HYMNE DE L'AMOUR

While searching for "Awake" by Josh Groban on Playlist, I discovered another beautiful song that he sings called "Hymne De L'Amour".  I recognized the song immediately.  It's one that I had not heard since I was a young boy and didn't realize I loved it so.  I remember my parents, Lorene and Del Bluhm, had an extensive collection of 78 rpm records and I would sit for hours, mesmerized, while listening to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Patty Page, Perry Como,The Four Lads and Vera Lynn.  Lynn, a British singer,  was one of my favorites.  She sang WWII songs such as "When We Meet Again", "White Cliffs of Dover" and "If You Love Me, Really Love Me", the English version of "Hymne De L'Amour".

"If You Love Me", was originally sung by Edith Piaf, the famous French singer.  It is said Edith was in love with a French boxer, and after he died in a tragic plane crash, she rewrote the lyrics and sung it on stage.  The lyrics were so close to her heart, remembering her loved one, she fainted on stage while singing the song.

Listen to Josh Groban's rendition of it as he sings it in French on Playlist or your mp3 source of choice.  But if you really want to hear the song as I heard it sung by Vera Lynn, click HERE.  It will always be the only arrangement that stirs the passion I have for the song. And for an update, visit the next video where Dame Vera Lynn, now in her 90's, is interviewed HERE ALSO.