Looking for a simple French song

Subject: Looking for a simple French song
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 07:50 AM

Hello I'm looking for opinions. I have some school programs coming up, for English speaking kids, and it's been suggested that I teach them a song in French. Any Suggestions? I'll be in northern New England, so I'm thinking French-Canadian in origin, not that that's important. The only condition is it needs to be suitable for a young audience. I believe I'd prefer something with a relatively simple chorus, maybe a counting type chorus, as I don't expect that they speak French, and I only have a rudimentary command of the language.

Thank you
Marc Bernier

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:11 AM

Frère Jacques

Alouette

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Emma B
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:20 AM

Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y a des tas, des tas d'canards
i aï i aï o
Et des couac couac ci, et des couac couac là
Couac ici, couac par là
On n'entend que couac couac
Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y a des tas, des tas d'abeilles
i aï i aï o
Et des bzzzz bzzzz ci, et des bzzzz bzzzz là
bzzzz ici, bzzzz par là
On n'entend que bzzzz bzzzz
Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y a des tas, des tas de vaches
i aï i aï o
Et des meuh meuh ci, et des meuh meuh là
meuh ici, meuh par là
On n'entend que meuh meuh
Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y a des tas, des tas de carp's
i aï i aï o
Et des pmh pmh ci, et des pmh pmh là
(...)
Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y a des tas, des tas d'cochons
i aï i aï o
Et des grrroin grrroin ci, et des grrroin grrroin là
(...)
Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y a des tas de dynamite
i aï i aï o
Et des boum boum ci, et des boum boum là
(...)

Chez l'vieux fermier Mac Donald
i aï i aï o
Y plus qu'des tas de cailloux
i aï i aï o !


We used to sing 'Il était une bergère' at school - not recommended for any cat lovers!

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: nutty
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:26 AM

Plaisir d'amour

La plume de ma tante

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: melodeonboy
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:27 AM

I've done this before with absolute beginners by adapting "Sur le pont d'Avignon".

"Sur le pont d'Avignon, on y danse, on y danse,
Sur le pont d'Avignon, on y danse tout le soir"

You can then, with the help of flashcards, substitute "on y danse" with "on y mange", "on y bois" and "on y chante" (or any other verbs that take your fancy!).

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Emma B
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:38 AM

another source with lyrics and tunes to some of the suggestions too

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 08:43 AM

"Ma Normandie"

Quand je suis triste, je pense a toi
Ma Normandie, Chere Normandie
Mes pensees sount toujours a toi,
Ma Normandie, Ma Normandie

En saluant chaque patrie
Je reviendrai toujours a toi.
Je te salue, ma Normandie -
C'est le pays qui m'a donne ce jour.

J'ai vu les champs de l'Italie,
Ma Normandie, chere Normandie.
J'ai vu les Alpes del'Helvetie
Et ces chalets, et ces glaciers.

En saluant, etc.

Sorry but I don't know how to do graves and acutes (circumflexes, cedillas, oxeia or other bits and bats :-)

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Weasel
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 12:11 PM

Un Canadien errant - it's lovely.

Cheers,

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 02:48 PM

Have a look at Mama Lisa's World France page, we have French kids songs easy to learn. There's an English translation, a midi file + the sheet music and some mp3 recordings.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 04:01 PM

Where will you be in northern New England? The above suggestions are great, and there are loads more. Let me know if you're going to be in NH!

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: banjoman
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 04:21 PM

How abou "Ton Moulin Ton Moulin va trop vite
          Ton Moulin Ton Moulin va trop font

repeat    Ton Moulin.......


I learnt this many years ago from a Polish Gentleman who was teaching us French and I think it translates as:

Miller Miller your mill turns too fast
which is simply repeated over and over

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 04:29 PM

MONIQUE - That is a WONDERFUL page - great MP3 and lovely voice with piano.

Well Done ! THANK YOU - I will be sharing it with others.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 05:05 PM

Well, thanks for the compliments, Gargoyle! I don't know which "lovely voice with piano" you're refering to, a couple of contributors agreed to record some songs, you also can hear some songs sung by my former students/pupils and by a colleague of mine -I confess I avoid recording in French because I must switch to standard French accent and it doesn't always sound 100% OK.

Btw, "Ton moulin va trop vite" goes

"Meunier, tu dors,
Ton moulin va trop vite,
Meunier, tu dors,
Ton moulin va trop fort.
Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop vite
Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop fort,
Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop vite
Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop fort.

"Miller, you're sleeping" + Banjoman's translation

It's one of the first songs babies are sung to because you turn your hands around each other forewards and backwards and teach them to imitate you.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 05:49 PM

To say that I am having a delightful time over at the site suggested by Monique would be an understatement. What fun songs!

I must share this one's English translation from Mama Lisa

http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=1419&c=22

NAPOLEON PREMIER

Napoleon the First
Goes down the stairs
And asks the butcher
Where the toilets are.

The butcher tells him:
"You, kind of nitwit,
When you're a captain
You pee in the casks."

The casks are blocked
They must be unblocked
With a pigtail shaped
Corkscrew.

The queen of Italy
In her bed did a wee
It must be cleaned
With spaghetti.

The queen of England
On the floor did a poo
It must be cleaned
With some potatoes.

The queen of space
Lost her big shoes
They must be found
Before it stinks of feet.

The queen of Spain
Got lost in a mountain
She was found
In a policeman's arms
Ah ha!

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Now what 8 year old would not find this song delightful in ANY county?

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Neil D
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 12:17 AM

Napoléon avait cinq cents soldats Informations légalesSource : http://thierry-klein.nerim.net/napoleon.htm
Auteurs orignaux : Inconnu ou non précisé, voir l'historique de l'œuvre pour savoir qui à publié l'originale sur le wiki.
Licences de l'originale : Domaine public
Cette œuvre :Consulter Discuter Voir le texte source Historique Langue Informations légales

Tout ou partie de cette œuvre est basé sur une œuvre entrée dans le domaine public intitulée «{{{titre}}}».

Vous pouvez retrouver la version entrée dans le domaine public en consultant l'œuvre initialement importée dans l'historique.

Sauf absence de modification, l'œuvre diffusée sur cette page est, elle, sous licence art libre.

Source : http://thierry-klein.nerim.net/napoleon.htm

Auteurs de l'œuvre originale :

Licences : Domaine public

Napoléon avait cinq cents soldats, (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napoléon avait cinq cents sol..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napoléon avait cinq cents..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napoléon avait cinq..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napoléon avait..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napoléon a..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napoléon..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napolé..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Napo..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
Na..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.
..., (ter)
Marchant du même pas.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





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On supprime une syllabe à chaque couplet en se chantant mentalement le reste de la phrase pour ne pas perdre la mesure et arriver en même temps au refrain.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 02:31 AM

You can also find this song on Scouts de Québec with the full midi file with the "blanks".

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 04:41 AM

Monique - you are a verital treasure trove of resources. The collection of folk songs on the Quebec Scouting site, along with the young children's webpage is great.

http://www.scoutsdequebec.qc.ca/chantstrad.html

Stewball the race horse - wow.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Amos
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 09:25 AM

Perrine etait servante
A la Claire Fontaine
Allouette
C'est le gorille
Le p'tit cheval blanc

THe last two are by Georges Brassens.


A

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 12:22 PM

Amos, are you sure people would want their kids to learn Gare au gorille??? Maybe "La cane de Jane" would be more appropriate if we want them to learn about animals without having their ears offended!

Subject: ADD: La Laine Des Moutons (the wool of the sheep)
From: Eve Goldberg
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 12:26 PM

"La Laine Des Moutons" is a beautiful "zipper" song that kids love:

La laine des moutons
C'est nous qui la tondaine
La laine des moutons
C'est nous qui la tondons
Tondons, tondaine
La laine des moutaines
Tondons, tondaine
La laine des moutons

lavaines/lavons
cardines/cardons
filaines/filons
portaines/portons
chantaines/chantons


Translation: The wool of the sheep, it is we who cut it, wash it, card it, spin it, wear it, and sing about it.

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDN6JBrBS5U

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Bernard
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 12:30 PM

Try J'ai Perdu le 'Do' de ma Clarinette...

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 12:59 PM

Well, guys, I feel as if I were playing against my side but here are some main websites of French kids songs that I know of (my side is Mama Lisa's World, but only there you'll find an English translation for all the songs!)

bmarcore (lyrics, sheet music, midis and mp3 samples)
Thierry Klein's site (lyrics, sheet music and midis)
Momes.net, songs and rhymes section (lyrics, only some midis, but lots of rhymes)
Tête à modeler, songs section (lyrics and mp3)

Gargoyle, Stewball was sung in French by Hugues Aufray (French lyrics by him and Pierre Delanoé) Here is the YouTube. Btw, Hugues Aufray would also sing "Le petit âne gris" -another sad song, my 1st graders would shed a tear when reaching the end.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 01:04 PM

Chevaliers de La Table Ronde - sort of french Wild Rover. Got a chorus of the kids. Divide them into two sides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPanlQD4hpA

As you and they will quickly realise it is a drinking song.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 10:59 PM

Thank you so much for all of your responses. I had some ideas, but I was looking for more input. This is precisely how and why this is a wonderful community. Sorry Animaterra, "Northern New England", I believe means Burlington, Vt. area for this trip. I'm still not sure what I'm doing, but this has been one of the requests that I wanted a second opinion on. How 'Bout them Bruins!

