The original lyrics of the song Le Moribond by Brel in 1961 are far darker and sarcastic and a little bitter in comparison to the Rod McKeun English 1964 translation and the version made famous by Terry Jacks " Seasons in the Sun " in 1974. Though each version has its own appeal. Brel's style is chock full of images and interpretations and social criticims popular in France and Belgium at the time.
Terry Jacks version is sad and sentimental but lacks the sarcasm and bitterness and the dark humor of the original Jacques Brel song. Jacques Brel in the original also takes potshots at the clergy and others including the institution of marriage and his wife's unfaithfulness with his best friend.
Jacques Brel- Le Moribond/ The Dying Man
Jacques Brel: Le Moribond/ Dailymotion Videos
Recorded: 15 November 2007Location: France
The Dying Man
Goodbye, Emile, you were my good friend
Goodbye, Emile, you were my good friend, you know
We sang together of the same great wines
We sang together of the same great women
We sang together of our shared sorrows
Goodbye, Emile, I'm going to die
It's difficult to die in the Spring, you know
But I'm going to the flowers with peace in my heart
Because I know that you are a good man, good as white bread
You'll take care of my wife after I'm gone
(Chorus)
I want everyone to laugh
I want everyone to dance
I want everyone to party like a bunch of fools
I want everyone to laugh
I want everyone to dance
When they come to put me in my grave
Goodbye, Father Priest, I liked you well enough
Goodbye, Father Priest, I liked you well enough, you know
We weren't always on the same side
We didn't always take the same path
But we were both looking for Heaven just the same
Goodbye, Father Priest, I'm going to die
It's hard to die in the Spring, you know
But I'm going to the flowers with peace in my heart
Because you were her Confessor
I know you'll take care of my wife when I'm gone
(Chorus)
Goodbye, Tony, I didn't like you too much
Goodbye, Tony, I didn't like you too much, you know
It's killing me to be dying today
While you are so vigorous and full of life
And stronger even than boredom itself
Goodbye, Tony, I'm going to die
It's hard to die in the Spring, you know
But I'm going to the flowers with peace in my heart
Because you were her Lover
I know you'll take care of my wife when I'm gone
(Chorus)
Goodbye, my wife, I love you still
Goodbye, my wife, I love you still, you know
But I'm taking that trip to see the Good Lord today
I'm taking the trip before you do
But we all take that trip when we must
Goodbye, my wife, I'm going to die
It's hard to die in the Spring, you know
But I'm going to the flowers with my eyes closed, once more
And because I closed them so many times before
I know you'll take good care of my heart
(Chorus)
from LeMoribond@Everything2.com
compare Brel's version to Terry Jack's
Terry Jacks - Seasons in the sun
From Noel Megahey's review of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at www.dvdtimes.co.uk
and see : JACQUES BREL: THE BELGIAN POP & ROCK ARCHIVES
Mich en Scene:Songs of Jacques Brel by Micheline Van Hautem review by Michael Dwyer
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris Soundtrack Lyrics
Check out version of " If You Go Away " by Shirley Basseyat YouTube
see you later,
GORD.
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