À la Clare Fontaine
Translation by Marius Barbeau

1
In the crystal clear fountain, as I passed by one day,
I saw the limpid waters, and bathed in their spray.

Refrain:-
Since the pale dawn I have longed for
The one I love, my heart's belovèd.
Since the pale dawn I have longed for
The one that I fondly adore.

2
Beside a lofty oak-tree, in the cool wind I stray,
While from thetop-most branch comes the nightingale's sweet lay.

Refrain:-

3
Nightingale, sing lightly, your heart is so gay,
Your heart is filled with laughter, mine with tears is grey.
4
For I have lost my dear love, lost her- ah! well-a-day !
All for a wreath of roses which I did gainsay.
5
And I would the rose blossoms were still on that tree,
Oh, I would that all roses were swallowed by the sea.
6
Oh, I would the rose-blossoms were in the deepest sea.
I would that my belovèd had not forsaken me.

P. 41, Marius Barbeau, 1964, Folk-Songs of Old Québec, National Museum Bull. No. 75, National Museum of Canada.