Madelon

“I’ll be true to the whole regiment,” 1918.
words by Louis Bousquet
English Version by Alfred Bryan
music by Camille Robert

A celebrated French soldier’s song. A march and one-step.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. There is a tavern way down in Brittany
    Where weary soldiers take their liberty
    The keeper’s daughter whose name is Madelon
    Pours out the wine while they laugh and “carry on”
    And while the wine goes to their senses
    Her sparkling glance goes to their hearts
    Their admiration so intense is
    Each one his tale of love imparts
    She coquettes with them all, but favors none at all
    And here’s the way they banter every time they call

Chorus
O Madelon you are my only one
O Madelon now that the foe is gone
Let the wedding bells ring sweet and gay
Let this be our wedding day
O Madelon sweet maid of Normandy
Like Joan of Arc you’ll always be to me
All thru life for you I’ll carry on
Madelon Madelon Madelon

  1. He was a fair haired boy from Brittany
    She was a blue-eyed maid from Normandy
    He said Goodbye to this pretty Madelon
    He went his way with the boys who carry on
    And when his noble work was ended
    He said farewell to his command
    Back to his Madelon he wended
    To claim her little heart and hand
    With lovelight in his glance, this gallant son of France
    He murmur’s as she listens with her heart entranced

Sung here by Fred Feild: