Fernando Sor, Malbrough variations. Introduction and theme.

"Malbrook s'en va-t-en guerre" ("Marlborough Has Left for the War" also known as "Mort et convoi de l'invincible Malbrough", "The Death and Burial of the Invincible Marlbrough") a popular French folk song.

It became as popular in England as in France. Johann von Goethe came to hate Marlborough simply on account of the prevalence of the tune he encountered during travels in France. It also became popular in Spain due to the Bourbon dynasty's influence on Spanish nobility. The name of Marlborough was modified to an easier to pronounce Mambrú and was sung by children while playing Hopscotch. The melody also became widely popular in the United Kingdom. By the mid-19th century it was being sung with the words "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".

Fernando Sor's 'Variations sur Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre' for classical guitar takes the tune through five variations at varying tempo's. The piece stays in the key of D major largely throughout (variation II is in D minor) and features dropped D tuning.

Sheet Music: Spanishguitar.com