The Hungarian Suicide Song (Gloomy Sunday)

Gloomy Sunday

"Gloomy Sunday" is a song composed by Hungarian pianist and composer Rezső Seress and published in 1933, as "Vége a világnak" ("End of the world").[1] Lyrics were written by László Jávor, and in his version the song was retitled "Szomorú vasárnap" (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈsomoruː ˈvɒʃaːrnɒp]) ("Sad Sunday"). The song was first recorded in Hungarian by Pál Kalmár in 1935.

"Gloomy Sunday" was first recorded in English by Hal Kemp in 1936, with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis,[2] and was recorded the same year by Paul Robeson, with lyrics by Desmond Carter. It became well known throughout much of the English-speaking world after the release of a version by Billie Holiday in 1941. Lewis's lyrics referred to suicide, and the record label described it as the "Hungarian Suicide Song". There is a recurring urban legend that claims that many people committed suicide with this song playing.

Let's see the original lyrics

Hungarian:

"Szomorú Vasárnap száz fehér virággal, Vártalak kedvesem templomi imával, Álmokat kergető Vasárnap délelőtt, Bánatom hintaja nélküled visszajött,

Azóta szomorú mindig a Vasárnap Könny csak az italom kenyerem a bánat... Szomorú Vasárnap.

Utolsó vasárnap kedvesem gyere el Pap is lesz, koporsó, ravatal, gyászlepel Akkor is virág vár, virág és - koporsó Virágos fák alatt utam az utolsó Nyitva lesz szemem hogy még egyszer lássalak Ne félj a szememtől holtan is áldalak..."

English:
"On a sad Sunday with a hundred white flowers, I awaited for you my dear with a church prayer, That dream chasing Sunday morning, The chariot of my sadness returned without you,
Ever since then, Sundays are always sad, tears are my drink, and sorrow is my bread ... Sad Sunday.
Last Sunday dear please come along, There will even be priest, coffin, catafalque, hearse-cloth. Even then flowers will be awaiting you, flowers and coffin. Under blossoming (flowering in Hungarian) trees my journey shall be the last, My eyes will be open, so that I can see you one more time, Don't be frightened from my eyes as I'm blessing you even in my death... Last Sunday."

Source: wikipedia