Al Bowlly, Ray Noble Orchestra - The Prisoner's Song (1930)

[Sheumais1]

Lekker! Pragtig! The extent of my Afrikaans. Al was great. Listen to 'Die einsamm weg. (The Lonesome Road) it's lovely too.

[hellenicNS]

Whites in South Africa originate from England?

[LornaduPreez]

I am originally from South Africa and you are correct - this is Afrikaans. I got such a thrill from hearing this. Have always loved Al Bowlly - first time I have heard him sing in Afrikaans. Thanks for posting.

Those of you who share your music and comments with us truly enrich us with memories.

[stevedexteruk]

I think this is Africaans and the following lyrics are the English version. I had to post it in two due to the youtube word limit. Please correct me if i am wrong. Thanks for posting edmundsrex - its a lovely tune

[stevedexteruk]

Part one

Oh, I wish I had someone to love me,

Someone to call me their own.

Oh, I wish I had someone to live with

'Cause I'm tired of livin' alone.

Oh, please meet me tonight in the moonlight,

Please meet me tonight all alone,

For I have a sad story to tell you,

It's a story that's never been told.

[stevedexteruk]

part two I'll be carried to the new jail tomorrow, Leaving my poor darling alone, With the cold prison bars all around me And my head on a pillow of stone. Now I have a grand ship on the ocean, All mounted with silver and gold, And before my poor darlin' would suffer, Oh, that ship would be anchored and sold. Now if I had the wings of an angel Over these prison walls I would fly, And I'd fly to the arms of my poor darlin', And there I'd be willing to die.

[hoteldennis]

Please tell me what language Al is singing on this record. Does anyone know?

[edmundusrex]

On my channel you can find a song from Al Bowlly, called "Die Eensaam Weg". This song is he sung in Africaans. I think ist's the same language.

[discott75]

Al was killed in 1941 when the door from his apt. blew off and hit him in the head while lying in his bed during a raid by Hitler. Snakehips was killed a few weeks earlier in that cafe.

[Bigband78]

Very good,Edmund.I knew Al was killed in the London blitz,but didn't know how.

[candw87]

AL was killed in 1940 singing with Snakehips Johnson's Orchestra when ( I f I remember ) the Cafe de Paris was bombed

[mcm24723]

thank you for this post!

[417j]

okay cool