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 seul ami
Tino Rossi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Un joli pays un petit village
On chante le soir tous à la veillée
Refrain :
Va mon ami va la lune se lève
Va mon ami va la lune s'en va
Va mon ami va la lune se lèveVa mon ami va la lune s'en va
On chante le soir tous à la veillée
Pour donner espoir à la fiancée
Son promis est loin si grande est la ville
Refrain
Il ramènera de la grande ville
Avec tous ses gains des choses utiles
Et la bague d'or et la robe blanche
Refrain
Et la bague d'or et la robe blanche
S'il y pense encor dans sa longue absence
Et n'offre son coeur à quelqu'autre fille
Refrain
The lyrics of Tino Rossi's song "Mon seul ami" depict a nostalgic tale from another era, set in a beautiful country with a small village where the community gathers in the evening for a traditional gathering. The imagery of a simpler time and the sense of unity and shared experiences during the evening gatherings are highlighted in these lines. The setting creates a sense of warmth and connection to tradition, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community.
The refrain in the song reflects a bittersweet sentiment, urging the singer's friend to seize the moment as the moon rises and sets. There is a sense of urgency and impermanence implied in the repeated urging to take action, perhaps hinting at the passage of time and the need to make the most of the present before it slips away. The moon's symbolism adds a mystical and poetic layer to the lyrics, enhancing the emotional depth of the song.
The narrative then shifts to focus on the singer's fiancée, who is left waiting for her betrothed to return from the bustling city. The contrast between the simplicity of the village and the bustling urban life is highlighted, emphasizing the distance and longing between the lovers. The evening gatherings serve as a source of hope and solace for the fiancée, a reminder of the love and commitment that binds her to her absent partner.
The song concludes with a poignant reflection on the promises and gifts the singer will bring back from the city, including a gold ring and a white dress for his beloved. The repetition of these items underscores their symbolic significance as tokens of love and commitment. The fear of the singer forgetting his vows and offering his heart to another woman during his absence adds a touch of tension and uncertainty to the narrative, highlighting the fragility of love and trust in the face of distance and time. The refrain serves as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the ever-changing nature of life, urging the singer to act before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Voici le récit qui vient d'un autre âge
This is a tale from a bygone era, a narrative steeped in nostalgia.
Un joli pays un petit village
A charming land encompassed by a quaint little village, a symbol of simplicity and serenity.
On chante le soir tous à la veillée
In the evening, a collective chorus arises as everyone gathers to share stories and songs.
Va mon ami va la lune se lève
Go, my friend, as the moon ascends in the sky, a beacon of hope lighting your path.
Va mon ami va la lune s'en va
Go, my friend, for the moon is setting, urging the passage of time and change.
Va mon ami va la lune se lève
Go, my friend, as the moon rises once more, symbolizing renewal and possibilities ahead.
Va mon ami va la lune s'en va
Go, my friend, as the moon bids farewell, reminding us of the transient nature of moments.
On chante le soir tous à la veillée
As night falls, we unite in song during our evening gathering, reinforcing communal ties.
Pour donner espoir à la fiancée
We sing to instill hope in the bride-to-be, supporting her through an uncertain wait.
Son promis est loin si grande est la ville
Her betrothed is far away, lost in the expanse of a sprawling city, perhaps overwhelmed by its enormity.
Il ramènera de la grande ville
He will return from the big city, bringing back a piece of the urban experience into their rural life.
Avec tous ses gains des choses utiles
With all his gains from the city, he will bring back useful items that promise to enrich their lives.
Et la bague d'or et la robe blanche
And along with these treasures, he will present her with the golden ring and the white dress, symbols of their union.
Et la bague d'or et la robe blanche
The golden ring and white dress still signify love and commitment, anchoring her hopes during his absence.
S'il y pense encor dans sa longue absence
If he still remembers her during his prolonged absence, remaining dedicated to their bond despite distance.
Et n'offre son coeur à quelqu'autre fille
And does not offer his heart to another girl, ensuring that their love remains steadfast and true.
Lyrics © SEMI, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: RAYMOND LEGRAND, JEAN MAURISSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind