The musical traditions from County of Nice:
Music introduction - Cross-over
Popular songs - Animal songs - Racy songs - Work songs - Political and social songs - Contemporary songs
Farandole - Round dances of May - Close couple dances - Characters dances - Circumstance tunes - Carnival tunes
Music for children - Sacred & religious music - Christmas carols - Chimes & knells

The Occitany: Limoux’ carnival tunes

Legend (click icons, on the left side of tunes title, to access to corresponding files):
		“fife & drums” MIDI file (a)(b)(c).			“brass band” MIDI file (a)(b)(c).			“other instruments” MIDI file (a)(b)(c).
		score: PDF file (c).			lyrics.
Date (dd/mm/yyyy) is the one of the MIDI file. You may also download MIDI and scores files as a whole from the Download page. (a) Tunes will sound better if your computer is connected to a high-fidelity amplifier. (b) Without any further observation, arrangements and harmonizations by J.-G. M. (c) These files and their content are © 2001-2012 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi.

1. From Cinderella and Donkeyskin to King Carnival
2. Tune Adieu, pauvre Carnaval (Farewell, poor Carnival): origins and variants
3. Other Carnival tunes
4. Official songs from the Carnival of Nice

From Cinderella and Donkeyskin to King Carnival

February is an engagement month, and it couldn’t be quoted one of the formal days of this month which wouldn’t be more or less dedicated to the search of the fiancé or the fiancée. Candlemas, February the 14th (dedicated to St Valentin who would give back sight to a young pagan girl), Shrovetide, the brands have common features. The whole generaly takes place around an open fire or a fireplace: divinatory practices by throwing an handful of ashes to burning hot firebrands, or attribution of a fiancée around bonfires or crossing through burning hot charcoals, the Ashes fiancées lead us to Cinderella, the Ashes Queen, whose several versions locate the tale at Carnival time.
On the origin, the Ashes fiancée was the embodiment of the new year, and her engagement with the young Sun (christianized in St Valentin), symbol of the spring fertilizing forces, maked up a magic ritual fated to promote weddings and insure them fecundity. But, if fatality, which presides at the course of seasons and year, leads the dance, the old year isn’t always definitely defeated in the fights of the new year. It isn’t out of the ordinary that, rising again from her ashes, she begins fighting again at the previous day of spring. As a symbol of the old year, the old queen, the old witch or the Cinderella’s stepmother will be put to death, burned and reduced to ashes during Lent.
When Donkeyskin runs away from her father’s approaches, she hides herself, according to the versions, under a skin dress, or a plant dress, or likewise wood dress. This disguise was destinated to transform the young princess and give her appearance of the winter or the old year. So travestied, Donkeyskin is compelled to fulfil an honourless job as a poultry maid, queen of the outside domestic service, reminding us of the Cinderella’s condition, queen of the inside domestic service. Later, when Donkeyskin-Cinderella escapes from the dance, she throws to her pursuers, with a carnivalesque wave of the hand, pearls, gold money, sand, smoke...

According to P. Saintyves, Les Contes de Perrault et les Récits parallèles (Perrault’s tales and parallel narratives).

So King Carnival could be the good-natured survival of the archaic symbol of the old year, which is reduced to ashes during Lent. Moreover, isn’t her wife called « La Carême » (The Lent)?

Tune Adieu, pauvre Carnaval (Farewell, poor Carnival): origins and variants

The 1st theme, written on a slow 3/4 time (quarter = 60), is spread in the whole Occitanie and beyond. Attributed either to Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) or to the french castrat soprano, Egide Joseph Ignace Antoine Albanese (1729/1731-1800), native of the italian city of Albano. The composer set to music the poem Les Tendres Souhaits (Tender Wishes, or Les Souhaits, Wishes). First line says “Que ne suis-je la fougère...” (Why am I not the fern?). Verse writing is by Charles-Henri Ribouté (1708-1740), not to be mixed up with the librettist François-Louis Riboutté (1770-1834). (The text is less often attributed to Jean-Jacques Rousseau.) This “timbre” is known in Auvergne under the name of Albanese’s air, as well as in County of Nice (Nouvé dai ciripicieu, Christmas carol of the ciripicieu) or in Brittany where it is used by the canticle O soñjal en hon pec’hejoù...

