LES FEUILLES MORTES AUTUMN LEAVES

the original text in French a literal translation in English the adaptation with English lyrics two videos of Les Feuilles Mortes in French two videos of Autumn Leaves in English one video of a jazz version Browse through the slides to find

the original text in French

a literal translation in English

the adaptation with English lyrics

two videos of Les Feuilles Mortes in French

two videos of Autumn Leaves in English

one video of a jazz version

"Les feuilles mortes" ("The Dead Leaves") was a poem written in 1945 by French poet Jacques Prevert and set to music by Joseph Kosma Jacques Prevert Joseph Kosma

Oh je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes Des jours heureux où nous étions amis En ce temps là, la vie était plus belle Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle Tu vois je n'ai pas oublié Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi Et le vent du nord les emporte Dans la nuit froide de l'oubli Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié La chanson que tu me chantais

C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble Toi tu m'aimais, et je t'aimais Et nous vivions tout les deux ensemble Toi qui m'aimais, moi qui t'aimais Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment Tout doucement sans faire de bruit Et la mer efface sur le sable Les pas des amants désunis

Oh I wish you would remember These happy days when we were friends In that time, life was much nicer And the sun more brilliant than today The dead leaves are gathered You see, I did not forget The dead leaves are gathered Memories and regrets as well And the north wind blows them away In the cold night of oblivion You see I did not forget The song you used to sing for me It is a song, that looks like us You, you loved me, and I loved you And we lived together, both of us You who loved me, and I who loved you But life separates Those who are in love Very softly, without a sound And the sea erases on the sand The footprints of separated lovers Literal translation a very basic word by word approach There is an English adaptation that you will see later

Yves Montand introduced "Les feuilles mortes" in 1946 for the film Les Portes de la Nuit . Although many singers have covered the version in French, Yves Montand’s remains the most complete and most classic interpretation of all.

On December 24, 1950, French singer Edith Piaf performed the song in both French and English on the radio program The Big Show One of the most moving interpretation in French is by Andra Bocelli and Veronica Berti Many other artists have performed Les Feuilles Mortes Juliette Greco, Laura Fygi, Patricia Kaas and more.

The falling leaves Drift by my window The falling leaves Of red and gold I see your lips The summer kisses The sunburned hands I used to hold Since you went away The days grow long And soon I'll hear Old winter's song But I miss you most of all My darling When autumn leaves Start to fall The great American songwriter Johnny Mercer adapted the lyrics in English in 1947, just a couple of verses and a chorus.

The film Autumn Leaves (1956) starring Joan Crawford featured the song performed by Nat King Cole, the coolest version ever.

The most tender rendition of the song in English is probably by Eva Cassidy. This is a live version, just with her guitar and that fantastic voice, full of emotion.

One of the most influential jazz versions of Autumn Leaves is on the Cannonball Adderley Blue Note album called " Somethin' Else " released in 1958, with Cannonball Adderley on alto sax, Miles Davis on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, Art Blakey on drums, Sam Jones on bass.

There are plenty more versions of that song which has become a standard on YouTube for all tastes and styles