I have an old tape recording made by my father of the British bass-baritone Ian Wallace singing this [with a tenor also] on a BBC TV programme sometime in the 1960s. Before I was born. It is fabulous and this video brought it back to mind. But this is set much higher. Also, my recording has them singing "beau gendarmes", not "bold" unless it was poor diction. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for your comment. I've never actually seen music with beau as opposed to bold and I have seen a few editions but I know many people know the song as beau (or beaux) gendarmes. It is a translation from the original french (Jacques Offenbach's comic opera "Geneviève de Brabant") so it is up to the translator I guess.
I agree it is in an unusual key. I can`t sing along comfortably with it. It is usually done in D or therabouts. This seems more like G to me. Suits their voices though.
This is the key for tenor and baritone. The one for two baritones (or baritone & bass baritone) is also popular. In this key the baritone (actually that is me) can sing the second verse down the octave.
methos747...you are absolutely correct. I'm now regretting ever searching for this song on YT. I'll bet the French get a good laugh whenever they see us proud U.S. Marines standing tall to this melody. It would be like seeing the forces from another country marching to the tune of "Here comes Santa Claus". Please Archibald Henderson....say it isn't so!!
It is French, so not "Up to the translator". Beau means beautiful, the plural is beaux.
Jaques Offenbach wrote Les beaux gendarmes", so there it is.
mtllilac 9 months ago
I still listen to this after discovering it a couple of years ago - and I still love it.
I have a music friend who visits me intermittently, and when this happens we always play this a number of times. It never fades.
You are not afraid of it. It is fun and very skillfully done.
I absolutely love it.
tintoid 1 year ago
I have an old tape recording made by my father of the British bass-baritone Ian Wallace singing this [with a tenor also] on a BBC TV programme sometime in the 1960s. Before I was born. It is fabulous and this video brought it back to mind. But this is set much higher. Also, my recording has them singing "beau gendarmes", not "bold" unless it was poor diction. Thanks for the memories.
Babsie1975 2 years ago
Thanks for your comment. I've never actually seen music with beau as opposed to bold and I have seen a few editions but I know many people know the song as beau (or beaux) gendarmes. It is a translation from the original french (Jacques Offenbach's comic opera "Geneviève de Brabant") so it is up to the translator I guess.
mtaose 2 years ago
@mtaose
Funny that these days most people recognise the song as the US Marine Hymn !
tarantellaonline 1 year ago
Brilliant! Doing this duet for GCSE music.
riddersjc 3 years ago
AHHH!!! Too high!!!
michaelwalsh1234 4 years ago
I agree it is in an unusual key. I can`t sing along comfortably with it. It is usually done in D or therabouts. This seems more like G to me. Suits their voices though.
I agree about the key, but it is still fun.
tintoid 4 years ago
This is the key for tenor and baritone. The one for two baritones (or baritone & bass baritone) is also popular. In this key the baritone (actually that is me) can sing the second verse down the octave.
mtaose 2 years ago
Would the lower key version be more Bass and Baritone rather than Bass-Baritone and Baritone?
michaelwalsh1234 2 years ago
Yes, your probably right. I always find the categories a bit hazy at the edges.
mtaose 2 years ago
Oh and by the way, brilliant work!
michaelwalsh1234 2 years ago
Thank you very much
mtaose 2 years ago
AHHH!!! Too high!!!
michaelwalsh1234 4 years ago
I used to sing this duet with my father! A nice version which brings back fond memories. Thanks for posting it.
higginbottomd 4 years ago
This is indeed a splendid performance.
The Gendarmes Duet is often performed too slowly, seriously and the result is dull.
This is a wonderful spirited, humourous performance. Excellent.
tintoid 4 years ago
This is a splendid version. They have truly captured the spirit of it.
tintoid 4 years ago
Written by Jacques Offenbach for his operetta
"Genevieve de Brabant" in 1859.
I don`t know who adapted it for use by the American Marines, but I believe they got the copyright about 1919.
tintoid 4 years ago
after listening to those lyrics, I'm afraid I won't be able to ever look at any Marine with a straight face anymore.^^
BismarcksOtto 4 years ago
lmao :D
thomasabmarchelak 3 years ago
you think thats bad lol try being a marine and listening to this!!! lol im embarrased now
methos747 2 years ago
methos747...you are absolutely correct. I'm now regretting ever searching for this song on YT. I'll bet the French get a good laugh whenever they see us proud U.S. Marines standing tall to this melody. It would be like seeing the forces from another country marching to the tune of "Here comes Santa Claus". Please Archibald Henderson....say it isn't so!!
DeeJayRoyalT 2 years ago
So this is where the Marines' Hymn comes from?! Awesome, thanks for Posting!
BismarcksOtto 4 years ago