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Dai_in_the_summertime
14-05-2006, 07:34
Courtesy of http://www.phespirit.info/momus/19860112.htm

This is a COVER of a song by Jaques Brel and has also been covered by Momus. The Manics (Nicky Wire) originally stated this song was going to appear through the Lifeblood sessions but alas, it has now appeared on the JDB Solo album. Here are the lyrics:


So men are still at war in Ireland
For certain songs and certain dates
The tender gave way to the firebrand
And Europe gave way to the States

So now that money's all but scentless
Noses and consciences are clear
The pointless flowers can be dispensed with
But see a friend in tears

So our defeats are just reminders
Of death that waits behind it all
The body wilts before the mind does
Surprised to see how soon it falls

It's true our women have deceived us
All hunted species disappear
It's true we've shot the golden eagles
But see a friend in tears

It's true our cities are exhausted
Made by and for the middle aged
Our weakness gave them more than force did
We thought that love could cure a toothache

And in the underground we're drowning
Accelerating through the years
You who think you'll find the truth by frowning
See a friend in tears

It's true our mirrors don't show heroes
We lack the courage to be Jews
Without the elegance of Negroes
With our youthful fireworks all defused

And all these men who are our brothers
Wonder why we don't want to hear
How their worst enemies are their lovers
See a friend in tears

The song is stunning and I think it will be a beautiful JDB moment on the album.
Mr Inconspicuous
14-05-2006, 12:49
The song is stunning and I think it will be a beautiful JDB moment on the album.
And unbearably poignant, given the band's history. Could turn out to be the definitive Richey elegy they've never quite managed to write themselves...
Finn
14-05-2006, 12:55
The song is stunning and I think it will be a beautiful JDB moment on the album.
I agree - can't wait to hear James sing this!
nic
14-05-2006, 19:07
I agree - can't wait to hear James sing this!


Same here :)
If he sounds as good on this song as he does on The Endless Plain Of Fortune and Red Sleeping Beauty then it will be a amazing track :) and i hope he will play it live.
Takk
17-05-2006, 02:33
Great stuff. :D
Guernica
17-05-2006, 02:34
This one is seriously good stuff.
Dancing May Girl
17-05-2006, 02:36
:heart:
Matt_o_Mac
17-05-2006, 05:18
Will love to hear this live
rafe
17-05-2006, 08:42
That is a quality song! noticed james changes some lyrics
Miss Oceania
17-05-2006, 09:29
It's amazing, I love it to bits! Have had it on repeat on the train all the way to work. :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
burnleybassman
17-05-2006, 10:25
Its nice and a bit different. I think this track distills any doubts that JDB can write good lyrics with substance. But does anyone think Nicky may have helped him with some of the words on this track?

Musically its very sparse and simple - a bit like the cold Nebraska-esque sound James was talking about a while ago about the next Manics album. Fits perfectly - I can see him singing it on Later with Jools Holland already! :D
Enola Bradfield
17-05-2006, 13:51
I :heart: it!!!!

:mrgreen:
dailegs11
17-05-2006, 13:59
What a great song, really shows off his voice. Which I don't think most people outside of our little world realise how beautiful it is. This Bright eyes. Oh yes please. :heart: I could go on forever but i've made enough of an arse of myself. Bye Again.
Marcellin Caillou
17-05-2006, 14:07
What a great song, really shows off his voice. Which I don't think most people outside of our little world realise how beautiful it is. This Bright eyes. Oh yes please. :heart: I could go on forever but i've made enough of an arse of myself. Bye Again.*Falls off chair!*

No it's not me in one of my disguising moves. 'Tis the Dai.

Come back Dai, come back!
Furbag
17-05-2006, 14:08
Its nice and a bit different. I think this track distills any doubts that JDB can write good lyrics with substance. But does anyone think Nicky may have helped him with some of the words on this track?

Musically its very sparse and simple - a bit like the cold Nebraska-esque sound James was talking about a while ago about the next Manics album. Fits perfectly - I can see him singing it on Later with Jools Holland already! :D
It is a cover my good friend. :)
Cam
17-05-2006, 15:19
That is a quality song! noticed james changes some lyrics

- We lack the courage TO the jews
- Without the elegance of AFRICA
Flint
17-05-2006, 15:37
It's ok, but I prefer the two other songs much more. Never been that in love with plain acoustic tracks (although there is some background stuff in this one as well, but only a little).
Jennie Wren
17-05-2006, 15:38
I agree - can't wait to hear James sing this!

Me three! :mrgreen:
burnleybassman
18-05-2006, 10:37
It is a cover my good friend. :)

Oopsie :o

Glad you told me that! I do remember there is a cover on the album, couldn't remember the title. And no-one was saying that it was a cover on the radio etc. It does sound nice though :)

I would be interested in hearing the original!
Symmanine
18-05-2006, 11:41
Beautiful... just beautiful :heart:
Generation Terrorist
18-05-2006, 13:36
- We lack the courage TO the jews
- Without the elegance of AFRICA

I thought he might have sung "We lack the courage TO BE Jews" actually

I'm not sure though. Neither makes much sense but the latter's gramatically coherent at least
Mr Inconspicuous
19-05-2006, 00:48
- Without the elegance of AFRICA
Itself not the most "elegant" piece of lyric rewriting ever. :P
Also he changes "Ireland" to "this land" in the opening line. :mad:
Manic Matt
19-05-2006, 01:13
These lyrics are translated from French, remember ;)
Mr Inconspicuous
19-05-2006, 01:22
These lyrics are translated from French, remember ;)
Are you sure? I thought Brel wrote some of his songs in English. Anyway, thast's not really relevant, I'm talking about changes from the lyric as sung by Momus, which is quoted in the opening post of this thread, and is poetry from start to finish, whoever was responsible for it.
relic
20-05-2006, 13:56
I love this, I've played it six times in a row, and I can't see myself ever getting tired of it.
Loz
20-05-2006, 14:02
Can't wait to hear this track!!
In fact can't wait to hear the whole album...:)
Matt_o_Mac
20-05-2006, 14:09
I think its beautiful
Miss Oceania
20-05-2006, 16:26
I hope he plays it on Wednesday, there'll be tissues at the ready if he does. It is such a beautiful song, sung beautifully, by a beautiful man! :)
unger76
21-05-2006, 17:48
I also think it's very beautiful.
I just listened to a snippet of the Jacques Brel original "Voir Un Ami Pleurer" at Amazon and I don't think that James changed it much (just played it on a guitar than on the piano), which is a good thing.
http://www.hosting-media.com/fr/amazon/30s20k/0042281053726-01_08.smil

markus
baphomet_irl
21-05-2006, 19:22
it is a v good song indeed

but Jesus i hope JDB doesn't go all Jack L on us :s

(Irish people will know what I mean :p )
BloodFlowerBill
21-05-2006, 21:08
Can't wait to hear a good recording of this.