2006年5月30日 星期二

消失在冥河裡的北方佬/Styx & Damn Yankees

Damn Yankees

以前經常留連在光華路一家位於地下室的地下鐵MTV。當時的MTV有兩種型態,一是像KISS或神采飛揚那種租個小包廂看電影的Movie TV,另一種則是我心裡認為較貼切於原文的Music TV。

地下鐵的股東之一、臉形長得稜稜角角的六角叔叔,是個喜愛西洋音樂的人,黑壓壓的地下室裡看不出來他究竟收藏了多少 Beta 及 VHS 的音樂影帶,只知道點播MTV時,他總能盡量讓我滿足地欣賞著片中的俊男美女而雀躍不已,尤其80'年代台灣流行了大量抒情歌曲、舞曲、搖滾等等...所拍攝的 MTV 都有其意境與影響,我總是跟他聊著聊著,在視覺聽覺共享的愉悅中,以一壺熱桔茶在他店裡度過一整天。

某天六角叔叔詭異地笑著,說他有支新到貨的 MTV 還熱著:Damn Yankees (討厭的北方佬)。迫不急待想要獻寶的他,在我還納悶著這沒聽過的團名時便急著將它播放出來,畫面左下角顯示著「Damn Yankees - High Enough」後前奏隨之出現,出現在螢幕上的竟是 Tommy Shaw,他輕輕唱著,接著越飆越高,越飆越高,我的心也跟著奔騰了起來....


Damn Yankees - Damn Yankees (1990)

Damn Yankees - High Enough (1990)
Written by Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent

I don't wanna hear about it anymore
It's a shame I've got to live without you anymore
There's a fire in my heart
A pounding in my brain
It's driving me crazy

We don't need to talk about it anymore
Yesterday's just a memory
Can we close the door
I just made one mistake
I didn't know what to say when you called me baby

Don't say goodnight
Say you're gonna stay forever
Oh oo Oh, all the way

Can you take me high enough
To fly me over (fly me over) yesterday
Can you take me high enough
It's never over
Yesterday's just a memory (yesterday's just a memory and)

I don't want to live without you anymore
Can't you see I'm in misery
And you know for sure
I would live and die for you
And I'd know just what to do when you call me baby

Don't say goodbye
Say you're gonna stay forever
Oh oo Oh, all the way

Can you take me high enough
Can you fly me over (fly me over) yesterday
Can you take me high enough
It's never over
Yesterday's just a memory, I'm running
I was running for the door
The next thing I remember
I was running back for more
Yeah...

Don't say goodbye
Say you're gonna stay forever
Oh oo Oh, all the way (all the way, all the way, yeah)

Can you take me high enough
Can you fly me over (fly me over) yesterday
Can you take me high enough
It's never over
Woh oo oh oo oh oo oh

Can you take me high enough
Won't you fly me over (won't you fly me over) yesterday
Can you take me high enough
It's never over
Woh oo oh oo oh oo oh

Tommy Shaw

上圖這位1953年9月11日出生在阿拉巴馬州、最愛使用 Gibson 及 Fender 的 Damn Yankees (討厭的北方佬)吉他手 Tommy Shaw,以前是Styx (冥河樂團,成軍於1970年) 舉足輕重的靈魂人物。Styx 在1984年正式宣告解散後,Tommy 許久未出現在螢光幕上,想不到組了 Damn Yankees,且超可愛的酒窩依舊,一頭金髮留成了「妹妹頭」,戴一副酷酷的墨鏡高歌,而高超的吉他彈奏技巧仍教人驚艷!

Tommy Shaw 是我喜歡的樂手之一,如今想起他在搖滾樂界上的堅持與浮沉,至少兩個樂團的故事浮現腦海...

1975年 Tommy 加入 Styx 後與 Dennis De Young (主唱兼鍵盤手)一起帶領該前衛搖滾樂團,音樂底子豐厚、詞曲創作能力均佳的 Tommy 加入 Styx,如同補上了的缺角一般,Styx 之後的專輯張張都成為白金唱片;70'末期起樂團成員由於對強而有力的音樂與誇張的表演方式愛不釋手,便正式放棄前衛概念轉型為搖滾樂團;但當 Dennis De Young 寫給老婆的生日禮物歌曲:「Babe」,在老婆大力推薦下讓樂團一改搖滾風格冒了極大風險灌錄之後,此歌雖成了該團第一首冠軍抒情單曲,卻也讓整團經常因理念不合而紛擾不斷:Tommy 及團員們試圖將樂團帶領回搖滾路線,而 Dennis 卻想嘗試更旋律化更優美的風格。

Styx - Babe (1979)Written by Dennis De Young
Lead vocals by Dennis De Young

 

Babe, I'm leaving, I must be on my way
The time is drawing near
My train is going, I see it in your eyes
The love, the need, your tears
But I'll be lonely without you
And I'll need your love to see me through
Please believe me, my heart is in your hands
And I'll be missing you.

You know it's you, babe
Whenever I get weary and I've had enough
Feel like giving up
You know it's you babe
Giving me the courage and the strength I need
Please believe that it's true
Babe, I love you.

You know it's you babe
Whenever I get weary and Ive had enough
Feel like giving up
You know it's you babe
Giving me the courage and the strength I need
Please believe that it's true
Babe, I love you.

Babe, I'm leaving, I'll say it once again
Somehow try to smile
I know the feeling were trying to forget
If only for a while
But I'll be lonely without you
And I'll need your love to see me through
Please believe me, my heart is in your hands
And I'll be missing you
Babe, I love you
Babe, I love you
Ooh...Babe



Styx - Paradise Theater (1981)

吵歸吵,Styx 還是在1981年發行了一張「Paradise Theater」,由於專輯概念強烈地敘述了一座美麗劇院的興衰,暗喻著美國與伊拉克敵對情勢及冷戰時期帶給美國的影響,更將 Styx 推向事業的最高峰,成為轟動的代表作,但團內的爭吵卻也更加激烈,直到 Dennis De Young 選擇單飛後,Styx 終告分道揚鑣。

