[basjoe]

I’ve just come back to this – I thought I’d posted a reply earlier but obviously not. Firstly my thanks to all who commented. In particular I’d like to thank Ian Burdon for posting his (team’s) translation of Les Deux Oncles, which is nothing short of stupendous.

As for the implications of my original posting, events seem to have overtaken the thinking somewhat. Firstly, I was due to perform Brother Gorilla at a social event in early August, but that has now been put back to late September. I have decided to replace the phrase “Brother Gorilla” with “Beware the gorilla” because (perhaps in my naivety) I think it feels closer to GB’s meaning, ie. not only Beware the Gorilla in the story, but Beware the Gorilla meaning the bestial impulses within ourselves that support Revenge, Capital Pun, etc.

As for the idea to replace the “hanging” with “guillotine”, once again events have conspired to throw up a Populist right-wing government with a Home Secretary who supports hanging apparently, so I think I’ll leave the hanging in. I decide to change the words “Petty Sessions” for “Grand Upstanding” nod nod wink wink.

Anyway, thanks again for an enjoyable conversation.

Best Regards
Graham

[basjoe]

Sorry to keep butting into my own thread, but I do periodically come across other singers who have translated Le Gorille. Recently I came across an American Country singer’s take. Compare this to Jake’s !

https://joeflood.bandcamp.com/track/the-gorilla

Best
Graham

[basjoe]

Sorry, just one last thing. Jake’s translation describes the judge as a “petty sessions” judge, whereas GB simply uses “stolid” or perhaps meaning “upstanding”. My understanding is that Petty Sessions was for minor crimes and misdemeanours and certainly not for cases which might involve “capital pun”.

Best
Graham

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