When existing, the 2nd theme is played on a more joyful rhythm and is specific to each area. The “nissart” Adiéu paure Carneval is written on a duple time with quarter = 108, while the “limouxin” Adiu paure Carnaval is written in a larger four-four time with quarter = 120.

Adiéu paure Carneval (Farewell, poor Carnival), wailing. You are going away, and I’m coming... The young new year is coming to replace the old one. This end of carnival lament is sung during King Carnival’s cremation, alternately with a farandole (Carnaval es arrivat). Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (24/04/2001).
Adiu paure Carnaval (Farewell, poor Carnival), wailing. This version is played during las fecos de Limous, the carnival of Limoux (Aude, France). Traditional tune from Limoux, Languedoc, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (4/11/2006).
Les Tendres Souhaits (Tender Wishes), or “Why am I not the fern?”, ballad. Poem by Charles-Henri Ribouté, music by Antoine Albanese ? Giovanni Battista Pergolesi ?, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (20/12/2006).
Air d’Albanese (Albanese’s tune). Traditional from Auvergne, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (12/12/2006).
Nouvé dai ciripicieu (Christmas carol of the ciripiciéu), carol from the County of Nice.
O soñjal en hon pec’hejoù (Thinking about ours sins), hymn. Traditional from Brittany, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (12/12/2006).
Bonne nuit, les petits (Good night, the children), lullaby, ending theme music of the TV program broadcasted by french ORTF from 1962. Music by Antoine Albanese ? Giovanni Battista Pergolesi ?, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (20/12/2006).

Other Carnival traditional tunes

La Barba (The Beard) or La Ceba (The Onion). This farandole is often played during Carnival. Traditional from Provence, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (26/04/2006).
Carnaval es arrivat (Carnival came) or La Pipa (The Pipe). This farandole is played during King Carnival’s cremation, alternately with the Adiéu paure Carneval wailing. Traditional from Occitany, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (23/03/2007).
Sièn mòrou, lou sabèn (We are black, we know that), or Lu mòrou (The Moor). Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (20/05/2003).

Official songs from the Carnival of Nice

From 1903 up to 1961, the recreation committee of the city of Nice has organized an annual contest to select the official song of the year.

1903	La Maire Ciacrin (Mother Ciacrin)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1904	Onour à Carneval (Honour to Carnival)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1905	E viva Carneval ! (Long Live Carnival!)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1906	Bouh, bouh ! Ouh, ouh !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1907	Pin ! Pan !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1908	Raù ! Taù ! Plaù ! Che rire !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1909	Es Carneval (It’s Carnival)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1910	Chahut ! Chahut ! (Uproar! Uproar!)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1911	Aih ! Aih ! Aih !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1912	Patapoum !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1913	Pif ! Paf !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1921	Gnic ! Gnac !	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, and Antony Fenouille, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1922	Vèlou ! Vèlou ! (See him! See him!)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, and Antony Fenouille, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1923	Fai anà ! (Let’s go!)	Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelli, and Antony Fenouille, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1924	Nisskiri	Lyrics by Émile Dernay, music by Charles Coda.
1925	Nice en folie (Nice gone mad)	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, music by A. Pyns.
1926	Fla ! Fla !	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1927	Coucou ! (Hello!)	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1928	Tralala ! (Ha, ha!)	Lyrics by Théo Martin, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1929	Ah ! Ah !	Lyrics by C. de Richter, Jules Eynaudi, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli.
1930	Carnaval, y’a bon ! Carnival in the dark continent.	Lyrics by Théo Martin, music by Mario Delvar.
1931	Pi... ouit !	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, music by P. Harold.
1932	Mistigri	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, music by Sander Hyams.
1933	Fà-la ballà ! (Let she dance!)	Lyrics by J. Lemont, music by Mario Delvar.
1934	Ris ! Ris ! (Let you laugh!)	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, Pierre Porte, music by Jo Trave.
1935	Vaga d’aquì ! Vaga d’aïa !	Lyrics by D.J. Mari, music by A. de Pierlas.
1936	Faguès un sourire (Give a smile)	Lyrics by René Lecourt, music by Louis Raspini.
1937	Lu Milioun de Carneval (Millions from Carnival)	Lyrics by René Lecourt, Jouan Nicola, music by Louis Raspini.
1938	Sensa blaga (You’re kidding!)	Lyrics by René Lecourt, Jane Bermond, music by Louis Raspini.
1939	Siguèn joyous ! (Let’s be merry!)	Lyrics by Jane Bermond, music by Louis Raspini.
1947	Ha ! Ha ! Ha !	Lyrics by Jean Riosecco, Francis Gag, music by Georges Delrieu.
1948	Et zou !	Lyrics by René Montrefet, Jérôme Carlin, music by René Montrefet.
1949	Atomicus	Lyrics by Théo Martin, music by A. Sanderson.
1950	Carnaval (Carnival)	Lyrics and music by Roger Lucchesi and Louis Unia.
1951	Oh ! La, la ! La Fontaine	Lyrics by Camille Sauvage and Jean Levert, music by Jean Levert.
1952	Flon, flon (Oompah)	Lyrics by J.F. Fabre, Jouan Nicola, music by Tony Rainaud.
1953	Carnaval circus (Carnival’s circus)	Lyrics by Jérôme Carlin, music by Claude Noël.
1954	Carneval toujou (Carnival always)	Lyrics by A.P. Court, music by Marius Ausello.
1955	Carneval a dich (Carnival said)	Lyrics by A.P. Court, music by Marius Ausello and Georges Truchi.
1956	Zon zon	Lyrics by A.P. Court, music by Marius Ausello and Georges Truchi.
1957	Bon appétit... Carnaval ! (Bon appétit... Carnival!)	Lyrics by Jérôme Carlin, music by Marius Ausello.
1958	Carnaval, oh ! Hé !	Lyrics by J.F. Fabre, music by Tony Rainaud.
1959	Bim, bam, boum !	Lyrics by J.F. Fabre, Francis Gag, music by Tony Rainaud. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (17/06/2007).
1960
1961	Se vas à Nissa (If you are going to Nice)	Lyrics and music by Fred Raoux.

After 1961, the production of these Carnival songs doesn’t stops. Among these contemporary songs, it can be found for instance:

At the same time as was organized this annual contest by the recreation committee to select the official song, other songs were also qualified of “official”. For instance the ones selected by the manufacturers of carnival floats:

What about before 1903? Some Carnival songs are composed, for instance:

     • Cansoun carnavalesca (Carnival’s Song). Lyrics by Jules Bessi, 1888.
     • Nissa Carneval (Nice Carnival). Lyrics by Jules Bessi, music by Léon Pivet, 1889.

Legend (click icons, on the left side of tunes title, to access to corresponding files):
		“fife & drums” MIDI file (a)(b)(c).			“brass band” MIDI file (a)(b)(c).			“other instruments” MIDI file (a)(b)(c).
		score: PDF file (c).			lyrics.
Date (dd/mm/yyyy) is the one of the MIDI file. You may also download MIDI and scores files as a whole from the Download page. (a) Tunes will sound better if your computer is connected to a high-fidelity amplifier. (b) Without any further observation, arrangements and harmonizations by J.-G. M. (c) These files and their content are © 2001-2012 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi.

Some links...

Le carnaval de Nice sur le site Wikipedia.

© 2001-2012 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi
This page started on February 18th 2001. The last update was February 11th 2011.

The musical traditions from County of Nice:
Music introduction - Cross-over
Popular songs - Animal songs - Racy songs - Work songs - Political and social songs - Contemporary songs
Farandole - Round dances of May - Close couple dances - Characters dances - Circumstance tunes - Carnival tunes
Music for children - Sacred & religious music - Christmas carols - Chimes & knells

The Occitany: Limoux’ carnival tunes

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