離開 Styx 的 Dennis 果然以其個人獨特的高亢嗓音,在1984年亮麗交出「Desert Moon」、「Call Me」創下好成績;而少了 Dennis 的 Styx 也不再是原來的 Styx。音樂路上載浮載沉的 Tommy 自從 Dennis 離去後,間斷發行了幾張個人專輯,直到1990年才與前 Night Ranger 貝斯手兼主唱 Jack Blades、吉他手 Ted Nugent、鼓手 Michael Cartellone 組創成 Damn Yankees,並因這首強而有力的抒情搖滾單曲「High Enough」,在1990年榮登全美流行榜第3名、搖滾榜第2名、1991年登上美國 Billboard 年度百大排行榜第14名,打響知名度。
(High Enough 的中文有人將之翻譯為「天高地遠」,但我比較喜歡用「遠走高飛」來形容。 )

可不知這些北方佬之間是否真的彼此討厭,其後 Damn Yankees 只於1992年發行了第二張專輯「Don't Tread」,此團便又沉寂下去,從此 Styx 與 Damn Yankees 成為歷史,真可以說「討厭的北方佬消失在冥河中」了。

Styx - Return to Paradise (1996)

天下事分久必合,合久必分。
1995年 Tommy 應前 Styx 團員之邀灌製 Greatest Hits 合輯,順水推舟地,他們也再度與 Dennis 聚首,1996年一同巡演命名為「
Return to Paradise 」的演唱會且發行專輯與DVD,「滾石音樂雜誌」將他們的重聚與 Eagles (老鷹合唱團)1993年的「Hell Freezes Over」並列為兩大樂壇盛事經典,傳為佳話。


Styx - Boat on The River (1979)
Written by Tommy Shaw

這首「Boat On The River」是1979年 Tommy Shaw 於 Styx 專輯「Cornerstone」時所寫、唱,算是 Styx 罕有的小調歌曲。1996年的聚首讓他們再度同台,Tommy 彈奏著曼陀林,Dennis 拉著手風琴,歌迷們應該都感到非常地欣慰吧。


而,時常讓我以一壺熱桔茶不斷回沖坐上一整天的地下鐵MTV,其後也因股東問題不斷吹了熄燈號,離開音樂放送者的行列;聽到 High Enough,除了想起 Tommy Shaw 之外,也常令我憶起在地下鐵的美好時光...

Take me back to my boat on the river
I need to go down, need to come down
Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won't cry out any more
Time stands still as I gaze in her waters
She eases me down, touching me gently
With the waters that flow past my boat on the river
So I don't cry out anymore

Oh the river is wide
the river it touches my life like the waves on the sand
all roads lead to Tranquillity Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me down to my boat on the river
and I won't cry out anymore

Oh the river is deep
the river it touches my life by the waves on the sand
all roads lead to Tranquillity Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me down to my boat on the river
I need to go down, with you let me go down

Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
I won't cry out anymore
I won't cry out anymore

2006年5月24日 星期三

思念誰

巫啟賢 - 思念誰 (1996)

如果提起「實力派」歌手,我想巫啟賢也是會被名列其中之一的;從馬來西亞來台發展的首張專輯「個性生活寫真集」雖未令他走紅,但之後隨即加入EMI唱片並創作「太傻」,歌聲渾然有力卻不粗糙,高亢卻不刺耳,飆得出嘶吼的情傷,令人為之動容並有了銷售長紅的成績。後來的「叫阮的名」、「等妳等到我心痛」、「愛情傀儡」到「偶而愛我的人」,使他終於攀上高峰,成為KTV點播率頗高的抒情歌曲;當然快版歌曲如「人生如夢」、「都是路彎彎」他唱得也都不錯,但是一首在台灣直到1996年才被收錄在「傻情歌」裡的「思念誰」,卻令我印象深刻。


2000年應友人之邀,北上至基隆搭乘麗星郵輪雙子星號,在那個郵輪尚未被休閒旅遊業普遍推廣的時候,我懷著滿腔的好奇心前往;電影中看過的郵輪總是有甲板上坐著日光浴的比基尼美女成排,有比市面上腦滿腸肥的富商還體面的帥哥服務生端著盤子滿場周旋,歌舞昇平的秀與知名藝人的演唱等等。

而,從我一登板開始,迎面而來的泰國變性人展開雙臂的熱情,我就明白這一趟郵輪之旅想必將會是我難忘的一次經驗......因為,我是那一定要落單的電燈泡,呵呵。



麗星郵輪  雙子星號

2位朋友各自帶了自己的女友前去,為何邀請我呢?一是因他們知道我從未搭過郵輪,想讓我見識見識,二來是因他們手中的優惠券有5張,若此次4人前去,剩下的1張日後勢必很難搞定。他們就是了解我這種獨來獨往的個性根本不會介意,才想找我一同前往。我也非常善盡職責地盡量不打擾他們,於是獨自一人樂得展開我的探索。

從數百間客房的走廊慢慢逛到游泳池邊閒坐打混看人潮,享用著免費吃到撐的中西式自助餐,到賭場去碰碰手氣,遇見著各式各樣不同膚色的人,大家同在一艘船上,真是奇妙哇!演藝廳裡安排了許多精采的表演;人妖秀、樂器演奏、大型歌舞秀、俄羅斯辣妹舞蹈秀等,經過了這麼多表演,接著舞台燈光暗了下來,緩慢地在微微的霧光中,從舞台上方透下了隱約的藍,耳邊突然傳來了出熟悉的語言:「你知不知道,思念一個人的滋味....」。

那是,巫啟賢的聲音。而那昏暗中透出的,是令人彷彿身置北大荒裡孤寂冷夜的錯覺哪...

巫啟賢 - 思念誰    
詞:沈慶 
曲:逯學軍


你知不知道,思念一個人的滋味
就像喝了一杯冰冷的水
然後用很長很長的時間
一顆一顆流成熱淚



你知不知道,忘記一個人的滋味
就像欣賞一種殘酷的美
然後用很小很小的聲音
告訴自己堅強面對


你知不知道寂寞的滋味
寂寞是因為思念誰
你知不知道痛苦的滋味
痛苦是因為想忘記誰


你知不知道,你知不知道
寂寞是因為思念誰

還記得,歌聲餘韻迴蕩中,眾人感動無語的奇異氛圍;直到藍光漸去,舞台浮起如朝陽般的明亮時,我們這才想到舉起雙手,給予他一個最熱烈的掌聲。

當所有的表演完畢,在半夜無人紛擾的三點,我一個人走到了甲板躺著仰望星斗,平靜海面輕輕地晃著的甲板,使人宛如身置搖籃裡的嬰兒;回味著那歌曲帶給我的北大荒冷寂畫面,點了一根菸,靜靜地走入那意境,試圖在空白的腦海裡,想,該思念誰...

