Le conseil de guerre traditional song

Jean Pierre · March 01, 2016, 10:32:32 AM

It is a French traditional song... some people say of time of Napoleon's war ? In any case it is in Vendée ( France)

She was admirably sung well by Pierre Bensusan in first one 33T " near Paris"

It is a song about the deserters

I play three part of guitar (in DADGAD tune) , Wisthle Low D, Bodhran and UKE bass (it s a modal song...)

Here are the words in French and a rough ttraduction in English

L e conseil de guerre hélas m'a condamné
A passer par les armes pour y être fusillé
Quand je fus sur la place tout l'monde m'y regardait
Mes anciens camarades tenaient leur fusil prêt

C'est vous autres mes cher frères qui allaient me faire mourir
Ma mort je vous pardonne, ne me faites pas trop languir
Mon corps criblé de balles va tomber devant vous
Portez chers camarades cette lettre à mon amour.

En grande diligence je t'écris ce billet
Dans la ville de Nantes tu ne me reverra jamais
Gardez bien l'assurance, de donner mon diamant.
Sur moi plus d'espérance fait choix d'un autre amant.
________________________________

The council of war regrettably condemned me
To pass by weapons to be shot there
When I was on the place all the world looked at me there
My old companions held their ready rifle

It is you my expensively brothers that were going to make for me die
My death I forgive you, do not too much make me languish
My body riddled with bullets is going to fall in front of you
Carry, dear companions this letter in my love.

In big diligence I write you this ticket
In the city of Nantes will never revise me
Keep, please, the assurance, to give my diamond*.
For me more hope makes, choice of another lover.

*The diamond was the present makes by the boy who left to the war for her fiancée (girl friend?), who had to produce her when he returned security of loyalty there