The son of a composer, with brothers and sisters who had successful careers of their own in musical entertainment, Jean Sablon studied piano at the Lyceé Charlemagne in Paris. He left before graduating to enroll at the Paris Conservatoire in order to concentrate on a vocal career. He started in the cabarets of Paris at the age of 17, and was subsequently accompanied on his first album by the pianist/composer Mireille, whose song Couchés dans le foin became a great success. Later, he partnered the wildly popular Mistinguett at the Casino de Paris and boosted his career considerably. He was the first cabaret singer to use a microphone in his stage act. In the 1920s he spent time in Brazil where his recordings remain extremely popular today.
In 1937 he won the Grand Prix du Disque for the song "Vous qui passez sans me voir," written for him by Charles Trenet and Johnny Hess. That same year, he went to the United States, where he sang on live radio broadcasts for CBS and made several records in the English language. On Broadway, he worked with luminaries such as Cole Porter and George Gershwin. He returned to Paris but with the German occupation of France in World War II, he went back to America for the duration.
Jean Sablon became one of the most widely acclaimed male French singers, considered second only in overall lifetime popularity to Maurice Chevalier. His records sold in the millions around the world and he is frequently referred to as the French equivalent of America's Bing Crosby. During his career, he recorded with some of the world's top musicians, including Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Sablon is credited with arranging Reinhardt's debut in a fashionable cabaret in 1933. He is also recognized for his talents as a lyricist and a composer. Sablon appeared in a number of motion pictures and television films performing as a vocalist or pianist, his last coming in 1984 when he sang "April in Paris" in Mistral's Daughter, the popular American TV miniseries filmed in France.
Jean Sablon died in 1994 and was interred in the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris.
Un Seul Couvert Please James
Jean Sablon Lyrics
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Le serviteur le plus précieux
Et le plus silencieux
Comme doit être un vrai serviteur
Et quand il voit l'ami de monsieur
Embrasser madame, il sait au mieux
Tousser très fort et fermer les yeux
Pendant qu'il dressait ainsi que chaque soir
Le couvert pour Monsieur et Madame
Monsieur revint seul, hésitant à s'asseoir
Et lui dit en retenant ses larmes
Un seul couvert please James
Madame ne rentrera pas
Ailleurs l'attend un repas
Chez un ami qu'elle aime
Un seul couvert please James
Fermez sa chambre adorée
Quittez cet air éploré
Comme je le fais moi-même
Lui c'était pourtant l'ami d'enfance
Il m'a volé mon amour
James laissez-moi seul dans le silence
Me souvenir des beaux jours
Je servirai moi-même
A quoi bon verser des pleurs
Non ne dérangez pas ses fleurs
Un seul couvert please James
Je servirai moi même
A quoi bon verser des pleurs
Non ne dérangez pas ses fleurs
Un seul couvert, please James
The lyrics of Jean Sablon's song "Un seul couvert" tell the story of James, a loyal and discreet servant, who witnesses the distress of his master when he realizes that his wife is having an affair with his childhood friend. The lyrics illustrate the pain and betrayal the husband feels as he asks James to set up only one place setting for dinner because his wife will not be coming home. The husband asks James to leave his wife's bedroom untouched as he recalls the happy times they shared. The lyrics express a romantic longing for the past, and the need to preserve what remains of good memories.
The lyrics of "Un seul couvert" are remarkable for their sensitivity, subtlety, and elegance. They convey a deep sense of loss and nostalgia in a few simple words, and the music adds to the emotion. The song is a masterful example of the chanson genre, and it has been covered by many artists over the years. The melody is a beautiful and haunting tune that encapsulates the melancholy feeling of the lyrics. The song has become an enduring classic of French chanson, a testament to the timeless quality of Sablon's music.
Line by Line Meaning
James depuis longtemps est pour monsieur
James has been Mr.'s most valuable and silent servant for a long time, just like a true servant should be.
Et le plus silencieux
And the most silent.
Comme doit être un vrai serviteur
As a true servant should be.
Et quand il voit l'ami de monsieur
And when he sees Mr.'s friend,
Embrasser madame, il sait au mieux
Kissing Mrs., he knows best
Tousser très fort et fermer les yeux
Cough very loudly and close his eyes.
Pendant qu'il dressait ainsi que chaque soir
While he set the table as he does every night,
Le couvert pour Monsieur et Madame
Place setting for Mr. and Mrs.
Monsieur revint seul, hésitant à s'asseoir
Mr. came back alone, hesitating to sit down
Et lui dit en retenant ses larmes
And said to him, holding back his tears
Un seul couvert please James
One place setting please, James
Madame ne rentrera pas
Mrs. won't be coming home.
Ailleurs l'attend un repas
She is going to have dinner elsewhere
Chez un ami qu'elle aime
With a friend she loves.
Fermez sa chambre adorée
Please close her beloved room
Quittez cet air éploré
Lose that downcast mood
Comme je le fais moi-même
Like I'm doing myself
Lui c'était pourtant l'ami d'enfance
Yet he was my childhood friend
Il m'a volé mon amour
He stole my love.
James laissez-moi seul dans le silence
James, leave me alone in silence.
Me souvenir des beaux jours
To remember the good days.
Je servirai moi-même
I will serve myself.
A quoi bon verser des pleurs
What's the use of shedding tears?
Non ne dérangez pas ses fleurs
No, don't disturb her flowers.
Un seul couvert please James
One place setting please, James
Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.