Artist: Pétrus
Author: Jean Baptiste Clément/Antoine Renard
Label: Berliner Gramophone
Year: 1900
Oldest recording available. The song was first performed by Belgian tenor turned music-hall star Antoine Renard, who received the lyrics first-handed from future socialist propagandist Jean Baptiste Clément. Written in 1866, five years before the Paris Commune. Best known song of that period and a left wing anthem ever since. In a 1885 songbook Clément dedicated it to the memory of "la vaillante citoyenne Louise, ambulancière de la Rue Fontaine-au-Roi, le dimanche 28 mai 1871". That's near the place of the last barricade held by the Communards. Clément is buried at Père Lachaise.
Covers:
Gabriel Soulacroix [also for Gramophone]
Charles Trenet [swing version]
Gerard Cox [as De Tijd Van De Kersen]
Bobbejaan Schoepen [with Geike Arnaert (ex Hooverphonic)]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)