「思念誰」原唱為中國校園民謠歌手景岡山,歌名原為「寂寞是因為思念誰」。

聽過巫啟賢這首歌的專輯版與現場版之後,很難不為他的現場演唱實力所折服,那歌聲完全不需其他樂器陪襯、穿透人心的感染力,如果不是親臨現場,又怎能形容那勾人心魂的震懾呢?
本文原載於2006.05.24

2006年5月18日 星期四

Nothing Compares to You/悲傷‧萬歲


Hable con Ella (Talk To Her) (2002)

悲傷,漸漸地平息,
用,悄悄告訴她的樂音,
用私房的,喜歡的,阿莫多瓦。


Jimmy Scott 唱著輕舟已過的滄桑,
吟著喚不回情感的 Nothing Compares To You,
想,那番望穿秋水的哀鳴,
會否就此成為一種永恆的宿願?

夜晚已經不再冰涼,那淡淡的萬歲聲,
隨和風輕盈,以平緩的曲調慢慢地,
彈奏在
每個等待合聲的音符上,
揚起,並下沉著;
單純的人聲,或以單音的伴奏。

忘了誰說,沉靜絕慢的音樂中,
才令人能好好地,好好地立在悲傷的底層,
狠狠地、使勁地與它相擁。
然而,我們要那麼多悲傷作什麼呢?

在拒絕思念,全身如癱瘓般地頹糜時,
Jimmy Scott 的慰藉,
集合了這麼多的悲傷歌聲中,
忘了拍子,且,安睡...


Jimmy Scott - Nothing Compares 2 U  

Lyrics:Prince
Music:Prince


悲傷的人,請沉著心,聽聽 Jimmy Scott,如何萬歲著,你的悲傷。


It's been seven hours and fifteen days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away


Since you been gone I can do whatever I want

I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you


It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby where did I go wrong
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you


I went to the doctor guess what he told me, guess what he told me

He said girl you better try to have fun no matter what you do
But he's a fool
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you


All the flowers that you planted, mama, in the back yard

All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I'm willing to give it another try
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you


從妳帶著妳的愛離開那一刻算起 

已經過了十五天又七個小時 
從妳離去那一刻算起 
我就過著日夜顛倒的生活 

自從妳走了以後我就隨心所欲
選擇我想要的人 
甚至到漂亮的餐廳吃著我的晚餐 
但卻沒有辦法趕走這些煩憂 
因為沒有什麼 
沒有什麼比得上妳

失去妳以後,一切都變得好空虛 
像隻不能歌唱的鳥兒 
沒有什麼能阻止寂寞的淚水落下 
告訴我,寶貝!到底我做錯了什麼 

我可以輕易的搭在每個男孩的肩上

但這只會讓我一再的想起妳 
我去看醫生,但妳猜他怎麼說?
你猜他怎麼說? 
他說:女孩呀,無論妳要怎樣都好
去找樂子就對了
他真是個笨蛋 
因為沒有什麼 
沒有什麼比得上妳 

妳種的那些花,媽媽
在後院種的
在妳過世之後就枯死了 
我知道和妳生活,有時候是比較辛苦 
可是我願意再試一次 
因為沒有什麼 
沒有什麼比得上妳
因為沒有什麼 
沒有什麼比得上妳
因為沒有什麼 
沒有什麼比得上妳


這首由 Prince 所寫的深情動人名曲,1985年交給自身旗下的 The Family 演唱,卻在1990年由來自愛爾蘭的光頭美女 Sinéad O'Connor 推上了美國Billboard年終100排行榜的第三名,而 Prince 自己才在1993年拿回來唱;另有多名歌手翻唱。

在台灣,則有順子唱過。

Sinéad O'Connor

一向擅於描繪女人細膩心境的知名西班牙導演 
Pedro Almodóvar 在「Hable con Ella」(電影:悄悄告訴她,亦名「Talk To Her」,2002)雙CD原聲帶中的第二張「Almodóvar:Viva La Tristeza」(阿莫多瓦之私房專輯:悲傷萬歲) ,收錄了這首由老牌爵士男歌手 Jimmy Scott 演繹出另一種截然不同風味的 Nothing Compares 2 U,據大師導演自己聲稱:『這些歌是我在寫「悄悄告訴她」劇本時所聽的歌,…他們就像是「悄悄告訴她」原聲帶的另一張私房專輯』…

2006年5月14日 星期日

夜來香


文學家陳虛谷先生(1896-1965)曾詩:
聽李香蘭獨唱

喝采聲中繡幕開 悠揚音調起歌臺    香蘭莫怪高聲價 也使詩人傾倒來

羽扇羅衣窈窕姿 歌聲嘹喨動京師    滿洲人物銷沈盡 只有香蘭是可兒




 李香蘭 - 蘇州夜曲  (SP盤復刻による懐かしのメロディー)

有關李香蘭的資料網路上非常多,在此僅舉由她的迷所發表的網誌:
PChome明日報台--山口淑子 李香蘭(報長:川島)


李香蘭 (りこうらん/山口淑子),1920年2月12日生於中國奉天省(現 瀋陽),父母均為在滿洲國工作的日本人。

少年時便開始學習聲樂,並被滿洲國的官員李際春收為義女。然而她從不公開自己的身世,中國民眾也都不知她的日本血統。

第二次中日戰爭期間,她被日本佔領軍重用,為滿洲映畫協會拍攝了多部旨在美化日本擴張行為的電影,從而成爲當時「大東亞共榮圈」的頭號演藝巨星。1942年到上海發展,以李香蘭的名字登上舞臺,後來成為與周璇等齊名的上海灘「五大歌后」之一。

戰爭結束後的1945年,日籍身份「山口淑子」被曝光,李香蘭以叛國罪被中國政府逮捕。但隨後在證明了她的日本移民身份後,她被無罪釋放並遣送回日本。

1947年改回原名「山口淑子」。


山口淑子在日本兩次結婚,第一次嫁給了美國的雕刻藝術家野口勇,第二次在嫁給外交官大鷹弘後,冠夫姓成為大鷹淑子,並告別舞臺轉而從政。曾當選為參議院議員和參議院外務委員會委員長。

