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The musical traditions from County of Nice: Music introduction - Cross-over
Popular songs - Animal songs - Racy lovesongs - Work songs
Political, social and satirical songs - Contemporary songs
Carnival tunes - Circumstance tunes - Close couple dances - Characters dances - Farandole - Feasts - Round dances of May
Music for children
Chimes & knells - Sacred & religious music - Christmas carols from County of Nice - Sanctuaries
Brief survey of the traditional musics from the South of France: The Occitany - Limoux’ carnival tunes
The Piedmont - The Provence - Christmas carols from Provence
Other countries
| Legend (click icons, on the left side of tunes title, to access to corresponding files): | | |  | “fife & drums” MIDI file (a)(b). | |  | “brass band” MIDI file (a)(b). | |  | “other instruments” MIDI file (a)(b). | | |  | score: PDF file (a)(b). | |  | lyrics. | | | | | You may download MIDI and scores files as a whole from the Download page.
(a)Without any further observation, arrangements and harmonizations by J.-G. Maurandi.
(b) These files and their content are © 2001-2023 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
5. The other songs from carnival of Nice
6. Old carnival tunes before 1903
| 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. Maurandi.
 Adiu paure Carnaval (Farewell, poor Carnival). Version played during las fecos de Limous, the carnival of Limoux (Aude, France).
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. Maurandi.
Air d’Albanese (Albanese’s tune). Traditional from Auvergne.
Nouvé dai ciripicieu (Christmas carol of the ciripiciéu), carol from the County of Nice.
O soñjal en hon pec’hejoù (Thinking about ours sins). Traditional from Brittany.
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. Maurandi.
| Other Carnival traditional tunes |
These traditional tunes for Carnival were probably played by the vespa, an old town band.
La Barba (The Beard) or La Ceba (The Onion).
Carnaval es arrivat (Carnival is arrived).
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. Maurandi.
| Official songs from the Carnival of Nice |
| | | 
| | | The public notice announcing creation of the Reorganizer Committee. |
From 1903 up to 1961 (with two interruptions, from 1915 to 1920 during the First World War, and from 1940 à 1945 during the Second World War), the new Events Committee of the city of Nice has organized an annual contest to select the official Carnival song of the year. At first, this song was chosen in a competition limited to the lyric writers, then the composers entered competition and should embellish the prized text. These tunes were cheerful and stirring, with melodies easy to memorize, in major mode and on march form notated with two beats each bar – (2/4) binary or (6/8) ternary –, on a rondo structure (i.e. with alternation of verses and choruses) and allegro tempo.
The official Carnival song was a real link among the inhabitants of Nice. The street singers contributed to create a real festive atmosphere from Christmas, they interpreted the song in all the districts, and everybody knew it by heart, on corsi.
Here is the list of the award-winning official Carnival songs. Right at the beginning of the 20th century, most of the titles are exclamatory, as it was in use for operettas or variety shows titles.
| 1903 |
La Maire Ciacrin (Mother Ciacrin)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1904 |
Onour à Carneval (Honour to Carnival)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1905 |
E viva Carneval ! (Long Live Carnival!)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1906 |
Bouh, bouh ! Ouh, ouh !
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1907 |
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| 1908 |
Raù ! Taù ! Plaù ! Che rire ! (Crash! What a laugh!)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1909 |
Es Carneval (It’s Carnival)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1910 |
Chahut ! Chahut ! (Uproar! Uproar!)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1911 |
Aih. Aih. Aih. (Ow! Ow! Ow!)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1912 |
Patapoum !
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1913 |
Pif ! Paf !
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1914 |
Pin... Pan !
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, and André Leneka, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1921 |
Gnic ! Gnac !
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, and Antony Fenouille, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1922 |
Vèlou ! Vèlou ! (See him! See him!)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, and Antony Fenouille, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1923 |
Fai anà ! (Let do go on!)
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Lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, and Antony Fenouille, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1924 |
Nisskiri
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Lyrics by Émile Dernay, music by Charles Coda.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1925 |
Nice en folie (Nice gone mad)
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, music by A. Pyns.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1926 |
Fla ! Fla !
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1927 |
Coucou ! (Hello!)
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1928 |
Tralala ! (Ha, ha!)
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Lyrics by Théo Martin, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
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| 1929 |
Ah ! Ah !
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Lyrics by Charles de Richter, Jules Eynaudi, known as Juli Eynaudi, music by Hyacinthe Tarelli, known as Cinto Tarelli.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1930 |
Carnaval, y’a bon ! (Carnival in the black continent)
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Lyrics by Théo Martin, music by Mario Delvar.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1931 |
Pi... ouit !
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, music by P. Harold.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1932 |
Mistigri
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, music by Sander Hyams.
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| 1933 |
Fà-la ballà ! (Let she dance!)
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Lyrics by Jean Lémont, music by Mario Delvar.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1934 |
Ris ! Ris ! (Let you laugh!)
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, Pierre Porte, music by Jo Trave.
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| 1935 |
Vaga d’aquì ! Vaga d’aïa ! (Let’s wander around here! Let’s wander that way!)
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Lyrics by Dominique Jules Mari, music by A. de Pierlas.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1936 |
Faguès un sourire (Let do a smile)
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Lyrics by René Lecourt, music by Louis Raspini.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1937 |
Lu Milioun de Carneval (The Millions of Carnival)
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Lyrics by René Lecourt, Jouan Nicola, music by Louis Raspini.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1938 |
Sensa blaga (You’re kidding!)
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Lyrics by René Lecourt, Jane Bermond, music by Louis Raspini.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1939 |
Siguèn joyous ! (Let’s be merry!)
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Lyrics by René Lecourt, Jane Bermond, music by Louis Raspini.
