If you go away

First of all, no version can compete with “Ne me Quitte Pas“ by Jaques Brel. “If You Go Away“ is an adaptation of the 1959 Jaques Brel chanson “Ne me quitte pas“ with English lyrics by Rod McKuen Created as part of a larger project to translate Brel's work, “If You Go Away“ is considered a pop standard and has been recorded by many artists, including Greta Keller, for whom some say McKuen wrote the lyrics. The complex melody is partly derivative of classical music: the “But if you stay...“ passage comes from Frans Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No 6. Damita Jo reached no. 10 on the Adult contemporairy chart and no. 68 on the Billboard hot 100 in 1966 for her version of the song. Terry Jacks recorded a version of the song which was released as a single in 1974 The verses are cleverly constructed around the so called circle of fifth and I decided to add the decending bassline to it on piano. Many other artists have recorded the song. Among the most