LA PETITE TONKINOISE - POLIN
Pier Paul Marsalès,dit Polin (1863-1927), chansonnier - Vincent Scotto composer «Fat jolly old Polin, whose songs creation portrays the happy-go-lucky lot of common soldier. He reels in from the wings, convulsed with laughter over some recent adventure, the result of which has put him in the guard-house for ten days. He is fairly bursting his red-trousered uniform with merriment as he begins his first verse. [] He is manipulating the while a red cotton handkerchief, which is never still; now it mops his round genial face, now it is twisted nervously into a rope and jammed into his trouser's pocket [] His last verse is smothered in chuckling glee; little jets of cleverly chosen words manage, however, to get over the footlights to his listeners.» (F. Berkeley Smith, 1903) pourqu'j'finisse mon service au Tonkin,je suis parti ah!quel beau pays,mesdames c'est l'paradis des petites femmes elles sont belles et fidèles et je suis devenu l'chéri d'une petite femme du pays qui s'appelle Mélaoli je suis gobé d'une petite c'est une Anna,c'est une Anna , une Annamite elle est vive, elle est charmante, c'est comme un oiseau qui chante je l'appelle ma p'tite bourgeoise ma Tonkiki,ma Tonkiki, maTonkinoise y'en a d'autres qui m'font les doux yeux mais c'est elle que j'aime le mieux ...
