Released in 1969
Prince En Avignon
Written by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre
Last updated on September 26, 2021
Released in 1969
Written by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre
Last updated on September 26, 2021
Album This song officially appears on the Post Card (UK version - Stereo) LP.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1969
Timeline This song was recorded in 1968
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Happiness Runs (Pebble And The Man)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
“Prince En Avignon” is a French song written by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre, covered by many French-speaking artists over the years (Fabienne Thibeault, Michèle Torr, Mireille Mathieu…). Mary Hopkin recorded it on her 1969 album “Post Card” produced by Paul McCartney.
Also of note is ‘Prince En Avignon’, a mournful chanson about a would-be monarch without a castle, by Jean-Michel Rivat, who wrote for French singers such as Françoise Hardy and Jacques Dutronc.
From the liner notes of the 2010 reissue of “Post Card“
Oh. This is in French. My French is [terrible]. I’m not going to say anything about this one at all. Well… I loved the song before I did it. It’s the track I least like, but not because of the song, simply because I don’t like me on it. I shouldn’t say that, should I? I’ll put other people off, and I think maybe they should listen and decide for themselves. My mother loves that one. I don’t know why. I just know how my voice should sound. It’s my fault – nobody’s else’s fault.
Mary Hopkin – From New Musical Express, February 22, 1969
Il était un prince en Avignon
Sans royaume, sans château, ni donjon
Là-bas tout au fond de la province
Il était un prince
Et l'enfant que j'étais
Cueillait pour lui bien des roses
En ce temps le bonheur était peu de choses
Il était un prince en Avignon
Sans royaume, sans château, ni donjon
Mais ces mots nous chantaient les campagnes
Des grands rois d'Espagne
Quand le soir descendait
On devenait spectateurs
Et la ville avec lui n'était plus qu'un coeur
Il nous emportait dans son empire
Nous attendrissait avec un sourire
Combien je l'aimais, combien je rêvais
Et puis vers ma ville je m'en retournais
Il était un prince en Avignon
Sans royaume, sans château ni donjon
Là-bas tout au fond de la province
Il était un prince
Un prince
LP • Released in 1969
3:20 • Studio version • A1 • Mono
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals
Session Recording: Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
LP • Released in 1969
3:20 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals
Session Recording: Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
LP • Released in 1969
3:20 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals
Session Recording: Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Official album • Released in 2010
3:20 • Studio version • A2010 • Stereo • 2010 remaster
Paul McCartney : Producer Ken Scott : Engineering, Mixing engineer Mary Hopkin : Vocals Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Alex Wharton : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.
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