Despite the numerous biographies, many facts and events of Édith's life are shrouded in mystery. She was born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Belleville, Paris, France, the high-immigration district later described by Daniel Pennac. Legend has it that she was born on the pavement of Rue de Belleville 72 but according to her birth certificate that was at Hôpital Tenon, the Belleville arrondissement hospital. She was named Édith after the executed British nurse Edith Cavell (Piaf —Parisian jargon for "sparrow"— came from a nickname she would receive twenty years later).
Her mother, Annetta Giovanna Maillard (1898 – 1945), was a partly-Italian 17-year-old girl, native of Livorno, working as a café singer under the pseudonym Line Marsa; from her, Édith took the middle name of Giovanna. Her father, Louis-Alphonse Gassion (1881 – 1944), was a street acrobat with a theatrical past. The little Édith was soon abandoned and left for a short time to her maternal grandmother, Mena (probably a Kabyle). Shortly after, Édith's father brought the child to his mother, who ran a brothel in Normandy, and then joined the French Army (1916). Thus Édith was in contact with the prostitutes and the various attenders of the brothel since her early years, a circumstance which must have had a deep impact on her personality and vision of life.
From the age of three to seven she was blind. As part of Piaf's legend, she allegedly recovered her sight after her grandmother's prostitutes went on a pilgrimage to Saint Thérèse de Lisieux. In 1929 she joined her father in his acrobatic street performances. Then took a room at Grand Hôtel de Clermont (18 rue Veron, Paris 18ème) and separated from him, going her own way as a street singer in Pigalle, Ménilmontant and Paris suburbs (cf. the song "Elle fréquentait la Rue Pigalle"). She was about 16 years of age when she fell in love with a delivery-boy, Louis Dupont, and shortly after had a child, a little girl named Marcelle. Sadly, Marcelle died in infancy of meningitis.
In 1935, Édith was discovered in the Pigalle area of Paris by the nightclub owner Louis Leplée, whose club was frequented by the upper and lower classes alike. He persuaded her to sing despite her extreme nervousness, which, combined with her height of only 4' 8" (142 cm) inspired him to give her the nickname that would stay with her for the rest of her life and become her stage name: La Môme Piaf (The Little Sparrow). Her first record was produced in the same year. Shortly afterwards, Leplée was murdered and Piaf was accused of being an accessory; she was acquitted.
In 1940, Jean Cocteau wrote the successful play Le Bel Indifférent for her to star in. She began to make friends with famous people, such as the actor Maurice Chevalier and the poet Jacques Borgeat. She wrote the lyrics of many of her songs, and collaborated with composers on the tunes.
Her signature song, "La vie en rose" (which was voted a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1998) was written in the middle of the German occupation of Paris in World War II. During this time, she was in great demand and very successful. She befriended many high-ranking Germans and sang for them. It is said that she collaborated with the Nazis, too. After the war, she toured Europe, the United States, and South America, becoming an internationally known figure. Her popularity in the U.S. was such that she appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show eight times. She helped to launch the career of Charles Aznavour, taking him on tour with her in France and the United States.
The great love of Piaf's life, the boxer Marcel Cerdan, died in 1949. Piaf was married twice. Her first husband was Jacques Pills, a singer; they married in 1952 and divorced in 1956. Her second husband, Theophanis Lamboukas (also known as Théo Sarapo), was a hairdresser-turned-singer and actor, and was twenty years younger than Piaf; they married in 1962.
In 1951 she was in a car accident, and thereafter had difficulty breaking a serious morphine habit.
The Paris Olympia is the place where Piaf achieved fame and where, just a few months before her death, she gave one of her most memorable concerts while barely able to stand. In early 1963, Piaf recorded her last song, "L'homme de Berlin".
At the early age of 47, Piaf died of cancer in Plascassier, on the French riviera, on October 10, 1963. Her friend Jean Cocteau, very shocked and afflicted by her death, died a few hours later. Her body was returned to Paris where her death was only announced on October 11, the official date of her death. She was buried in Père Lachaise cemetery, Paris. Although she was forbidden a Mass by the Roman Catholic archbishop of Paris (because of her lifestyle), her funeral procession drew hundreds of thousands of mourners onto the streets of Paris and the ceremony at the cemetery was jammed with more than forty thousand fans. Charles Aznavour recalled that Piaf's funeral procession was the only time, since the end of World War II, that Parisian traffic came to a complete stop.
