Georges Brassens – Manuscript – “Elegy for a cellar rat”.

Georges Brassens (1921.1981)

Autograph manuscript – Elegy for a cellar rat.

Two folio pages, graph paper on the front.

On the back, printed letterhead "Georges Brassens 42 rue Santos-Dumont"

[Paris. 1978]

A rare manuscript of this song, written in memory of the wife of his jazz musician friend, Moustache. Composed of 48 lines, the manuscript contains some variations with the lyrics that were ultimately recorded.

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Elegy for a Cellar Rat

Nobody would have believed this idiot

Prophesying, unfortunately

My poor little cellar rat

You would arrive before the time

You weren't the type to turn

From the edge, and we all knew it, at the slightest bad wind, it would be like this

The kind of person who would abandon ship

And you're the first one who did it

Now, my friend, let them hold you captive

Within the heavens

That I disguise myself as an orchestral singer

For your beautiful eyes

As I leave, my friend, I assure you

You've cast a pall of darkness deep within us

Although we didn't put a crepe on

Our fucking bagpipes

You should note that I've never been seen before

It's a new arrival

Make a beef sandwich with croquembouches

This is in your honor

Also know that when listening to Bechet(te)

Foll' gamberge we see night has fallen

Your ghost that secretly skips around

Old Dovecote Street

Without any "goodbye my brothers"

But we don't hold it against you

Without even realizing it, you left to do

Your hole under the snows of yesteryear.

From now on, it's not just salads,

Among them were Flora, Jeanne, and Thaïs

I'm including your name in the ballad

Beautiful ladies of yesteryear.

Now, my friend, your place is made

Among the good guys,

What have you found for the eternal celebration?

Papa Zutty,

Warm up the place for all the old schoolboys!

Machin Chose, and Luter and Longnon,

And that fat on Moustache's belly,

The faithful companions.

If he is brave, why should God the Father

Up there would

Some difference between Saint-Pierre

And Saint-Germain-des-Prés?

Deep down, we hope that in this

Merciful Paradise,

May there be tomorrows filled with dancing for you

Or there is no God.

Bright days ahead for you, filled with dancing

Or there is no God.

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Moustache (1929-1987) was a French actor and jazz drummer. In 1978, he created the group "Les Petits Français" which recorded, among other things, jazz covers of songs by Georges Brassens.

Élégie pour un rat de cave is the first song on the album Georges Brassens joue avec Moustache et les Petits Français recorded in 1978 and released in January 1979 (Philipps/Phonogram).