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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
Monique Lyr Req: Pierre de grenoble (in English Please) (34) RE: Lyr Req: Pierre de grenoble (in English Please) 12 Apr 17


There's a Wiki page about it here. The text is from there (Revue des traditions populaires, Paris, Société des traditions populaires, 1897, pages 15-19).
Here are some links to slightly different versions: Chants populaires du pays castrais, A. Combes, 1862, Provençal version: Chants populaires de la Provence, D. Arbaud, 1802, Romania VII, Smith, 1878, Revue des traditions populaires, Volume 9, 1894.


Quand Pierre partit pour l'armée, sept ans demeurer,
A laissé sa mie à Grenoble, qui fait que pleurer.

Pierre a envoyé une lettre, qu'est pleine d'amours ;
La belle a fait une réponse, qu'est pleine de plours.

S'en va trouver son capitaine : "Donnez-moi congé
D'aller voir m'amie à Grenoble qui meurt de regret."

Quand Pierre fut sur la montagne, entendit sonner ;
Pierre a mis le genou en terre, s'est mis à prier.

Quand Pierre fut dedans Grenoble, s'amie a trouvé
Accompagné de trente dames, de vingt cordeliers :

"Vous qui portez ma mie en terre, laissez-moi la voir !"
A découvert son blanc visage, l'a baisé deux fois.

La première fois qu'il la baise, Pierre a soupiré.
La seconde fois qu'il la baise, Pierre a trépassé.

Que diront les gens de Grenoble de ces amoureux ?
Diront : "Ils s'aimaient tant l'un l'autre, sont morts tous les deux."

More or less literal translation (without subtleties and the like)

When Peter left for war, to stay there for seven years,
He left his beloved in Grenoble, she does nothing but weep.

Peter sent a letter that's full of love;
The girl wrote an answer that's full of tears.

He goes to meet his captain, "Give me a leave
To go see my beloved in Grenoble, she's dying of regret (sorrow)".

When Peter was on the mountain, he heard [bells] ring;
Peter put his knee on the ground, he started praying.

When Peter was [with]in Grenoble, he found his beloved
Accompanied by thirty ladies, by twenty Franciscan monks:

"You, who are bringing my beloved to her grave, let me see her!"
He uncovered her white face, he kissed her twice.

The first time he kissed her, Peter sighed,
The second time he kissed her, Peter died. (Thanks, Mrrzy!)

What will the people of Grenoble say about these lovers?
They'll say, "They loved each other so much, the two of them died."

Now you'll notice that the 6th and 7th verses in this version have the kissing moment as "l'a baisé deux fois", "La première fois qu'il la baise…". Nobody would word it like that in this context as the verb "baiser" has been meaning to fuck (lit.) at least since the 1500's-1600's! "Baiser" as a noun still means a kiss.


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