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 The Works (1984 UK 9-track vinyl LP, their eleventh studio album which includes the classic singles Radio Ga Ga & I Want To Break Free. The picture sleeve comes with its lyric inner and shows minor wear, while the vinyl remains in Excellent condition with light signs of play WORK1)
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QUEEN A Night At The Opera (1975 UK first press 12-track LP with picture labels, including Bohemian Rhapsody & You're My Best Friend. Comes housed in the original embossed gatefold picture sleeve with illustrated inner. The cover shows some general wear and age discolouration, the inner shows only light wear, whilst the vinyl shows very few signs of play. An Excellent example of this timeless classic EMTC103) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
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QUEEN Crazy Little Thing Called Love (1979 UK 7" vinyl single with an intact four prong centre, also including We Will Rock You, card flipback style picture sleeve. The sleeve displays some notable creasing on the opening edge. Whilst the vinyl shows just some minor cosmetic signs of play and handling EMI5001)
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QUEEN Radio Ga Ga (1984 UK solid centre 7" vinyl single, also including I Go Crazy, housed in a paper picture sleeve QUEEN1)
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