From Loudersoud.
Unearthed handwritten notes by Freddie Mercury reveal his early ideas for Queen‘s flagship anthem Bohemian Rhapsody.
The most interesting musing written by the late frontman shows his original intentions for the song’s title, and that he was at one point leaning towards the phrase ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’.
The item of stationary, which was taken from a now-defunct British airline, British Midland, displays the former working-title, with the word ‘Mongolian‘ crossed out and ‘Bohemian‘ written above it.
Elsewhere in the notes, the vocalist appears to have jotted down other lyrical ideas, such as ‘fandango,‘ ‘Figaro,’ ‘thunderbolts and lighting’ and ‘belladonna’.
Other revelations from the draft show Mercury’s initial lyrics for the verse. Instead of ‘Mama/Just killed a man/Put a gun against his head/Pulled my trigger, now he’s dead’, the singer proposed: ‘Mama/There’s a war began/I’ve got to leave tonight/I’ve got to stand and fight.’
The 15 pages of notes – which were recently uncovered after Mercury’s longtime friend Mary Austin offered up thousands of the singer’s items to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s auction house in London – are estimated to be worth $1.5 million.
Fans and collectors will be able to bid for the piece in a live auction on September 6.
Among the 1,500 items up for auction, there are also manuscripts of working lyrics to other Queen songs including Don’t Stop Me Now, Somebody To Love and We Are The Champions.
Mercury’s signature crown and cloak ensemble, famously worn throughout 1986’s Magic Tour, is also available, and expected to bring in £60,000-£80,000.
Following the death of Queen’s vocalist in 1991, Austin inherited much of his estate. Austin tells the BBC that she is selling the memorabilia in the hope of getting her “affairs in order”, adding that the collection “takes you deeper within the individual and the man I knew.”
View the Bohemian Rhapsody draft below:
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QUEEN Greatest Hits (2016 UK/EU limited edition 17-track double LP pressed on 180gram Heavyweight Double Vinyl Half Speed Mastered at Abbey Road Studios - Britain's biggest ever selling album, first released in 1980 and containing all the hit singles from 1974 to 1980. Gatefold picture sleeve with discography printed inners, factory sealed from new complete with its '60 Years of the Official Album Charts' hype sticker. Essential)
- Queen - Queen - 180 Gram - German - vinyl LP - £24.99, $32.24, €29.99 (New Item) (arrived 23-Mar-2025 17:00)on March 30, 2025 at 8:15 pm
QUEEN Queen (2015 German pressed UK/EU limited edition 10-track Half-Speed Mastered LP issue of their 1973 debut album pressed on Audiophile quality 180 gram Vinyl, including the single Keep Yourself Alive. Picture sleeve issued complete with the lyric printed inner. The sleeve shows some light creasing, however the vinyl is in Near Mint condition)
- Queen - Live At Wembley Stadium - SHM-CD - Japanese - SHM CD - £29.99, $38.69, €35.99 (New Item) (arrived 18-Mar-2025 17:00)on March 30, 2025 at 8:15 pm
QUEEN Live At Wembley Stadium (2024 Japanese exclusive 28-track double Super High Material SHM-CD, housed in a replica mini-LP style gatefold card wallet picture sleeve, with lyrics and the all-important exclusive obi-strip. Remain in a brand-new condition still in their golden SHM-CD stickered unopened re-sealable bag UICY-80366/7)
- Queen - Live Killers - SHM-CD - Japanese - SHM CD - £29.99, $38.69, €35.99 (New Item) (arrived 18-Mar-2025 17:00)on March 30, 2025 at 8:15 pm
QUEEN Live Killers (2024 Japanese exclusive 22-track double Super High Material SHM-CD, housed in a replica mini-LP style gatefold card wallet picture sleeve, with lyrics and the all-important exclusive obi-strip. Remain in a brand-new condition still in their golden SHM-CD stickered unopened re-sealable bag UICY-80363/4)
- Queen - Queen I - 2024 Mix - 180 Gram Black Vinyl - Gold Foil Cover Title - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £29.99, $38.69, €35.99 (New Item) (arrived 20-Mar-2025 11:19)on March 30, 2025 at 8:15 pm
QUEEN Queen I (Brand New 2024 Mix UK/EU 11-track LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, their debut album newly mixed from the original multi-track masters, and with the song Mad The Swine now reinstated into the album running order in itsoriginally intended place. Retitled Queen I for this release, the front cover’s Queen logo, originally designed by Freddie Mercury, has been updated with the addition of the Roman numeral “I” which is presented in stylish gold-foil relief. Complete with hype sticker & factory sealed. Recommended)
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