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The coolest of the Legion's traditions is that its service anthem -- its version of say, the Marines' Hymn -- is Edith Piaf's "Je Ne Regrette Rien", which was d
by leroy_masochist 10y ago
The coolest of the Legion's traditions is that its service anthem -- its version of say, the Marines' Hymn -- is Edith Piaf's "Je Ne Regrette Rien", which was dedicated by Piaf to the Legionnaires in Algeria at the time of its release. They sing it in parades and as a drinking song, it's awesome.
- rajasinghe 10y agoFor context, it should be noted that this song was adopted following the participation of the 1st REP (1st Foreign Parachute Regiment) in the 1961 putsch against the French government. President Charles de Gaulle had embarked on a policy of self-determination for Algeria (which would culminate in independence). This was met by disbelief within army which had been fighting the Algerian rebels for the past seven years. As a result, there was widespread dissent, culminating in the failed 1961 putsch. Several of the generals were caught and court-martialed, while others went underground and joined the OAS terrorist group.
- MagnumOpus 10y agoWell, the actual anthem is "Tiens voila du budin" - it's far older and more acceptable. The Piaf song is more an edgy marching song for those elements in the legion who don't feel any loyalty to the milquetoast French civilians and reminisce fondly about when the Legion putsched against de Gaulle in the 60s...