"Song of the Vagabonds"

Dennis King and the Victor Light Opera Company

1925

Come all you beggars of Paris town,
you lousy rabble of low degree.

We'll spare King Louis to keep his
crown and save our city from Burgundy.

You and I are good for nothing but to die.
Let us die for Liberty.

Sons of toil and danger, will you serve
a stranger and bow down to Burgundy?
Sons of shame and sorrow, will you cheer
tomorrow for the crown of Burgundy?

Onward, onward! Swords against the foe.
Forward, forward the lily banners go.
Sons of France around us, break the chains
that bound us, and to hell with Burgundy!

The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta with music Rudolf Friml (book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H. Post).

The protagonist is poet François Villon, who was born at the time Joan of Arc enjoyed military successes.

The original production opened at the Casino Theatre on September 21, 1925.

It starred Dennis King as Villon and Carolyn Thomson as Katherine.

The operetta was popular in London in 1927.

Dennis King enjoyed fame for his performances as François Villon .

But he did not make friends among colleagues due to his tendency to hog or steal scenes.

The most famous example is when he was making the film version of The Vagabond King. He tried to insert himself into the camera's view as the film's soprano (Jeanette MacDonald playing the role of Katherine) sang the lovely "Only A Rose."

Jeanette MacDonald later expressed her resentment and thought the song should be called "Only A Nose" due to Dennis King sticking his nose into the scene when the spotlight should have been on the soprano only. King's character already dominated the stage and film productions, so there was no need for him to be intrusive in this scene.

Carolyn Thomson recorded "Only A Rose" for Victor in 1925.