Myrella la jolie (MS2011-3222-053)

Myrella la jolie (MS2011-3222-053)

French language song text from VFC2006-0002 Beaudoin Family Collection. MS2011-3222-053 Eva Lacourse Songbook. Pp. 88-91.

“Reste ma seule amie” [“Reste ma seule amie”] has all the characteristics of a popular French romantic song from the early 1900s, but to date not printed or recorded settings have been found.

“Mirella la jolie” [“Myrella la jolie”] is a popular French song of the early 1900s, with words by Ferdinand Louis Bénech (1875-1925) and music by Désiré Berniaux 1869-1960). The earliest known publication is a sheet music edition published in Paris by Bénech in 1909. The song apparently enjoyed considerable popularity in Paris and was recorded by a number of French singers of the era.

Around 1923, Quebec City lyric baritone singer, music teacher, and retailer Joseph Fournier de Belleval (1892-1945) recorded this song in a New York City studio (issue #E7850; matrix #888875), one of over 100 such songs which he recorded for the Columbia label between 1921 and 1929. For more information about de Belleval, see the Library and Archives Canada website: English | Français

In Florence, Italy a suitor separated from his love Myrella hurries to reach her home, only to be informed that she died six months earlier; he becomes a vagabond who calls her name every night.

VFC2006-0002 Beaudoin Family Collection. MS2011-3222 Eva Lacourse Songbook. Vermont Folklife Center Archive, Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury, Vermont, United States of America.

Myrella la jolie

Myrella the Pretty

Sur la route de Florence

Désiré Berniaux

Ferdinand Louis Bénech

1
Sur la route de Florence
Malgre le soleil en feu
Seul un voyager s’avance
Et son pas sonne joyeux
Pour advancer aussi vite
Il faut que ce soi un fou
Ou quelque voleur en fuite
Braves gens, rassurez vous
Car ce long du chemin
En marchant de la sorte
Il chant ce refrain que
Le sephir emporte

Refrain
Myrella, Myrella la jolie
Toi la plus belle de l’Italie
Je reviens t’apportant le bonheur
Mais toi ma tu garder ton coeur
Pour trouve la fortune o ma blonde
J’ai longtemp chemine par le monde
Et j’ai de lor a lor en tas
Je te l’apporte Myrella

2
Il fait nuit chacun repose
Il arrive a la maison
Frappe a la porte close
Mais personne ne repond
Myrella c’est moi ma belle
Je revient c’est pour toujour
Entend la voix qui t’appelle
Une vielle repondit
Etranger parle bas et repasse la porte
Voila bientot six mois que
La pauvrette est morte

Refrain
Myrella Myrella la jolie
Pour ton amour j’eus donne ma vie
Puisque la mort m’a ravi ton coeur
Il n’est plus pour moi de bonheur
Reprenant sa course vagabonde
L’homme s’en fuit dans la nuit profonde
Et l’on entend le soir la bas
Un fou qui chante Myrella

Fin