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 © 2001-2013 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi.

The traditional songs displayed on this page have been –for the most part of them– composed and published in XIXth or early XXth century. Some songs created after 1960 ⁽¹⁾ are presented on the page Contemporary songs.

(1) This year corresponds to the publishing by Georges Delrieu of his Anthologie de la chanson niçoise.

The traditional songs which sing the city of Nice...

Nissa la bella (Nice the Fair). Composed by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly, the author and Nissart poet, this song has become along the years the anthem of the city of Nice and its County. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/03/2001).
Niça rebèla (Nice rebel). Anti-authority parody of Nissa la bella (Nice the Fair), by Jean-Noël Varo, known as Jan Calenas, which is “a scream against stupidity, intolerance, racism, humiliation, a yell from the occitan culture and, by the fact, from all other dominated cultures”. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (3/11/2006).
La Miéu Bella Nissa (My fair Nice). The nostalgia of a small farmer from Nice, far away from home, left to win his stripes on the Lombard battlefields during the Piedmontese Risorgimento and wars for Italy unity. Nissart lyrics by Eugène Emanuel, music according to D.F.E. Auber, Le Cheval de bronze (The Bronze Horse). Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (09/08/2002).
La Nissarda (The Song from Nice). Composed in 1860, on the occasion of the second annexation of the County of Nice to the France, this song proposes a very francophile view. Nissart lyrics and music by Émile Negrin. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (9/03/2007).

... and the other villages, neighbourhoods, localities...

À Utel’ ia trenta filha (In the village of Utelle, there are thirty girls). Traditional song from Utelle, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (17/07/2003).
Li Baumeta (The Baumettes). Everyday life in this district of Nice. Nissart lyrics by Martin-Saytour. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (26/07/2005).
Calant de Vilafranca (Going down from Villefranche). Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (23/05/2003).
Cansoun de Levèn (Song for Levens city). Traditional song from Levens, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (1/06/2003).
Renaissance de Roquebillière (Rebirth of Roquebillière). On november 24th 1926, a landslide destroys a great part of the Roquebillière village, claiming 19 casualties, never extricated. Dedicated to the departmental councillor Philippe Corniglion-Molinier, and written at the time of the new village rebuilding, this text pays homage to the fit of national solidarity. Lyrics and music by Célestin Débos. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (15/01/2012).

The traditional songs which have an anthem value...

Coupo santo (Holy cup). Music according to Nicolas Saboly, Guihaume, Tòni, Pèire. Traditional from Provence, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (03/06/2003).
Se canto (If it sings). Traditional from Occitany, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (03/06/2003).

The traditional songs presenting the domestic or wild animals and their wedding have their own page.

The shepherdesses, and more generally all the young girls are given a prime place choice in traditional songs from the County of Nice.

The feast of the cougourdoun (“the small gourds”) was held at Cimiez hill, on March 25st, where it gathered together the whole youth of the town of Nice.

Lu Cougourdoun (The Small Gourds). Nissart lyrics by Jouan Nicola, music by Marius Ausello. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/08/2004).
Lu Cougourdoun (The Small Gourds). Yet another song... Nissart lyrics and music by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/08/2004).
En calan de Cimiès (Going down from Cimiez hill). Nissart lyrics by Jouan Nicola. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/08/2004).
Lo Festin dei cogordons (The feast of the Small Gourds). Nissart lyrics by Jean-Pierre Baquié, music by Serge Pesce.
Lou Festin dei cougourdoun (The feast of the Small Gourds). Nissart lyrics by Jorgi Tasso, music by Maurice Adolphe Caruba.

La Midineta vola (The Dressmaker's Apprentice Flies). Nissart lyrics by François-Dominique Rondelly, known as Menica Rondelly. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/01/2010).

The other feasts in the County: “of the alders” in Ste. Marguerite district, and in the other districts and villages.

Cansoun dòu festin d’Utella (Song of Utelle’s feast). A fine song is asked for this feast... Traditional song from Utelle, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (17/07/2003).
Lou Festin dai magou (The Feast of the sorcerers). Nissart lyrics and music by Georges Delrieu. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (6/11/2005).
Lou Festin dai rangou (The Feast of the lame men). Nissart lyrics and music by Louis Genari. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (11/11/2005).
Lou Festin dei verna (The Feast of the alders). Nissart lyrics by François Guisol. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (23/06/2004).

