Born Constantino Rossi in Ajaccio, Corsica, France, he became a tenor of French cabaret and one of the great romantic idols of his time. Gifted with an operatic voice, a "Latin Lover" persona made him a movie star as well. Over his career, Rossi made hundreds of records and appeared in more than 25 films, the most notable of which was the 1953 production, Si Versailles m'était conté directed by Sacha Guitry. His romantic ballads had women swooning and his art-songs by Jules Massenet (1842-1912), Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947), and other composers helped draw sold out audiences wherever he performed.
As a young man, he played guitar and sang at a variety of small venues in his hometown of Ajaccio before going on to perform in Marseilles and at resort clubs along the French Riviera. In the early 1930s he went to Paris and within a few years achieved enormous success, joining a Columbia Records roster that included the biggest stars of the day such as Lucienne Boyer, Damia, Pills et Tabet, Mireille, and Jean Sablon.
Rossi's success was greatly aided by songwriter Vincent Scotto (1876-1952), who wrote his first hits and collaborated with him for many years, composing and arranging many Rossi songs. Prior to World War II. Rossi was a major box office attraction in the French speaking world but expanded his audience to America with a 1938 visit followed up by wartime tours across the USA and Canada. In 1946, his song "Petit Papa Noël" sold more than thirty million copies worldwide. A Christmas classic for the family, the song still sells by the thousands each Yuletide season. The recipient of many musical awards, including the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque, Tino Rossi is the most popular personality to ever come from Corsica other than Napoleon Bonaparte.
In 1947 he married Lilia Vetti, a young dancer he met while making a film. They would have a son together in a marriage that lasted for a lifetime. A star of film and the operetta scene, Tino Rossi's career also evolved into the television era, appearing in a number of popular variety shows. Age, and the advent of rock and roll in the 1960s saw him take backstage with the new generation of music lovers but he remained enormously popular with a following built up over fifty years of performing.
In 1982, for his contribution to France and its culture, President François Mitterrand named Tino Rossi a Commander of the Legion of Honor. That same year Rossi gave his last public performance at the Casino de Paris, a show that popular demand turned into a three month stint.
Tino Rossi died of pancreatic cancer in 1983 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. His body returned to his native Ajaccio for burial in the family plot at the local cemetery. His hometown named a street and the sailing harbor in his honor and at Nogent-sur-Marne, on the River Marne in Paris, there is a square named Tino Rossi Square.
Mon Beau Sapin
Tino Rossi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que j'aime ta verdure
Quand par l'hiver, bois et guérets
Sont dépouillés, de leurs attraits
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts
Tu gardes ta parure
Toi que Noël, planta chez nousAu saint anniversaire
Joli sapin, comme ils sont doux
Et tes bonbons, et tes joujoux
Toi que Noël, planta chez nous
Tout brillant de lumière
Mon beau sapin, tes verts sommets
Et leur fidèle ombrage
De la foi qui ne ment jamais
De la constance et de la paix
Mon beau sapin, tes verts sommets
M'offrent la douce image
The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Mon Beau Sapin" celebrate the beauty and symbolism of the Christmas tree. The song starts by praising the majestic appearance of the tree, referring to it as the king of the forest. The singer expresses their love for the tree's greenery, especially during the winter when the woods and pastures are stripped of their allure. Despite the season's harshness, the Christmas tree remains adorned with its foliage, symbolizing resilience and beauty.
The second verse highlights the significance of the Christmas tree in the celebration of the holiday. It mentions how Christmas planted the tree in their home during the holy anniversary, referring to the tradition of decorating a tree during Christmas time. The singer comments on the sweetness of the tree's candies and toys, evoking the joy and excitement associated with the holiday season.
The final verse explores the symbolic meaning of the Christmas tree. It describes the tree's green summits and its faithful shade, representing qualities such as unwavering faith, constancy, and peace. The beautiful image of the tree's green foliage brings comfort and tranquility to the singer.
Overall, "Mon Beau Sapin" pays homage to the Christmas tree, emphasizing its beauty, resilience, and spiritual significance during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts
Oh, beautiful fir tree, king of the forests
Que j'aime ta verdure
How I love your greenery
Quand par l'hiver, bois et guérets
When through the winter, woods and fields
Sont dépouillés, de leurs attraits
Are stripped of their beauty
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts
Oh, beautiful fir tree, king of the forests
Tu gardes ta parure
You keep your adornment
Toi que Noël, planta chez nous
You, whom Christmas planted within us
Au saint anniversaire
On the holy anniversary
Joli sapin, comme ils sont doux
Lovely fir tree, how sweet they are
Et tes bonbons, et tes joujoux
And your candies, and your toys
Toi que Noël, planta chez nous
You, whom Christmas planted within us
Tout brillant de lumière
All shining with light
Mon beau sapin, tes verts sommets
Oh, beautiful fir tree, your green tops
Et leur fidèle ombrage
And their faithful shade
De la foi qui ne ment jamais
Of the faith that never lies
De la constance et de la paix
Of constancy and peace
Mon beau sapin, tes verts sommets
Oh, beautiful fir tree, your green tops
M'offrent la douce image
Offer me the sweet image
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Histoire et Chansons, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Ernst Anschutz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind