My (American) grandfather fought in WW1. When I was a young boy, he used to sing this song. He also had the record which we plaiyed on an old wind-up Victrola. I remembered several of the verses, but had forgotten the others. Thank you for recording this! It brought back great memories.
This was actually how the Belgian bricklayer Pierre Degeyter first made the tune of this immortal song for the lyrics of Edouard Pottier in 1888 in Lyon, France. A small accordion was all he had. Later the local worker's band took the tune and from there it spread to Europe and the world. Including my Brazil with a Portuguese language version made in 1910.
We have achieved so much since 1917, just imagine the paradise we can create by 2117! Comrades we have nothing to lose and a world to gain, proletarians of all nations unite!
I was listening to "The Mastermind of Mars" by Edgar Rice Buroughs and the main character said he was humming this song at one point. Thank you for putting it out there so that I could know what he was humming. haha
While searching the internet for old public domain songs, I stumbled upon this cover and I absolutely fell in love with your take and arrangement on the song! I've probably listened to this cover dozens of times by now. I liked the original songs a lot but the more melancholic take in the cover has absolutely enchanted me. I was wondering if you still have a music sheet or some other kind of reference for the cords after all this time for your particular arrangement?
What a beautiful song. I first saw Danielle perform when I was visiting friends in Montreal. I picked up a cherished CD of hers and I lament that it was loaned to a friend… never to be seen again. Sadly, Danielle’s music is impossible to find on the internet. 😢
There seem to be several variations on this but but I prefer this one which I first heard on a Dave Swarbrick album. your playing is superb. Guitar arrangement is great too.
Lovely! I'm trying to work out a way to perform this for my mamma on mother's day without an accordion.. Maybe guitar or harmonica. You are the only person who is playing this live and I thank you.