There is a museum dedicated to Piaf, the Musée Édith Piaf at 5, rue Crespin du Gast, 75011, Paris.
Today she is still remembered and revered as one of the greatest singers France has ever produced. Her life was one of sharp contrasts: the range of her fame as opposed to her tragic personal life, and her fragile small figure on stage with the resounding power of her voice.
The Three Bells
Édith Piaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Among the pine trees half forlorn,
And there on a sunny morning
Little Jimmy Brown was born;
So his parents brought him to the chapel,
When he was only one day old,
And the priest blessed the little fellow,
"Welcome, Jimmy to the fold".
REFRAIN:
All the chapel bells were ringing
In the little valley town,
And the song that they were singing,
Was for baby Jimmy Brown.
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation,
Bless this hour of meditation,
Guide him with eternal love.
There's a village hidden deep in the valley,
Beneath the mountains high above,
And there, twenty years thereafter,
Jimmy was to meet his love.
Many friends were gathered in the chapel,
And many tears of joy were shed,
In June on a Sunday morning,
When Jimmy and his bride were wed:
REFRAIN:
All the chapel bells were ringing,
't was a great day in his life,
'Cause the song that they were singing
was for Jimmy and his wife.
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation,
Bless, Oh Lord, this celebration,
May their lives be filled with love.
From the village hidden deep in the valley,
One rainy morning dark and grey,
A soul winged its way to heaven,
jimmy Brown had passed away.
Silent people gathered in the chapel,
To say farewell to their old friend,
Whose life had been like a flower,
Budding blooming till the end.
REFRAIN:
Just a lonely bell was ringing
In the little valley town,
'Twas farewell that it was singing
To our good old Jimmy Brown.
And the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation,
May his soul find the Salvation
Of Thy great eternal love.
"The Three Bells" tells the story of Jimmy Brown's life from birth to death, intertwined with the significance of the chapel bells that rang throughout key moments in his journey. The lyrics evoke a sense of a close-knit community centered around the village chapel, where important events and prayers take place.
In the first stanza, we learn about Jimmy Brown's birth and his family's visit to the chapel to receive the priest's blessings. The chapel bells ring, symbolizing the joy and celebration of his arrival into the world. The congregation prays for guidance and protection for little Jimmy as he embarks on his life journey.
The second stanza fast-forwards twenty years, where Jimmy is about to get married. The chapel once again becomes the gathering place, filled with friends and loved ones. The bells ring to commemorate the special occasion, singing the song of love and unity for Jimmy and his bride. The congregation prays for their happiness and asks for divine guidance in their lives.
The final stanza takes a somber turn, as it reveals Jimmy's passing. People gather in the chapel to bid farewell to their dear friend. The melancholic sound of a single bell tolling signifies a farewell to Jimmy as he ascends to heaven. The congregation prays for his soul's salvation, acknowledging the fragility and transience of life and seeking eternal love and guidance.
