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Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

Ever since I caught the reference to Édith Piaf in the lyrics to the Decemberists' "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" and curiosity drove me to look her up in Wikipedia, I've had a growing appreciation of her music. Though I haven't seen La Vie En Rose, the recent movie based on her life, I've read enough to know that she led an interesting–and sometimes difficult–life. Apparently, one accomplishment from her life was left out of the biopic: During World War II, Piaf often performed for the German military, an act considered treasonous by many. However, according to her sister-in-law, Piaf gained permission to have photos taken with French POWs in Germany and then took the photos back to the French Resistance to have them enlarged and used for passports. Weeks later, she returned to the POW camp to smuggle the passports to the prisoners.

Her sister-in-law said Piaf once explained to her why she risked her own life to save others: "She said, 'It's nothing. It was the normal thing to do, and I was one who could do it.'"

Here is a link to a quiet scene from Saving Private Ryan featuring Piaf's "Tu Es Partout."

(via Boing Boing)