Un seul combat
pour une seule patrie
Musée de l'Armée
Paris
Second World War : 1939-1945
La complainte du partisan (Song of the French Partisan)
This song was written in London in 1943 by Emmanuel d'Astier de La Vigerie fondly called "Bernard" in the Resistance. The music was composed by Anna Marly.
This song recounts the solitude, the awful ordeals, the sadness and the despair of one of those who, under occupied and subjugated France, chose to go underground in order to continue the armed resistance against the oppressor in secret, with the risk of being denounced, tortured and killed. Rendered neutral to the uninitiated and inoffensive to the ears of the enemy when whistled, as was often the case, la complainte du partisan became a symbol of recognition of the French Resistance.
Listening to this tune, one can hardly not notice the striking contrast between its nonchalant tempo and the extremely solemn and intense message conveyed by its lyrics.
La complainte du partisan (Song of the French Partisan)