李香蘭是受過正式西洋聲樂教育的
花腔女高音,很擅長美聲唱法。她的代表作有歌曲《夜來香》、《恨不相逢未嫁時》、《三年》、《支那之夜》←僅在電影中飾唱、《蘇州夜曲》、《蘭閨寂寂》等。


這首「夜來香」的詞曲均出自黎錦光之手,不但音律佳且精文采(使用中國小調與西洋倫巴舞曲節奏),令聽者渾身舒暢,亦深受日本作曲家服部良一的激賞,將歌詞譯成日文而流行於日本。

李香蘭 - 夜來香 (1950/昭和25年)
詞、曲:黎錦光


那南風吹來清涼 那夜鶯啼聲細唱
月下的花兒都入夢 只有那夜來香 吐露著芬芳

我愛這夜色茫茫 也愛這夜鶯歌唱
更愛那花一般的夢 擁抱著夜來香 吻著夜來香

夜來香 我為你歌唱
夜來香 我為你思量
啊~~我為你歌唱 我為你思量

我愛這夜色茫茫 也愛這夜鶯歌唱
更愛那花一般的夢 擁抱著夜來香 吻著夜來香


我愛這夜色茫茫 也愛這夜鶯歌唱
更愛那花一般的夢 擁抱著夜來香 吻著夜來香
夜來香 夜來香 夜來香


1993年大導演李翰祥與白景瑞、胡金銓、李行等為籌拍「李香蘭」傳記電影在台招考女主角,試場必須清唱「夜來香」一曲,藝人白冰冰數度公開表態、積極爭取演出李香蘭未果,最後出線的是新星金鈴子等多人,而參賽者之一便是以「少女小漁」得到亞太影后的劉若英;雖然本片後來一波三折仍未拍攝,但卻就此捧出了劉若英。

當年,有個一直夢想當星姐的人,在經濟條件有限、天候極度欠佳的狀況下,硬是拖著她的小妹,遠從高雄北上試鏡;她的妹妹百般不願,卻拿她莫可奈何,兩人騎著機車,妹妹撐著小傘,前往小港機場,直飛台北。

都說天候不佳了。在飛機上幾度亂流,彷彿搭著雲霄飛車似地,妹妹覺得心臟都快跳到嘴巴裡了,內心卻興奮著這難得的經驗。


到達台北,為了趕時間,他們召來了一部計程車直奔試場大樓,等電梯時旁邊有位滿頭白髮的老伯伯;兩姐妹不發一語,到達試場外,姐姐拉著妹妹進入洗手間整理服裝儀容,說:「剛才那位阿伯,是白景瑞唷,也就是妳的主考官之一,妳可得好好認真一點啊...

小妹仍舊一副事不太關己樣,閒散地晃呀晃,等著叫到她的號碼。


等到下午約3點鐘,妹妹進場了,她那好像只想應付一下讓事情趕快過去的表情,叫姐姐看了笑著直搖頭。

偌大的試場中,一排直直的桌前坐了好幾位看起來挺嚴肅的「評審」,不知道什麼叫做害怕的小妹大方地有問必答。
身家調查一番後,評審:「妳為什麼會想來報考這個角色?
妹妹:「我哪知道,是我姐姐把我拖來的..
評審:「那,呃,妳會唱歌嗎?會唱夜來香嗎?
妹妹點點頭:「會。


空蕩蕩的廳堂裡,沒有伴奏沒有任何聲音,這位妹妹腦中想好了起音,唱出了別於原唱高音美聲的、蔡琴版的夜來香...

本來安靜的廳堂,由於響起了妹妹的歌聲,唱完後便顯得更加鴉雀無聲。評審們交換著眼神,過了幾分鐘後才開口說等全部參賽者審後會再通知等等的話,妹妹鞠了個躬起身就往門外去,帶著某種滿足的笑容。


也不知是因為責任盡了,對得起姐姐了,還是自覺唱得很好。笑得很開心就是了...

算一算口袋裡的錢後,他們決定搭公車到機場回返高雄,那差點跳到嘴巴的心臟到了平地早已回歸原位,如今飛機也平穩多了;兩姐妹帶著一身疲憊,騎著機車,一路上突覺好笑地談論著奔波了整整一天的心情........小妹說回家想騎腳踏車。

一天之中由高雄往返台北,用上了機車、計程車、飛機與公車。
真是「一日交通記。」啊!

2006年5月12日 星期五

遠方的故鄉


小學遠足時,全班同學快樂地在西海岸公車上嬉鬧著,我坐在司機後面,望著窗外經過的風景。

也許耳朵的輕微重聽是有選擇性的,一面跟同學們漫不經心地談笑著,眼睛望著一路經過的海岸與田野,車上持續傳來的電台廣播聲卻不時鑽進耳裡來,成了我的專注點。


齊秦 - 遠方的故鄉

詞/曲:黃雅文
編曲:張丹尼


懷念著南方遙遠的故鄉
蔚藍的天空吻著那海洋
懷念著南方古老的漁港
有著我時常懷念的姑娘

夕陽下 晨曦中 一艘艘漁船在遠颺
魚兒蝦兒裝滿了籮筐
乘風破浪在歸航

懷念著南方遙遠的故鄉
如今的漁船是否還遠航
懷念著南方古老的漁港
別後的姑娘是否還無恙


清涼和風吹徐中,漁塭的馬達攪動濺起的水花,偶見的漁夫挑著的補獲物,海天一色的粼粼波光,聽覺傳入的意境就在眼簾上演。

簡單而直接地,我愛上了這首歌~~~


(齊秦在1979-1980年期間的音樂作品,屬於民歌曲風)



齊秦歷年專輯
1981 - 又見溜溜的她
1985 - 狼
1986 - 出沒
1987 - 冬雨、狼II
1989 - 紀念日
1990 - 愛情宣言
1991 - 柔情主義
1994 - 無情的雨無情的你、邊界、暗淡的月(台語)
1995 - 痛並快樂著
1996 - 絲路、純情歌(台語)
1997 - 永恆情歌Longer(英語)
1998 - 我拿什麼愛你
1999 - 世紀情歌之謎
2002 - 呼喚  

電影作品

1986 - 望海的母親
1987 - 芳草碧連天、棋王(舞台劇)
1988 - 應召女郎

2006年5月11日 星期四

Borderline/齊豫


齊豫 - 誰撿到這張紙條 我愛你 (1988)