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| 1946 |
Me revoilà ! (It’s me again!)
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Lyrics by Jouan Nicola, music by Jean Antiga and Bonacci.
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| 1947 |
Ah ! Ah ! Ah !
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Lyrics by Jean Riosecco, Francis Gag, music by Lucien Delrieu, Georges Roux.
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| 1948 |
Et zou !
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Lyrics by René Montrefet, Jérôme Carlin, music by René Montrefet.
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| 1949 |
Atomicus
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Lyrics by Théo Martin, music by A. Sanderson.
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| 1950 |
Carnaval (Carnival)
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Lyrics and music by Roger Lucchesi and Louis Unia.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1951 |
Oh ! La, la ! La Fontaine
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Lyrics by Camille Sauvage and Jean Levert, music by Jean Levert.
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| 1952 |
Flon, flon (Oompah)
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Lyrics by Jean-Fernand Fabre, Jouan Nicola, music by Tony Rainaud.
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| 1953 |
Carnaval circus (Carnival’s circus)
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Lyrics by Jérôme Carlin, music by Claude Noël.
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| 1954 |
Carneval toujou (Carnival always)
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Lyrics by A.P. Court, music by Marius Ausello.
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| 1955 |
Carneval a dich (Carnival said)
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Lyrics by A.P. Court, music by Marius Ausello and Georges Truchi.
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| 1956 |
Zon zon
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Lyrics by A.P. Court, Jouan Nicola, music by Marius Ausello and Georges Truchi.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1957 |
Bon appétit... Carnaval ! (Bon appétit... Carnival!)
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Lyrics by Jérôme Carlin, music by Marius Ausello.
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| 1958 |
Carnaval, oh ! Hé !
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Lyrics by Jean-Fernand Fabre, music by Tony Rainaud.
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| 1959 |
Bim, bam, boum ! (Bim, bang, boom!)
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Lyrics by Jean-Fernand Fabre, Francis Gag, music by Tony Rainaud.
Traditional from County of Nice, harmonization and MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1960 |
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| 1961 |
Se vas à Nissa (If you are going to Nice)
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Lyrics and music by Fred Raoux.
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After 1961, the production of these Carnival songs doesn’t stops. Among these contemporary songs, it can be found for instance:
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| (...) |
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| 1986 |
Rei dai vila dau mounde (King of the towns from the world)
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Lyrics and music by Gé Albarelli.
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| 1987 |
Rei de festa – Vai ! Vai ! Vai ! (King of Feast – Go! Go! Go!)
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Lyrics and music by Gé Albarelli.
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| 1988 |
Lou Rei vutanta vuech (The King 88)
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Lyrics and music by Gé Albarelli.
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| 1989 |
Au païs de l’amour (In the country of Love)
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Lyrics and music by Gé Albarelli.
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| 1990 |
Rei dòu rire (King of Laugh)
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Lyrics and music by Gé Albarelli.
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| 1991 |
Au bal dei fouòl de Carneval (At the Carnival’s jesters dance)
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Lyrics and music by Gé Albarelli.
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| (...) |
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| The other songs from carnival of Nice |
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:
| 1904 |
Carnaval niçois (Carnival from Nice)
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Lyrics by Fernand de Rocher, music by C. Lyon.
Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1947 |
À tu ! À iéu ! (Your turn! My turn!) song selected by the manufacturers of carnival floats
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Lyrics by Jacques Barjac, Jouan Nicola, music by François Mattei.
Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. Maurandi. |
| 1948 |
Youp ! Youp ! official song of the merry subject of His Majesty Carnival.
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Lyrics by Jean Riosecco, Francis Gag, music by Lucien Delrieu.
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What about before 1903? Some Carnival songs are composed, for instance:
1887 Cansoun nissarda (Song from Nice).
Lyrics by Jules Bessi.
Traditional from County of Nice.
1888 Cansoun carnavalesca (Carnival’s Song).
Lyrics by Jules Bessi.
1889 Nissa Carneval (Nice Carnival).
Lyrics by Jules Bessi, music by Léon Pivet.
sd Lou Rèi de la foulia (King of madness)
Lyrics by Sébastien-Marcel Biasini.
Some other songs about Carnival, sung not only during Carnival time, for instance:
Carneval, Carneval (Carnival, Carnival).
Nissart lyrics and music by Albert Tosan.
Carneval es mouòrt (Carnival is dead). A childlike round dance irreverent towards His Majesty Carnival!
Viva lo gobi ! (Long Live the “gobi”!)
Nissart lyrics and music by Louis Pastorelli.
Yes Bomb’Ai (Yes Bomb Ouch!).
Nissart lyrics by Jean-Pierre Baquié, music by Serge Pesce.
| Legend (click icons, on the left side of tunes title, to access to corresponding files): | | | | “fife & drums” MIDI file (a)(b). | | | “brass band” MIDI file (a)(b). | | | “other instruments” MIDI file (a)(b). | | | | score: PDF file (a)(b). | | | lyrics. | | | | | You may download MIDI and scores files as a whole from the Download page.
(a)Without any further observation, arrangements and harmonizations by J.-G. Maurandi.
(b) These files and their content are © 2001-2023 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi. |
© 2001-2023 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi.
The musical traditions from County of Nice: Music introduction - Cross-over
Popular songs - Animal songs - Racy lovesongs - Work songs
Political, social and satirical songs - Contemporary songs
Carnival tunes - Circumstance tunes - Close couple dances - Characters dances - Farandole - Feasts - Round dances of May
Music for children
Chimes & knells - Sacred & religious music - Christmas carols from County of Nice - Sanctuaries
Brief survey of the traditional musics from the South of France: The Occitany - Limoux’ carnival tunes
The Piedmont - The Provence - Christmas carols from Provence
Other countries
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