"Partant pour la Syrie" ([paʁtɑ̃ puʁ la siʁi]; English: Departing for Syria) is a French song, the music of which was written by Hortense de Beauharnais and the text by Alexandre de Laborde in or about 1807.
Contents
Background
The song was inspired by Napoleon's Egypt campaign. It represents a chivalric composition of the aspirations of a crusader knight in a style typical for the First French Empire. Hortense indicated in her Memoires that she wrote the music when she lived at Malmaison. During its popularity in the nineteenth century the song was arranged for numerous instruments by various composers.
The poem by Laborde was originally titled Le beau Dunois telling the story of the handsome crusader Dunois. Prior to his departure to Syria he prays to the Virgin Mary that he will love the most beautiful woman and that he himself may be the bravest. His prayers are answered. On his return the brave warrior wins the hand of Isabelle. Love and honor prevail.
Popularity
The song was popular during the remainder of the First Empire, popular with Hortense in her exile, and with the Bonapartists during the Bourbon Restoration. During the Second Empire Partant pour la Syrie was the unofficial national anthem, while La Marseillaise was forbidden but for the very end. With the collapse of Napoleon III’s rule, the popularity of the song waned. The song was played to the Emperor Napoleon III as he departed from Schloss Wilhelmshöhe to his exile in England in 1871. It remains part of the repertoire of French military music.
Text
Partant pour la Syrie, Le jeune et beau Dunois, Venait prier Marie De bénir ses exploits : Faites, Reine immortelle, Lui dit-il en partant, Que j'aime la plus belle Et sois le plus vaillant. Il trace sur la pierre Le serment de l'honneur, Et va suivre à la guerre Le Comte son seigneur ; Au noble vœu fidèle, Il dit en combattant : Amour à la plus belle, Honneur au plus vaillant. On lui doit la Victoire. Vraiment, dit le seigneur ; Puisque tu fais ma gloire Je ferai ton bonheur. De ma fille Isabelle, Sois l'Epoux à l'instant, Car elle est la plus belle, Et toi le plus vaillant. A l'Autel de Marie, Ils contractent tous deux Cette union Chérie Qui seule rend heureux. Chacun dans la chapelle Disait en les voyant : Amour à la plus belle, Honneur au plus vaillant.English Translation
Going to Syria The young and handsome Dunois Went to ask the Virgin Mary, His heroic deeds to bless, Make it so, immortal Queen He said on his leaving, That I love the most beautiful woman And be the bravest He writes on stone The oath of honor And follows into war The earl, his lord. The noble desire faithfulness He said to his fighter: Love to the most beautiful woman Honor to the brave Love to the most beautiful woman Honor to the brave We owe you the victory Verily! says the lord, Since you have established my glory, I will make you happy! My daughter Isabella Will be your wife For she is the most beautiful woman And you the bravest For she is the most beautiful woman And you the bravest At the altar of Mary, They pledged both This dear union Which makes the lonely happy. Everyone in the chapel Said seeing them: Love to most beautiful woman Honor to the bravest Love to the most beautiful woman Honor to the bravest.Trivia
It is interesting to note that Syria was later to become a League of Nations Mandate under French administration following World War I.