專輯曲目
01. You've Got A Nerve
02. Waiting For The Morning
03. Make No Mistake, He's Mine (ft. 潘越雲)
04. He's So Beautiful To Me
05. Angels, Roses,And Rain
06. Lady On The Other Side Of Town
07. Whoever Finds This, I Love You
08. Vincent
09. Yesterday When I Was Young


齊豫 - Borderline
原唱:Chris de Burgh

用音樂讀史詩~Chris de Burgh/克里斯迪博夫

這一首「Borderline」,1987年齊豫曾翻唱過,風格不同卻各有韻味。

特別提起,是因為自己本來就很喜歡 Chris de Burgh,而有一次跟朋友們正在山上露營,夜已深沉時,營火之外伸手不見五指,偷偷帶去的幾瓶啤酒幾個傢伙開始小酌了起來,大家舒適地躺著,望著美麗星空,沒有人想開口說話。

宏仔帶去的手提收錄音機兀自播著一堆他自己節拷收錄的歌曲,放到這首歌之際,空寂的滄涼飄蕩在整個山谷,悲戚的傷感迴響直入心裡,配著那百般不捨的心碎,高亢歌著我們莫負年輕的強說愁:「And it's breaking my heart, I know what I must do, I hear my country call me, but I want to be with you...
(這多令我心碎,我知道我必須這麼做,我的國家在召喚我了,但我只想和妳廝守在一起...)


軍人背負的國家責任,與親人愛人必須的離散。
戰火的無情,難料的死生;摧毀的,豈只那剩下的斷壁殘垣與瓦礫?



Chris de Burgh - The Getaway (1982)

Borderline (1990 High on Emotion – Live from Dublin)


I'm standing in the station,
(I am) waiting for a train,
To take me to the border,
And my loved one far away,
I watched a bunch of soldiers heading for the war,
I could hardly even bear to see them go.

此刻我站在火車站  等待著那班將我載往邊界
與愛人見面的火車
一群準備上車的士兵們從身邊走過
我心有不忍地目送他們離去


Rolling through the countryside,
Tears are in my eyes,
We're coming to the borderline,
I'm ready with my lies,
And in the early morning rain, I see her there,
And I know I'll have to say goodbye again.

火車的隆隆聲快速地穿越故鄉的田野  
我已經淚眼模糊
即將來到邊界
心中也已默背著準備好的謊言在清晨薄雨之中  我遠遠地看到了她
同時也明白我必須再次對她說再見


And it's breaking my heart, I know what I must do,
I hear my country call me, but I want to be with you,
I'm talking my side, one of us will lose,
Don't let go, I want to know
That you will wait for me until the day,
There's no borderline, no borderline.

這多麼令我難過  但我知道我必須這麼做
祖國已經在召喚我了  而我卻只想和妳長相廝守
我選擇了我的立場  我們之間有一人將會遺憾
但是請別放棄  我想要知道
妳會等我直到那一天
那不再有邊界的一天


Walking past the border guards,
Reaching for her hand,
Showing no emotion,
I want to break into a run,
But these are only boys, and I will never know
How men can see the wisdom in a war...

走過守備邊界的士兵
伸出握她的手 
臉上不敢有任何表情

心裡卻想著如何強行闖越
但這些都還只是孩子的士兵啊
我永遠無法知道
人們如何從戰爭中洞悉智慧


And it's breaking my heart, I know what I must do,
I hear my country call me, but I want to be with you,
I'm taking my side, one of us will lose,
Don't let go, I want to know
That you will wait for me until the day,
There's no borderline, no borderline,
No borderline, no borderline...

這多麼令我心碎  我知道我必須這麼做
祖國已經在召喚我了  而我卻只想和妳長相廝守
我選擇了我的立場  我們之間有一人將會遺憾
但是請別放棄  我想要知道
妳會等我直到那一天
那不再有邊界的一天  沒有邊界
我和妳之間  再也沒有邊界


被譽為「愛爾蘭國寶」的吟遊詩人Chris de Burgh 是在古堡中長大的,由於父親是外交官,小時候隨著父親去過許多國家,因此他的歌曲中,有不少是與地名有關,要不就是像「Borderline」、「Spaceman」等有遼闊地域感的歌曲;更因目睹過許多被戰爭摧殘的景況,歌曲中不乏以悲憫的精神、史詩般的壯闊雄偉來提醒世人避免戰爭,詞意總是充滿人文關懷,緩緩在聽者心底泫染起一陣溫暖感動的漣漪,濃郁的愛爾蘭風加上他溫潤醇厚的嗓子,真情摯性地打動許多人的心扉。

其中氣勢最磅礡宏偉的,我想應該是那描述十字軍東征、不斷呼喊「Jerusalem is lost...」(耶路撒冷淪陷了)的「Crusader」跟滄涼孤寂的「Spanish Train」。

Chris de Burgh - Spanish Train and Other Stories (1975)

Spanish Train

There's a Spanish train that runs between,
Guadalquivir and old Seville,
And at dead of night the whistle blows,
And people hear she's running still...

And then they hush their children back to sleep,
Lock the doors, upstairs they creep,
For it is said that the souls of the dead,
Fill that train ten thousand deep!!

Well a railwayman lay dying with his people by his side,
His family were crying, knelt in prayer before he died,
But above his head just a-waiting for the dead,
Was the Devil with a twinkle in his eye,
"Well God's not around and look what I've found, this one's mine!!"

Just then the Lord himself appeared in a blinding flash of light,
And shouted at the devil, "Get thee hence to endless night!!"
But the Devil just grinned and said "I may have sinned,
But there's no need to push me around,
I got him first so you can do your worst,
He's going underground!!"

"But I think I'll give you one more chance"
Said the Devil with a smile,
"So throw away that stupid lance,
It's really not your style",
"Joker is the name, Poker is the game,
We'll play right here on this bed,
And then we'll bet for the biggest stakes yet,
The souls of the dead!!"

And I said "Look out, Lord, he's going to win,
The sun is down and the night is riding in,
That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line,
Oh Lord, he's going to win!.."

Well the railwayman he cut the cards
and he dealt them each a hand of five
And for the Lord he was praying hard
Or that train he'd have to drive...

