Papa Yabo - The Partisan (Leonard Cohen cover)

"The Partisan" is an anti-fascist anthem about the French Resistance in World War II.

The song was composed in 1943 by Russian-born Anna Marly (1917–2006), with lyrics by French Resistance leader Emmanuel d'Astier de La Vigerie (1900–1969), and originally titled "La Complainte du partisan" (English: "The lament of the partisan").

The English adaptation is by Hy Zaret (1907–2007), best known as the lyricist of "Unchained Melody".
Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) recorded his version, using Zaret's adaptation, and released it on his 1969 album Songs from a Room.

I have recorded my version as a tribute to my father, Frans Hover (1921-2004), who was a partisan himself during the final year of WW II, in the woods near the village of Baarlo, in the Dutch province of Limburg, where he and my mother were born.
I intend it as a warning against the rise of fascist populism all over the world.

The backing vocals are by my former vocal coach Nika van Stiphout, for which I am very grateful.

The picture in the video is of the monument that was erected in memory of the resistance group of which my father was a member.

The Partisan

When they poured across the border
I was cautioned to surrender
This I could not do
I took my gun and vanished.

I have changed my name so often
I've lost my wife and children
But I have many friends
And some of them are with me

An old woman gave us shelter
Kept us hidden in the garret
Then the soldiers came
She died without a whisper

There were three of us this morning
I'm the only one this evening
But I must go on
The frontiers are my prison

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing
Through the graves the wind is blowing
Freedom soon will come
Then we'll come from the shadows

Les Allemands étaient chez moi
Ils me dirent, "résigne toi"
Mais je n'ai pas pu
J'ai repris mon arme

J'ai changé cent fois de nom
J'ai perdu femme et enfants
Mais j'ai tant d'amis
J'ai la France entière

Un vieil homme dans un grenier
Pour la nuit nous a caché
Les Allemands l'ont pris
Il est mort sans surprise

Now the wind, the wind is blowing
Through the graves the wind is blowing
Freedom soon will come
Then we'll come from the shadows