Handwritten lyrics for Jacques Brel’s song, “Amsterdam”, have fetched more than 108,000 euros at a Paris auction.

The words were scribbled in a school notebook which was one of 95 lots for auction at a Sotheby’s Paris auction held 30 years after Brel’s death on October 9, 1978.

Brel’s widow and three daughters, who hold full rights to his work, opposed the sale and had offered to buy up the entire collection for 175,000 euros.

“This is a national heritage. It shouldn’t be sold,” said Brel’s widow Therese on France Info radio. “It’s a shame and a bit of a disgrace.”

Posted: 10|9|08 at 9:04 am. Filed under: Europe.