Well the Devil he had three aces and a king,
And the Lord, he was running for a straight,
He had the queen and the knave and the nine and ten of spades,
All he needed was the eight...

And then the Lord he called for one more card,
But he drew the diamond eight,
And the Devil said to the son of God,
"I believe you've got it straight,
So deal me one for the time has come,
To see who'll be the king of this place,
But as he spoke, from beneath his cloak,
He slipped another ace...

Ten thousand souls was the opening bid,
And it soon went up to fifty-nine,
But the Lord didn't see what the Devil did,
and he said "that suits me fine",
"I'll raise you high to hundred and five,
And forever put an end to your sin",
But the Devil let out a mighty shout, "My hand wins!!"

And I said "Lord, oh Lord, you let him win,
The sun is down and the night is riding in,
That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line,
Oh Lord, don't let him win...

"Well that Spanish train still runs between,
Guadalquivir and old Seville,
And at dead of night the whistle blows,
And people fear she's running still...
And far away in some recess.
The Lord and the Devil are now playing chess,
The Devil still cheats and wins more souls,
And as for the Lord, well, he's just doing his best...

And I said "Lord, oh Lord, you've got to win,
The Sun is down and the night is riding in,
That train is still on time,
Oh my soul is on the line,
Oh Lord, you've got to win..."



Chris de Burgh - Crusader (1979)
Crusader
What do I do next? said the bishop to the priest,
I have spent my whole life waiting, preparing for the feast,
And now you say jerusalem has fallen and is lost,
The king of heathen saracen has seized the holy cross.

Then the priest said oh my bishop, we must put them to the sword,
For God in all his mercy will find a just reward,
For the noblemen and sinners, and knights of ready hand
Who will be the lord’s crusader, send word throughout all the land,

Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost.

Tell me what to do, said the king upon his throne,
But speak to me in whispers for we are not alone,
They tell me that jerusalem has fallen to the hand
of some bedevilled eastern heathen who has seized the holy land.

Then the chamberlain said lord, we must call upon our foes
In spain and france and germany to end our bitter wars,
All christian men must be as one and gather for the fight,
You will be their leader, begin the battle cry,

Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost...

Ooh, high on a hill, in the town of jerusalem,
There stood saladin, the king of the saracens,
Whoring and drinking and snoring and sinking, around him his army lay,
Secure in the knowledge that they had won the day.

A messenger came, blood on his feet and a wound in his chest,
The christians are coming! he said, I have seen their cross in the west,
In a rage saladin struck him down with his knife
And he said I know that this man lies,
They quarrel too much, the christians could never unite!

I am invincible, I am the king,
I am invincible, and I will win...

Close they came, the army of richard the lionheart,
Marching by day and night, with soldiers from every part,
And when the crusaders came over the mountain and they saw jerusalem,
They fell to their knees and prayed for her release.

They started the battle at dawn, taking the city by storm,
With horsemen and bowmen and engines of war,
They broke through the city walls,
The heathens were flying and screaming and dying,
And the christian swords were strong,
And saladin ran when he heard their victory song.

We are invincible, God is the king,
We are invincible, and we will win!

What do I do now? said the wiseman to the fool,
I have spent my whole life searching, to find the golden rule,
Though centuries have disappeared, the memory still remains
Of those enemies together, could it be that way again?

Then the fool said oh you wise men, you really make me laugh,
With your talk of vast persuasion and searching through the past,
There is only greed and evil in the men that fight today,
The song of the crusader has long since gone away,

Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost...
Jerusalem.


除了充滿史詩情懷及反戰的作品之外,Chris de Burgh 於1986年寫給愛妻的美麗情歌「Lady In Red」或許是大家比較耳熟能詳的抒情歌曲,當時登上英國排行榜冠軍、美國抒情榜亞軍的這首歌,因為直譯也叫「紅衣女郎」,常常使人與電影「紅衣女郎」連想在一起。 

Lady In Red
 


I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They're looking for a little romance
Given half a chance

And I've never seen that dress you're wearing
Or the highlights in your hair
That catch your eyes
I have been blind

The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight

I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing
I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled, it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling
Such a feeling of complete and utter love
As I do tonight

The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight

I never will forget the way you look tonight
The lady in red
My lady in red
I love you


1997年3月25日,這位不以偶像見長,卻擅長以真情打動人心的愛爾蘭吟遊詩人來台演唱,或慷慨激昂,或傷感狂飆,或溫柔輕唱,各是不同饗宴,使樂迷大飽聆聽之耳福並目睹這位吟遊詩人的動人樂章和風采。

至今 Chris de Burgh 仍以原創性極高的音樂持續地發光發熱,不搞花俏譁眾取寵、始終堅持如一的他,2004年發行新專輯「The Road To Freedom」(自由大道)中,寶刀未老地更嘗試以浪漫西班牙風、神秘的居爾特風、北美洲流行風及東歐優雅古味等世界音樂風格融入他豐沛的想像力,令我意外於這位從1975年發片至今的偉大詩人的改變之外,更多了一份驚喜與折服。


Chris de Burgh - The Road To Freedom  (2004)

What You Mean To Me


The Journey



Chris de Burgh 好聽的歌太多了....

The Girl With April In Her Eye


Carry Me

2006年5月9日 星期二

シナの夜 (支那之夜)

渡辺はま子 - シナの夜
(SP盤復刻による懐かしのメロディー)


童年時,父親隨口一哼一唱,好聽的日語歌曲便能慢慢透入我的心。
シナの夜(支那之夜)是李香蘭所主演的電影,此主題曲亦由她於電影中所唱。當時中日兩國正處於關係緊張之際,「支那」此二字無法見容於中國,也礙於李香蘭的身分之故,東宝映画公司決定由渡辺はま子(渡邊浜子)演唱專輯並發行,專輯中所收錄歌曲皆為當時許多電影主題曲如 サヨンの鐘、蘇州夜曲、何日君再来等,尤其「何日君再来」一曲,渡辺はま子更以那嗲聲妖艷的嗓音於曲末最後一句,字正腔圓地唱出中文,驚艷四起,不僅拉近她本身與中國之間距離,也獲得極大迴響。

渡辺はま子 - 何日君再来 (1939/昭和14年)
詞:長田恒雄
曲:仁木他喜雄


某天與父親聊起小時候他總敲著鍋蓋哼日本軍歌叫我起床的趣事,繁殖旺盛的記憶驅動使我們越想越多,但,我的記性一定是零散不成文的,一方面不懂日文,一方面當時年紀小。


父親說著他日本時代的童年,一個個我無法拼湊出畫面的景象:為了到國校上課,平頭的小男孩必須從台南市的安南區走路到台南縣仁德鄉就讀;中日戰爭時日軍為了躲避美方追蹤戰機,一群12到16歲的小男生得每天早早起床,拿起畚箕將挖好的土搬到機場蓋防空壕,還得早晚不停地將飛機推來推去,避免被美軍偵巡到.....

嘴裡唱的,不是軍歌就是日本小調;最多也是由於日本對台的皇民政策下的電影歌曲。
於是我忽然想起一段童年時常聽父親哼的旋律:「shi~na no yo lu...yu~me no yo lu」,父親馬上緊接著清唱了起來~~~

渡辺はま子 - シナの夜  (1940/昭和15年)
詞:西条八十
曲:竹岡信幸


支那の夜  支那の夜よ

港の灯り  紫の夜に 
のぼるジャンクの夢の船
ンゝ忘れられぬ胡弓の音
支那の夜  夢の夜

支那の夜  支那の夜よ
柳の窓にランタンゆれて
赤い鳥かご支那娘
ンゝやるせない愛の歌
支那の夜  夢の夜

支那の夜  支那の夜よ
君待つ夜は欄干の雨に
花も散る散る紅も散る
ンゝ分かれても忘れらりょか
支那の夜  夢の夜

中國的夜  中國的夜
港灣的燈火映照在紫色的夜幕裡
航行中的船隻彷彿在夢中
難忘的胡琴聲哪
中國的夜  夢的夜晚

中國的夜  中國的夜
柳樹旁窗邊的燈籠輕輕搖動
紅色鳥籠  中國姑娘
令人感傷的情歌
中國的夜  夢的夜晚

中國的夜  中國的夜
欄杆前等待情郎的夜晚卻下著雨
花朵散落了一地  胭脂也被雨水洗去
即使分離也難以忘懷
中國的夜  夢的夜晚


為了給父親一個久違的驚喜,上網找了許多關於這首歌的購買資料,對於不懂日文的我來說,困難地盯著電腦中那小小的、像變形蟲一般的日文字,實在非常吃力;終於在日本的Amazon亞馬遜書店讓我給找到......


Mono的復刻版,不經數位化的母帶刻錄,一張單價¥2,582,運費另計。

拿回家播放給父親聆聽時,彷彿又回到童年時,他滿足且快樂的歌唱表情,只是如今相隔超過半世紀,父親眼中多了一份超重的往日情懷~~~

再度聽著父親歌唱的聲音,看著他滿溢情感的面孔,這難能可貴的一刻,一切,都值得。

P.S.
渡辺はま子(渡邊浜子),1910年(明治43年) - 1999年(平成11年),出生於橫浜市,本名加藤浜子,1933年(昭和33年)畢業於「武蔵野音楽学校」,畢業後任教於「横浜高等女学校」,受在學時指導老師德山璉推薦,同年12月演出「海鳴る空」一劇開始備受矚目。

歌藝出眾、外貌動人的渡辺はま子,隔年因為本來主演「島の娘」的「小林千代子」突然失蹤,電影公司邀請其主演,後來媒體及校方均對此頗有微詞,認為教師應以勤務為重而經常抗議,於是昭和10年的秋天,渡辺はま子毅然辭去教職踏入演藝圈,專心於歌唱、演藝事業。

擅長音曲藝術「唄」(*後註)的渡辺はま子,中日戰時曾至天津勞軍,擄獲不少日軍青睞,光榮歸國後日本政府亦給予授勳表揚。

*「唄」是日本傳統的音曲藝術,分為「長唄」與「小唄」,兩者皆屬於三味線(shamisen,日本的三絃琴)歌謠,以三味線伴奏。

「長唄」即長歌,原為江戶歌舞伎的伴奏曲,明治以後廣為流行;「小唄」即短歌,起源於江戶末期,近代仍然流行。

專輯曲目
01. 愛国の花
02. シナの夜
03. 月のヒュッテ
04. アロマ
05. 広東ブルース
06. 何日君再来
07. 長崎のお蝶さん
08. いとしのあの星
09. 蘇州夜曲
10. 想兄譜
11. ヨコハマ懐古
12. サヨンの鐘
13. 峠の花
14. 風は海から
15. 雨のオランダ坂
16. 東京の夜
17. アデュー上海
18. いつの日君帰る

渡辺はま子代表歌曲
「ひとり静」(昭和9年)
「忘れちゃいやヨ」(昭和11年)
「とんがらかっちゃ駄目よ」(昭和11年)
「愛国の花」(昭和13年)
「支那の夜」(昭和13年)
「広東ブルース」(昭和14年)
何日君再来」(昭和14年)
「長崎のお蝶さん」(昭和14年)
「いとしあの星」(昭和15年)
「蘇州夜曲」(昭和15年)霧島昇
「サヨンの鐘」(昭和16年)
「西貢だより」(昭和18年)藤山一郎
「風は海から」(昭和18年)
「雨のオランダ坂」(昭和22年)
「東京の夜」(昭和22年)
「火の鳥」(昭和25年)宇都美清
「桑港のチャイナ街」(昭和25年)
「マンボ・チャイナ」(昭和26年)
「チャンウェイチャンウェイ」(昭和26年)
「ああモンテンルパの夜は更けて」(昭和27年)宇都美清

渡辺はま子參與之演出與音樂

受賞紀錄
紫綬褒章(昭和48年)
勲四等宝冠章(昭和56年)
日本レコード大賞特別賞(昭和48・57年)

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald/船難記事


Edmund Fitzgerald 的船難事件,發生在1975年11月10日。在當時是一件令所有人震驚、悲慟的大事;因為小村莊以海維生,大風大浪不曾阻撓,即使偶遇天候不佳發生事故,也總有人可以生還歸來。

而這一天,這艘穩固、美麗的大船 Fitz,運載著29位包含數名首次出征的年輕船員出海,卻在加拿大安大略省和美國密西根州之間的蘇必略湖東南部,距離懷特菲詩灣(Whitefish Bay,亦稱白魚灣)入口大約17哩時遇上狂風巨浪,船身在尋獲時裂為兩半(如上圖下方);而船上無一生還者的消息傳回小村莊時,悲傷有如化不開的濃霧,籠罩在所有村民的心上...

