In the mid-sixties it was re-interpreted by British songwriter and producer Tom Springfield who was Dusty Springfield's older brother. He wrote several songs for The Springfields and for The Seekers who were an Australian band with a special songstress - the late Judith Durham.
Her voice was plaintive and pure and it connected easily with people. It was really she who gave the song traction in the English speaking world.
"The Carnival is Over" is about what happens when something comes to an end - a relationship, a voyage, a carnival. Most humans can relate to that particular feeling of sadness when something good finishes and you cannot do a damned thing about it. The world must move on.
Pierrot and Columbine are mentioned in the song but why and who were they? They were the names of two stock characters in the old Italian pantomime-like theatre known as Commedia del'arte. Pierrot was a sad clown in love with the beautiful Columbine who breaks his heart by leaving him for Harlequin.
The song became a big hit here in Great Britain in 1965, denying "My Generation" by The Who the number one position in the musical charts. It has been my inner earworm for the last couple of days and maybe it will become yours too. Tee-hee! That's partly why I am passing it on.
Sing it baby!
Say goodbye my own true loverAs we sing a lover's song
How it breaks my heart to leave you
Now the carnival is gone
High above the dawn is waiting
And my tears are falling rain
For the carnival is over
We may never meet again
Like a drum, my heart was beating
And your kiss was sweet as wine
But the joys of love are fleeting
For Pierrot and Columbine
Now the harbour light is calling
This will be our last goodbye
Though the carnival is over
I will love you till I die
Like a drum, my heart was beating
And your kiss was sweet as wine
But the joys of love are fleeting
For Pierrot and Columbine
Now the harbour light is calling
This will be our last goodbye
Though the carnival is over
I will love you till I die
Though the carnival is over
I will love you till I die
I've never heard this song!
ReplyDeleteThe Seekers open up about fame, fortune and fallout/ Australian Story.
ReplyDeleteYouTube. ABC News In-depth.
Athol Guy bought a cake for Keith Potger's birthday. It had been three years
since they'd all been together.
The Carnival Is Over they sang at their farewell concert tour along with
I'll Never Find Another You, Georgy Girl, Morningtown, The Water Is Wide.
I'll always cherish their recording of Turn, Turn, Turn.
At school, when I was in the sixth form we had an Australian student recently arrived in England. He had seen Judith Durham as a nightclub singer back home, and at that time didn't really rate her as anything.special.
ReplyDeleteA favourite from years back when I was a teenager still, I used to play this on my little portable record player and sing along, though badly as my voice was never intended for singing. I often wonder if Judith Durham had Irish ancestry, I hear that in her voice.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful, if maudlin song. I used to think of leaving the bright lights and activity in a circus tent to the dark and cold outside.
ReplyDeleteHave you listened to Puff the Magic Dragon. Yes, Puff.
I shall have that running through my head all day now!
ReplyDeleteNot so much an earworm for me as an ear ache.
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite.
I've never heard it. I think I was too busy going crazy for the Beatles back then...
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it, but I enjoyed it!
ReplyDelete