The parish fêtes, and the patronal fairs of guilds and brotherhoods.

La San-Peire (St. Peter Day). An evocation of the Fishermen Day, as they are placed in St. Peter care. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (26/01/2011).

May, the month of love, inspired numerous rounds sung and danced around the May-tree.

Ailà n’aquèu jardin (Over there in this garden). Spring revival, invitation to celebrate the month of May. Traditional song from la Tour-sur-Tinée, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (31/05/2003).
Bèu mès de mai aimable (Beautiful and amiable month of May). Rejoicing on winter ending. Traditional song from Saint-Martin-Vésubie, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (10/06/2002).
Lou mès de mai (The month of May). If this month is the one of love affairs, unfortunate ones happen sometimes... Traditional song from Saint-Dalmas-de-Valdeblore, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (2/07/2003).
Vaqui lo polit mès de mai (Here is the pretty month of May). “Plant the May-tree” is not always sufficient to seduce the belle... Traditional from Occitany, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (22/06/2003).

... and at the beginning of May was elected, for one year, the queen of May.

La Regina dòu mai (The Queen of May). Destined to Francis, she must be a paragon of virtue... Nissart lyrics by Juli Eynaudi, music by Cinto Tarelli. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (23/01/2011).

The traditional feed.

À San-Jouan (At Saint-Jean). A fishing party, on the coast of Saint-Jean. Nissart lyrics by Joseph Giordan. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M.
Li Bigneta (The Fritters). Apple or courgette-flowers fritters, glazed and sugared, they make the palate glad... Nissart lyrics and music by Louis Genari. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (28/05/2003).
La Blea (The Swiss Chard). Nissart lyrics by François Barberis. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (24/03/2012).
Li Castagna (The Chestnuts). Nissart lyrics and music by Georges Delrieu. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (14/02/2012).
La Pesca (The Fishing). Nissart lyrics by Eugène Emanuel. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (29/02/2012).

The real or virtual celebrities...

Doun Soulina (Priest Soulina). Nissart lyrics and music by Louis Genari. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (13/05/2003).
Lo Fantome Pellegrin (The ghost Pellégrin). Pellégrin is an object of dread in the mountains... Nissart lyrics by Eugène Emanuel. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (27/08/2003).
Innou Seguran (Anthem for the Seguran). The bugadiera (laundress) Catherine Ségurane, an heroine of the siege to the city of Nice in 1543, and some other celebrities appear in this nostalgic “place of memory”. Nissart lyrics by docteur Menu, music by C. Germano. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (28/11/2005).

And some other topics...

Bella santa fourtuna (Fine and holy fortune). The honeymoon ends at L’Eau fraîche (The Cool Water) pub. Traditional song from Thierry, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (31/05/2003).
Cansoun dei mensònegai (Song of the lies). The topic of intentional lies is known in a large area, from Occitany to Piedmont. Traditional song from Peille and the Paillon river valley, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (18/07/2003).
Li Esclops (The Wooden Clogs). Traditional from Provence, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (1/06/2003).
Lou Gibous (The Hunchback). Wretched by having lost his hunch, a hunchback gets it back thanks to a little glue... Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/05/2003).
Jan pilhe sa pousseta (John takes his wheelbarrow). While John is going to mow the meadow, his wife... Traditional song from Le Moulinet, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (2/06/2003).
La Margarideta (The Daisy). “Merry Gathering of Country Folk”, “Thunderstorm”, “...after the Storm”... A “pastoral” topic yet composed in F major! Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (25/08/2004).
Masurca souto li pins (Mazurka under the pine trees). A popular village fête in Escanin's mas. Ferdinand Bain, Provence, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (22/05/2002).
O jouventura dòu cantoun (O! youth from the district). Drunkards song. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (22/08/2003).
Lou Pichin Ome (The Small Man). Small men where often the target of jeerings... This tune presents musical analogies with the farandole Carnaval es arrivat and with the counting rhyme Tanta Jana. Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (8/07/2004).
Lou Pous (The Well). Traditional from County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (24/06/2004).
La Sirigauda (The Shivery). During winter, it warms up even the parish priest... Georges Delrieu, County of Nice, MIDI scheduling by J.-G. M. (20/02/2012).

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 © 2001-2013 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi.

© 2001-2013 Jean-Gabriel Maurandi
This page started on February 18th 2001. The last update was September 17th 2012.

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