相關報導與紀念網站眾多,在此僅舉其一

1976年,知名創作歌手 Gordon Lightfoot 為了紀念所有罹難船員,而創作演唱這首「The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald」。被它所動的,是因為只有兩段簡單的、不停反覆的主副旋律,6分多鐘的歌詞卻沒有重複地娓娓訴說著故事的經過以及人們的悼念。來自加拿大的 Gordon Lightfoot,明明是冷冷的北國卻有著南方溫暖的嗓音,特有的敘事方式,無異更增添了這歌帶給人一股淡卻哀遠的懷念。

做遊艇建造工作的加拿大朋友 Glen 時常談論起這首歌,或許事故本身的轟動,也或者是他的工作之故,更多的,其實是因為,這「簡單」的旋律引人懷思的記憶,永遠是最動人的吧。

Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1976)
Music and lyrics by Gordon Lightfoot


The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy.

With a load of iron ore - 26,000 tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go it was bigger than most
With a crew and the Captain well seasoned.

Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ships bell rang
Could it be the North Wind they'd been feeling.

The wind in the wires made a tattletale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the Captain did, too,
T'was the witch of November come stealing.

The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashing
When afternoon came it was freezing rain
In the face of a hurricane West Wind

When supper time came the old cook came on deck
Saying fellows it's too rough to feed ya
At 7PM a main hatchway caved in
He said fellas it's been good to know ya.

The Captain wired in he had water coming in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd fifteen more miles behind her.

They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the ruins of her ice water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams,
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.

And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral
The church bell chimed, 'til it rang 29 times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early.

2006年5月6日 星期六

A Dear John Letter V.S. Forgive Me, John ~覆水難收

「A Dear John Letter」這首頗為知名並廣為流傳的「分手(信)歌」,奇怪地,很多人習慣將之簡稱為「Dear John」。更奇怪的是原主唱 Jean Shepard & Ferlin Husky 在 1953 年推出單曲,也是 Billboard country 冠軍單曲,但多數人最初印象深刻的,卻是 Bobby Bare & Skeeter Davis 在 1965 年錄製的,將兵變對象 Don 改成 John 的版本。

Jean Shepard & Ferlin Husky 推出這首單曲後大受好評,說起來也跟當時韓戰尾聲的時代背景有關。1953年,許多美國大兵被派往韓國去,戰爭期間書信往來不易,好不容易終於接到女朋友的來信,卻是告知兵變的消息,而且令人五雷轟頂的事實是女友兵變的對象,還是自己的兄弟:

Jean Shepard & Ferlin Husky - A Dear John Letter (1953)


(woman)
"Dear John
Oh! how I hate to write
Dear John
I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has gone
There's no reason to go on
And tonight I wed another
Dear John"
"親愛的約翰
噢!我真不願意寫這封信
親愛的約翰
今晚我還是得讓你知道
我對你的愛已消逝
沒有理由再繼續下去
今晚我就要和別人步入禮堂
親愛的約翰"

(man)
I was overseas in battle
when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
'Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started "dear John"
我在海外作戰
當郵差向我走來
他交給我一封信 我高興極了
因為戰爭已經結束 而且所有戰役都獲得了勝利
但是當我打開這封信它的開頭是:"親愛的約翰───"

(woman)
"Dear John
Oh! how I hate to write
Dear John
I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has gone
There's no reason to go on
And tonight I wed another
Dear John"
"親愛的約翰
噢!我真不願意寫這封信
親愛的約翰
今晚我還是得讓你知道
我對你的愛已消逝
沒有理由再繼續下去
今晚我就要和別人步入禮堂
親愛的約翰"

(man)
"Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
Now the ceremony has started and I'll wed your brother, Don
Will you wish us happiness forever, Dear John"
"你何不把我的相片寄回來 因為我的丈夫覺得有必要
當我告訴你我的結婚對象時 無論如何 親愛的你不會介意的
現在儀式將要開始而我就要嫁給你的兄弟:唐
你會祝福我們永遠幸福快樂嗎?親愛的約翰"


同一年,Jean Shepard & Ferlin Husky 打鐵趁熱繼續推出單曲,回應「A Dear John
Letter」,給了這個小故事一個交代:

Jean Shepard & Ferlin Husky - Forgive me, John (1953)

(woman)
Forgive me, John but I don't love your brother
I realize now that you're the only one
Write and tell me dear, that you'll still have me
If I undo the awful wrong I've done
原諒我,約翰我根本不愛你的兄弟
我現在深深明白你才是我的最愛
寫信告訴我,你心裡還有我
讓我修復我曾犯下的可怕錯誤

(man)
I'll try to answer your letter the best that I know how
The way I feel about you, honey, really doesn't matter now
As you know, the boys will be coming home soon
To be with their wives and their Maw and Paw
I'd like to come home, I'd like to see you
As a wife, but not as a sister-in-law
我試著盡我所知回信給妳
現在我對妳的感覺,親愛的,真的不是那麼重要
如妳所知,男孩們都即將返鄉
跟他們的妻子以及父母相聚
我想要回家,我想要見妳
為人妻的樣子,而不是嫂嫂的樣子

(woman)
Forgive me, John but I don't love your brother
I realize now that you're the only one
Write and tell me dear, that you'll still have me
If I undo the awful wrong I've done
原諒我,約翰我根本不愛你的兄弟
我現在深深明白你才是我的最愛
寫信告訴我,你心裡還有我
讓我修復我曾犯下的可怕錯誤

(man)
You're asking me to do something I can't do
It's hard to explain, but can't you see
My brother loves you, I reckon as much as I do
And he married you, and I could never do him like he done me
But I wish you happiness forever
May you make him a true and loving wife
There's nothing for me to come home for now
So I'll re-enlist and live my lonely soldier's life
妳要求的是我無法做到的事情
這非常難以解釋,但妳難道看不出來
我的兄弟愛妳,我想他像我愛妳一樣地愛妳
而且他娶了妳,我絕不會對他做出像他對我做過的事
但我希望你們永遠幸福快樂
妳可以成為他真誠的愛妻
我現在返鄉是毫無意義的
所以我將重新登記,繼續過我孤單的軍人生活