podari tha pa na deso palamari
then the little port of Chali, then Maria of Lisgaris
and on her white foot I am going to belay a cable.
Maria is the daughter or wife of Lisgaris (another captain probably), while the word cable is also used to describe the male sex
Oh! dirlada dirladada,Oh! dirlada ki irten o kombos
vre sto lemo ndos ton archondo
Oh! dirlada dirladada,Oh! dirlada and the bend has reached the lords' throatsThe meaning of this lyric is not quite obvious.
It might mean that we are ready to kill the lords or that the lords make so much money from us that they filled their stomach and reached their throat.
irthen o kombos to Kombali, i Katerina tou Tsagari,
vre tha ti valo mes sti plori ke tha tis kamo gio ke kori
Kombali the bend arrived, Katerina of Tsagaris,
well, I am going to put her in the bow and I am going to make her a girl and a boy
Kombali and Tsagaris are probably captains.
The meaning of the rest is quite obvious.
Oh! dirlada dirladada,Oh! dirlada vre sis levendes
vre tha sas kopso 'go violendes,
vre olonon 'po ena dyo vre ke tou Giorgou den tou dino.
Oh! dirlada dirladada,Oh! dirlada you upstanding man
I am going to cut violets for you, one or two for each one,
 but I will not give none to George



But according to some sources there is a version that even predates the Pantelis Ginis-version !!!

This version is included in the CD of "Lykeion ton Hellinidon" with the following description.
4. PENDE KE TESSERA ENNIA (Dirladada) (Five and four make nine) (Vocal)
Satirical song sung by women at "glentia". The first woman sings the song proper, while the others clap hands in rythm and join in singing "da da dirladada" at the end of each verse.
There are other verses to the same tune sung by men (See Lyceum Club of Greek Women 107 CD B no.24).

Listen here:




It was subsequently recorded by Dionysis Savvopoulos and became his best commercial hit.
But his success was tempered a bit, when he lost a court case in 1970/1971.
Pantelis Ginis proved in court that he had written the song. After Ginis's death, his family in Kalymnos inherited the copyrights of the song.

(c) Διονύσης Σαββόπουλος (Dionysis Savvopoulos) (1969) (as "Ντιρλαντά") (Diralada)
Released on Lyra LS 1334 



Listen here:




Many Greek and foreign versions followed:

(c) Νίκος Ξυλούρης (Nikos Xilouris) (1971) (as "Ντιρλαντά") (Dirlada)


Listen here:




In 1970 Boris Bergman, who had worked previously with Greek popgroup Aphrodite's Child, wrote French lyrics for this traditional song and it became a big hit in France in 1970.

(c) Les Dirlada (1970)  (as "Darla Dirladada")


Listen here:

Take notion of the "OB LA DI OB LA DA" bassline beginning at 1 minute and 9 seconds

Listen here:




(c) Dalida (1970) (as "Darla Dirladada")




Listen here:




(c) Marva (1970) (as "Darla Dirladada")
Dutch lyrics Nelly Byl




Listen to a sample here:




(c) Dunja Rajter (1971)  (as "Salem Aleikum")
German lyrics: Fred Weyrich



Listen here:





(c) Polis (1971) (as "Dirlada")
Former singer of Les Helleniques.


Listen here:





In 1971 2 smart Germans (Michael Schepior and Dieter Dierks) wrote English lyrics for the tune and this version became a big hit in Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium.

(c) Juan Bastos (1971) (as "Loop Di Love")


Listen here:




(c) Shag (=Jonathan King) (1972)  (as "Loop Di Love")


Listen here:




(c) In the French movie "Les Bronzés" (1978) (as "Darla Dirladada")
It was first sung as a parody in the French cult movie "Les Bronzés", directed by Patrice Leconte.
Performed by Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc, Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte and Bruno Moynot.

This parody was written by the Café-théâtre company "Le Splendid St Martin", with Patrice Leconte



It was sung at about 20 minutes and 35 seconds in that movie
And it was reprised at 1 hour 29 minutes and 30 seconds during the endcredits:


And here's the version from the soundtrack of "Les Bronzés".




(c) G.O. Culture (1993)  (as "Darla Dirladada")
In 1993 G.O. Culture had a massive hit in France with a cover-version of the 1978 parody version of Dirlada from the French cult movie "Les Bronzés".


Listen here:




(c) Wendy Van Wanten (2014)  (as "DarliDarlidada")
Dutch lyrics Peter Van Noort


Listen to a sample here: