"Mon légionnaire" is a French song introduced in

1936 Events January–February * January 20 – The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne of the United Kingdom as King Edward VIII, following the death of his father, George V, at Sandringham House. * January 28 – Death and state funer ...

by vocalist

Marie Dubas Marie Dubas (3 September 1894 – 21 February 1972) was a French music-hall singer, diseuse and comedian. Biography Born in Paris, France, Marie Dubas began her career as a stage actress but became famous as a singer. Using the great Yvette Gui ...

, with lyrics by

Raymond Asso Raymond Asso (2 June 1901 – 24 October 1968) was a French lyricist. Early life Born in Nice, France, his parents separation saw him leave for Morocco at the age of 15. After his arrival he tried numerous professions, including: shepherd, factor ...

and music by

Marguerite Monnot Marguerite Monnot (28 May 1903 – 12 October 1961), was a French songwriter and composer best known for having written many of the songs performed by Édith Piaf ("Milord", "Hymne à l'amour") and the music for the stage musical ''Irma La Douc ...

. Marie Dubas toured the United States with this song in 1939.

Édith Piaf Édith Giovanna Gassion (19 December 1915 – 10 October 1963), known as Édith Piaf (), was a French singer and lyricist best known for performing songs in the cabaret and modern chanson genres. She is widely regarded as France's greatest popu ...

started performing "Mon légionnaire" as a music hall singer in 1937.

Writer

Raymond Asso was a veteran of the Foreign Legion, who also wrote " Le Fanion de la Légion" (The Flag of the Legion), which was taken up by Dubas and afterwards by Piaf, but with less success.

Edith Piaf version

The song is now mainly identified with

, who took it up as a central element of her repertoire. It appears in most collections of Piaf's songs. The romantic theme of a woman's longing for an embittered Legionnaire who refuses to reveal his name, with whom she has a brief affair, fits well with Piaf's image.

Cover versions

"Mon légionnaire" was recorded by

Serge Gainsbourg Serge Gainsbourg (; born Lucien Ginsburg; 2 April 1928 – 2 March 1991) was a French singer-songwriter, actor, composer, and director. Regarded as one of the most important figures in French pop, he was renowned for often provocative rel ...

in 1987; the male voice singing the lyrics made famous by Piaf gave the song a strong

homoerotic Homoeroticism is sexual attraction between members of the same sex, including both male–male and female–female attraction. The concept differs from the concept of homosexuality: it refers specifically to the desire itself, which can be tempor ...

undertone. This new version of "Mon légionnaire" was a hit on French dance floors, both gay and heterosexual. French jazz singer

Raquel Bitton Raquel Bitton (born in Marrakesh, Morocco) is a French and Spanish language singer, actress and playwright. Biography In 1970, as a teenager, Bitton moved to San Francisco with her parents and brothers. She began to learn the songs from the Fren ...

performed the song as part of her Piaf tribute show "Piaf: Her Story, Her Songs". The song was also covered by

Viktor Lazlo Sonia Dronnier (born 7 October 1960), known by her stage name Viktor Lazlo, is a French writer, singer, and comedian. Born in France, she studied in Belgium, where she is primarily known. Her biggest hit was "Breathless" in 1987. That year sh ...

for her album Loin de Paname. A version with the lyrics translated into English appears on the 1981 album ''

Spirit of St. Louis The ''Spirit of St. Louis'' (formally the Ryan NYP, registration: N-X-211) is the custom-built, single-engine, single-seat, high-wing monoplane that Charles Lindbergh flew on May 20–21, 1927, on the Charles Lindbergh#New York–Paris flight ...

'' by

Ellen Foley Ellen Foley (born June 5, 1951) is an American singer and actress who has appeared on Broadway and television, where she co-starred in the hit NBC sitcom '' Night Court'' during its second season. In music, she has released five solo albums, bu ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mon legionnaire Songs about the military Songs about soldiers French Foreign Legion 1936 songs Édith Piaf songs Serge Gainsbourg songs Music videos directed by Luc Besson Songs with music by Marguerite Monnot French Foreign Legion in popular culture

Writer

Edith Piaf version

Cover versions

See also

References