Herbert Kretzmer, the man who penned English lyrics for 'Les Miserables', dies at 95

'The word 'translation' makes me shiver. Words can resonate in one culture but not another, so I read the novel and then told the story in my own way,' lyricist Kretzmer was once quoted as saying in relation to 'Les Miserables'. Photo: Bloomberg

Herbert Kretzmer, best known as the lyricist on the English version of the musical Les Miserables, and writer of songs such as Goodness Gracious Me and Charles Aznavour's hit She, has died at 95.

Tributes came in Wednesday from some of the leading lights of the British stage world. Les Miserables producer Cameron Mackintosh said: "It is terribly sad to hear that the great Herbert Kretzmer passed away last night after a period of illness. His wonderful words for Miserables will live on in his memory forever more and the Christmas season at the Sondheim will be all the more poignant for all of us as we hear the people sing without having him there. God bless you, Herbie."