cassepompon

Isabelle By Jacques Brel: English Translation

Below is my poetic translation of Isabelle by Jacques Brel. Particular attention has been paid to keeping the rhyme and flow of the piece while retaining the poetic origins of the French lyric.

Jacques Brel – No. 3 (Demain L’On Se Marie)

This is Jacques Brel’s third ‘album’, released on 10″ 33.3 rpm in April 1958. The album also goes by the name “Demain L’On Se Marie”.

Les Singes by Jacques Brel: English Translation

Here’s my poetic translation of the song ‘Les Singes’ from 1961… Before the hairless asses there was liberty, Even the flower and the bird were free. But now they’ve arrived all the plants have been put in pots And the birds are all in cages if they’re not already shot. Because they invented prison andContinue reading “Les Singes by Jacques Brel: English Translation”

How To Spot A Real Jacques Brel Autograph

Jacques Brel autographs pop up every now and then online or in auctions, and a lot of money can be spent on collecting them.

Jacques Brel – No. 2 (Quand On N’A Que L’Amour)

This is Jacques Brel’s second ‘album’, released on 10″ 33.3 rpm in 1957. The album also goes by the name “Quand On N’a Que L’amour”.

Jacques Brel Et Ses Chansons

Overview This is Jacques Brel’s first ‘album’, released on 10″ 33.3 rpm in 1954. The album also goes by the name “1ère Série”. Here we see Brel in his folk-esque phase, which sees him writing highly poetic and political songs – mainly focusing on morality and religion. The lyrics on this first album are dark,Continue reading “Jacques Brel Et Ses Chansons”

Jacques Brel – No. 12

This 1962 live EP is taken from the the album A l’Olympia ’61 was Brel’s last EP to be released on the Phillips label. It came with two very distinct covers, as you can see from above…

Clara By Jacques Brel: English Translation

Here’s my poetic translation of the 1961 song “Clara” by Jacques Brel… I love you so, ClaraI love you soI love you so, ClaraI love you so At the carnival of RioYou’re always the sameAt the carnival of RioYou never change And, me I died in ParisA long time agoI died of boredomWaiting for youContinue reading “Clara By Jacques Brel: English Translation”

Jacques Brel – No. 11

This 1961 EP is an intriguing mixture of Brel’s classic style of chanson with the Latin-inspired jazz of the song “Clara”, which reflected Brel’s growing popularity in South American countries such as Argentina. “Clara” is an interesting song which revolves around a heartbreak set within the backdrop of Rio’s Carnival, where the narrator laments hisContinue reading “Jacques Brel – No. 11”

Jacques Brel – No. 10

The first track to this 1961 EP was translated (somewhat poorly) as “Seasons in the Sun”. Like most of the translations of Brel’s work, “Seasons in the Sun” takes away Brel’s dark humour and dumbs down the lyrics. The tracks are “The Dying Man (Seasons in the Sun)”, “We Don’t Forget” and “The Drunk”… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJyKtTLMNew