Mademoiselle From Armentieres

(basic version)

Words & Music:

True Origin Unknown, but WWI British

 

Most agree that this song's origins are a British Indian Army song called "Skiboo".  Some claim that the WWI version was written behind the lines in 1915 by by Edward Rowland and a Canadian composer, Lt. Glitz Rice.  Others claim that the writer was Alfred J. Walden (using the pen name Harry Wincott).  Regardless, there are countless variations of the song ranging from Edwardian prim to John Valby-like bawdy.  This one you can sing with the kids.

 

G                              D7

Mademoiselle from Armentieres, parlez-vous?

D7                             G

Mademoiselle from Armentieres, parlez-vous?

G                 D7             G                  D7

Mademoiselle from Armentieres is just sixteen plus forty years.

[or:  She hasn't been kissed for forty years.]

G      C       A7 D7  G

Hinkey-dinkey, parlez-vous?

 




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