Lyrics and translation Tom Paxton - Did You Hear John Hurt?

Did You Hear John Hurt?

It was a frosty night
It was beginnin' to snow
And out on the street
The wind began to blow
We all flocked to the cellar
We all emptied out the bar
To hear a little fella
Play his shiny guitar

So did you hear John Hurt
Play his "Creole Belle"?
His "Spanish Fandago"
That we love so well
And did you love John Hurt?
Did you shake is hand?
Did you hear him play his "Candyman"?

And in a straight-back chair
With his felt hat on
He tickled our fancies
With his "Avalon"
And all the people, all the people, all the people, all the people
On MacDougall Street
Would cock their heads and listen
To hear his tappin' feet

So did you hear John Hurt
Play his "Creole Belle"?
His "Spanish Fandango"
That we love so well
And did you love John Hurt?
Did you shake his hand?
Did you hear him play his "Candyman"?

And in a straight-back chair
With his felt hat on
He tickled our fancies
With his "Avalon"
And all the people, all the people, all the people, all the people
On MacDougall Street
Would cock their heads and listen
To hear his tappin' feet

So did you hear John Hurt
Play his "Creole Belle"?
His "Spanish Fandango"
That we love so well
And did you love John Hurt?
Did you shake his hand?
Did you hear him play his "Candyman"?

As-tu entendu John Hurt ?

C'était une nuit glaciale
La neige commençait à tomber
Et dans la rue
Le vent s'est mis à souffler
Nous avons tous fui vers la cave
Nous avons tous vidé le bar
Pour entendre un petit gars
Jouer de sa guitare brillante

Alors, as-tu entendu John Hurt
Jouer sa "Creole Belle" ?
Son "Spanish Fandango"
Que l'on aime tant
Et as-tu aimé John Hurt ?
As-tu serré sa main ?
L'as-tu entendu jouer son "Candyman" ?

Et sur une chaise droite
Avec son chapeau de feutre sur la tête
Il chatouillait nos fantaisies
Avec son "Avalon"
Et tous les gens, tous les gens, tous les gens, tous les gens
De la rue MacDougall
Penchaient la tête pour écouter
Entendre ses pieds qui tapent

Alors, as-tu entendu John Hurt
Jouer sa "Creole Belle" ?
Son "Spanish Fandango"
Que l'on aime tant
Et as-tu aimé John Hurt ?
As-tu serré sa main ?
L'as-tu entendu jouer son "Candyman" ?

Et sur une chaise droite
Avec son chapeau de feutre sur la tête
Il chatouillait nos fantaisies
Avec son "Avalon"
Et tous les gens, tous les gens, tous les gens, tous les gens
De la rue MacDougall
Penchaient la tête pour écouter
Entendre ses pieds qui tapent

Alors, as-tu entendu John Hurt
Jouer sa "Creole Belle" ?
Son "Spanish Fandango"
Que l'on aime tant
Et as-tu aimé John Hurt ?
As-tu serré sa main ?
L'as-tu entendu jouer son "Candyman" ?