Par
Gilles Farina-Vallé
| on December 25, 2022 at 06:00
According to legend, he is the French performer who has sold the most records in the world with, it seems, several hundred million sold for the same song. From the first notes, we plunge back into childhood thanks to its timeless title. No Christmas can pass without it… You have no doubt guessed it, today let’s come back to Petit Papa Noël by Tino Rossi.
A song destiny to success…
We are in 1946. Tino Rossi plays in Destin, a film by Richard Pottier. For the purposes of a scene, a gospel group had to sing a Christmas song with the Corsican tenor. But the group never came… So Tino goes looking for a Christmas carol.
As you can imagine, he comes across Petit Papa Noël, a song from 1944. The charm operates and he decides to choose it for the scene of the film. Only, the lyrics don’t suit him… Indeed, this song written by Émile Audiffred talks regarding a little boy asking Santa Claus to return his prisoner dad to Germany. For Tino Rossi, the lyrics must be rewritten and all references to war and religion, widely acclaimed by the Vichy regime, removed.
Let’s also remember that the Corsican singer refused to record Maréchal, here we are! despite a very significant cachet…
The song composed by Henri Martinet is definitively adopted following Raymond Vincy modified the lyrics. Tino Rossi recorded it in 1946 and in 1951 it was released in 45 rpm.
A secular song that has become a Christmas hymn
Thus, Santa Claus has become in this first half of the 20th century, the secular symbol of a multi-millennial celebration. In his song, Tino Rossi embodies a child speaking to Santa Claus before falling asleep. The subject seems simple but extremely effective! Indeed, we all talked to “Papa Noël” before falling asleep on December 24th. We have all already asked him to bring us gifts and toys the next day at the foot of the tree. And we have all already promised to have been very good this year…
Here are some elements that show the universality of the song. However, a universal song is a song that knows success.
Note also the incredible benevolence in this Christmas carol. Indeed, the child begs Santa Claus to bring him his toys, but is also worried regarding him!
But before leaving
You will have to cover yourself well
Outside you’ll be so cold
It’s a bit because of me
Because let’s not forget, Christmas is above all a celebration where you take care of your loved ones and others. Thus, the benevolence of Raymond Vincy’s words transcribes with tenderness and gentleness the magic of December 24th.
Finally, it is important to specify the secular term of the song. Indeed, it is the first Christmas song not dealing with the nativity of Christ. Therefore, the text does not highlight a biblical scene, but a character belonging to Western folklore: Santa Claus. The text certainly has religious references, like prayer or the sound of church bells, but it is not a religious song for all that.
Whatever, Small Santa is a timeless song that makes, has made and will make millions of children dream. And for that, thank you Tino Rossi !
