The Partisan – Musica in Classe – Tuesday 26th February 2013

Musica in Classe: Tuesday 26th February 2013
2130-2200 Italian time | 2030-2100 UK time | 1230-1300 SL time|
Italian Mood, Second Life (IM me for a TP if you get lost!)

Time for a change from sentimental love songs to something with a bit more ‘substance’. This week: The Partisan, as sung by Leonard Cohen in 1969 on French TV (the year the former member of the French resistance and co-writer of the text, d’Astier died). Partisan clothing optional! (I have bought my first rifle for the occasion!)

We’ll concentrate on the English translation of the verses, but we’ll have a go at the French as well! Thanks as ever to Loris for selecting this song and translating the words so faithfully. But before we get to the words, here are a few links to set the song in context:

Information about Emmanuel d’Astier de La Vigerie (9 January 1900 – 12 June 1969), French journalist, politician and member of the Resistance on Wikipedia.

The original French text of the song La Complainte du partisan

A version of the song with ‘Noir Désir 16 Horsepower’ (thanks to Calliope for this link)

Joan Baez’ version with a great set of pictures

….. and last, but not least, here are the words:

The Partisan
Leonard Cohen

When they poured across the border
I was cautioned to surrender,
this I could not do;
I took my gun and vanished.
Quando attraversarono a frotte il confine
mi dissero di arrendermi,
non potevo farlo;
presi la pistola e mi dileguai.

I have changed my name so often,
Yes, I’ve lost my wife and children
but I have many friends,
and some of them are with me. With me out there now.
Ho cambiato nome così spesso,
si, ho perso moglie e figli
ma ho molti amici,
e alcuni di loro sono con me. Con me là fuori ora.

An old woman gave us shelter,
kept us hidden in the garret,
then the soldiers came;
she died without a whisper.
Una vecchia ci offrì rifugio,
ci tenne nascosti nella soffitta,
poi i soldati arrivarono;
morì senza un sussurro.

There were three of us this morning
I’m the only one this evening
but I must go on;
these frontiers are my prison.
Eravamo in tre questa mattina
sono l’unico rimasto questa sera
ma devo andare avanti;
queste frontiere sono la mia prigione.

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we’ll come from the shadows. I mean these shadows.
Oh, il vento, il vento soffia,
tra le tombe il vento soffia,
presto arriverà la libertà;
allora usciremo dall’ombra. Dall’ombra

Les Allemands étaient chez moi,
on m’a dit “résigne-toi”,
mais je n’ai pas pu;
j’ai repris mon arme.
I tedeschi erano da noi,
mi dissero, “Arrenditi”,
ma non potei;
ripresi la mia arma.

J’ai changé cent fois de nom,
j’ai perdu femme et enfant
mais j’ai tant d’amis;
j’ai la France entière.
Ho cambiato nome cento volte
ho perso la donna e i figli
ma ho tanti amici;
ho la Francia intera.

Un vieil homme dans un grenier
pour la nuit nous a cachés,
les Allemands l’ont pris;
il est mort sans surprise.
Un vecchio, in soffitta
per la notte ci ha nascosto,
i tedeschi l’hanno preso;
è morto senza sorpresa.

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we’ll come from the shadows. Oh, these shadows.
Oh, il vento, il vento soffia,
tra le tombe il vento soffia,
presto arriverà la libertà,
allora usciremo dall’ombra. Oh dall’ombra.

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we’ll come from the shadows. I mean these shadows.
Oh, il vento, il vento soffia,
tra le tombe il vento soffia,
presto arriverà la libertà,
allora usciremo dall’ombra. Dall’ombra.