Où sont-ils mes petits copains? - ANTI-NAZI SONG WITH SURREAL COVER ILLUSTRATION

Paris: Paul Beuscher. Sheet music for Piaf's celebrated anti-war song, featuring a striking surrealist cover of four floating Piaf faces. A little toned and worn around the edges, otherwise fine. 2 pp. 17.5 x 27 cm.


When war broke out, Piaf's career in Paris was just taking off. In an attempt to avoid the advancing Nazis, Piaf left Paris, but returned once the Armistice had been signed and France occupied and annexed. She had to register with the German Propaganda department and agree to have her song lyrics vetted, but the Nazis liked her and she was encouraged in her work. Though she mostly not political, she did take some liberties that could have landed her in serious trouble: in 1940, for example, she recorded the present song ‘Ou sont'ils mes petits copains?’ (Where are my boyfriends?) about friends who had gone to war singing, and during one performance of the song, she went to far as to drape herself in the French flag. (12369)

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Printed Music

Jazz

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