Overall, "The Three Bells" portrays the cycle of life - from birth, to love and marriage, to death - all within the context of a tight-knit community united by their shared faith.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a village hidden deep in the valley
In a secluded and secluded valley lies a small village
Among the pine trees half forlorn
Surrounded by melancholic pine trees
And there on a sunny morning
On a bright and cheerful morning
Little Jimmy Brown was born
A baby named Jimmy Brown came into the world
So his parents brought him to the chapel
His parents took him to the chapel
When he was only one day old
When he was just a day old
And the priest blessed the little fellow
The priest bestowed his blessings upon the newborn
"Welcome, Jimmy to the fold"
"Welcome, Jimmy, to our community"
All the chapel bells were ringing
The joyful sound of the chapel bells filled the air
In the little valley town
Within the small town nestled in the valley
And the song that they were singing
"The Three Bells" was the song being sung
Was for baby Jimmy Brown
It was dedicated to the newborn Jimmy Brown
Then the little congregation
The small group of worshippers
Prayed for guidance from above
They sought divine guidance and protection
"Lead us not into temptation
"Guide us away from temptation
Bless this hour of meditation
Bless this moment of reflection
Guide him with eternal love"
Guide him with everlasting love"
There's a village hidden deep in the valley
Again, referencing the secluded village
Beneath the mountains high above
Located beneath towering mountains
And there, twenty years thereafter
And there, twenty years later
Jimmy was to meet his love
Jimmy was destined to meet his soulmate
Many friends were gathered in the chapel
Numerous friends were assembled in the chapel
And many tears of joy were shed
Tears of happiness flowed freely
In June on a Sunday morning
On a Sunday morning in the month of June
When Jimmy and his bride were wed
When Jimmy and his bride were joined in marriage
All the chapel bells were ringing
Once again, the chapel bells rang
't was a great day in his life
It was a truly momentous day in his life
'Cause the song that they were singing
Because the song being sung
Was for Jimmy and his wife
Was dedicated to Jimmy and his wife
Then the little congregation
Once more, the small congregation
Prayed for guidance from above
They solicited divine guidance
"Lead us not into temptation
"Protect us from temptation
Bless, Oh Lord, this celebration
Bless this joyful occasion, Oh Lord
May their lives be filled with love"
May their lives be brimming with love"
From the village hidden deep in the valley
Once again, referencing the secluded village
One rainy morning dark and grey
On a gloomy, rainy morning
A soul winged its way to heaven
A soul ascended to heaven
Jimmy Brown had passed away
Jimmy Brown had departed from this world
Silent people gathered in the chapel
Quiet individuals assembled in the chapel
To say farewell to their old friend
To bid their old friend goodbye
Whose life had been like a flower
Whose life had blossomed like a flower
Budding blooming till the end
Flourishing and blossoming till the very end
Just a lonely bell was ringing
Only a solitary bell tolled
In the little valley town
Within the small town nestled in the valley
'Twas farewell that it was singing
It was bidding farewell through its tolling
To our good old Jimmy Brown
To our beloved old friend Jimmy Brown
And the little congregation
Once more, the small congregation
Prayed for guidance from above
They offered prayers for divine guidance
"Lead us not into temptation
"Safeguard us from temptation
May his soul find the Salvation
May his soul find eternal salvation
Of Thy great eternal love"
Through Your immense everlasting love"
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, LES NOUVELLES EDITIONS MERIDIAN
Written by: BERT REISFELD, JEAN VILLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
WestMaroon
In an interview on YouTube Joni Mitchell talks about how as a child she fell in love with this song. Her family couldn't afford the recording but she would visit a music store across from her Father's business, duck into a listening booth, and soak it up.
VealParmigiana
The French version is better in part because of the harmony, and the arrangement was better. Edith's vocals are outstanding in both her English and French versions of this song.
thefabulousthomasj
I will always love The Browns version, but this is just absolutely stunning!!! Thank you for sharing this and God rest Edith Piaf!
Lily thepink
I like her French version better, but I have it also by the "Singing Kettles" ..I have all Edith's albums..and English is not her first language..the beauty of her voice shines through x♥
David Walsh
My very favourite version. Piaf was one of those very special singers. She will be remembered as one of the greatest performers of all time.
Ronald Smith
What a loss ,Edith Piaf one of the best artists to come out of France
Jim Thep
Edith Piaf first sang this song in 1948 in her native language. Please do not say that The Browns cover version is the original.
Kat Toneycliffe
I was surprised to learn that it was, indeed, EP that did it first!!
jillybean2765
Saw Jim Ed on Nashville now. He said he heard this song on the Ed Sullivan show in 1949. Requested his high school choir teacher get the sheet music. The choir ended up performing the song. This was the first hit the Browns had after Jim Ed was released out of service. He gave full credit to the French performers.
Mister Grandpa's Bakery
Yep! Jim Ed Brown likely heard that song when he was in the Army.