Subject: Simple French song: Fais Do Do
From: Genie
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 11:48 AM

How about "Fais Do Do?" It's a lullaby, meaning "Go to sleep."

Fais do do, Colit,* mon p'tit frère, (Go to sleep, Colit, my little brother)
Fais do do, t'auras du lolo. (Go to sleep, you shall have some milk.)

Maman est en haut, (Mama is up[stairs?]_
Qui fait des gâteaux, ( making cakes.)
Papa est en bas, (Papa is down[stairs?])
Qui fait du nougat. (making candy.)

Fais dodo, Colas mon p'tit frère,
Fais dodo, t'auras du lolo.

Here's one website: Songs for teaching young children

*the brother's name varies from version to version

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Genie
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 12:10 PM

This site gives a slightly different (probably better) translation.

Fais dodo, Colas,* mon petit frère, (Go to sleep, Colas my little brother
Fais dodo, t'auras du lolo. (Go to sleep, you'll get a treat.)

Maman est en haut, qui fait du gâteau (Mom is upstairs making some cake)
Papa est en bas, qui fait du chocolat (Dad is downstairs making some chocolate)
Fais dodo, Colas mon petit frère,
Fais dodo, t'auras du lolo.

*probably short for Nicolas

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 02:30 PM

Genie, I wonder where this "Colit" comes from but I can assure you that it's no French (Colit sounds like "colite" = "colitis"), there must be a typo. "Colin" would be more accurate. The usual version is with Colas -yes, it's short for Nicolas
"lolo" is baby talk for "milk". By extension, "lolo" is slang -but nice slang- for "breast" (ex: elle a de gros lolos = she has big breasts)

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Genie
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 04:28 PM

Monique, I don't doubt what you're saying. The first time I saw this song in print (years ago), that's how the name was spelled (I thought "Colin" would be more likely), but it may indeed have been a typo. And the translation given for "lolo" was "milk." (It sounds like that term kind of corresponds to the Spanish "te te,"* which can mean the breast, the milk that comes from it, or a baby's bottle."


*I'm not sure I spelled it right. I've never seen it written out.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 05:16 PM

The spelling is "tete" (Check this) Though having a Spanish background, I never heard it used in my family. But I did always hear "tetas" for "breasts" which would translate more likely as "tits".

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Genie
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 11:40 PM

The woman I learned "tete" from was Mexican-American, and she used the term with my nieces and nephews when they were babies.   (Their dad, who was born in Central America, also used it.) I'm sure it does mean "tits" (or "teats") but it was also used to refer the baby bottle of milk.   It may not be a common idiom in all Spanish-speaking groups.

Subject: ADD: Amis, Mais de Quoi Juons-Nous
From: Monique
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 04:26 AM

I didn't doubt what you were saying Genie, I mentioned my own background only to mean that I never heard it used which doesn't mean it isn't. Btw, it's also used in French (spelled "tété" and stressed on the last syllable) meaning both milk and breast. In the South we rather say "tétou" (borrowed from the Occitan "teton" pronounced "tettoo")

There's a song I used to sing with my first graders, it's a song of the type of "Ich bin ein Musikante"

AMIS, MAIS DE QUOI JOUONS-NOUS?

Leader:
Amis, mais de quoi jouons-nous, oh oh oh oh
Chorus:
Amis, mais de quoi jouons-nous, oh oh oh oh
Leader:
Nous jouons du piano (sung "pi-a-no")
Chorus:
Nous jouons du piano
All
Pia- pia- piano, pia- pia- piano
Pia- pia- piano, pia- piano.

Amis... nous jouons du violon (sung "vi-o-lon")
Vio- vio- violon, vio- vio- violon
Vio- vio- violon, vio- violon
Pia- pia- piano, pia- pia- piano
Pia- pia- piano, pia- piano.

Amis... nous jouons de la trompette
Ta tarara tarara tata...
Vio- vio- violon...
Pia- pia- piano...

Amis... nous jouons de la guitare
Drnn drnn drnn... + sound of the previous instruments

Amis... nous jouons de la grosse caisse
Poumba poumba poumbapa....

Amis... nous jouons de la cymbale
Tzing a tzing a tzing a tzing...

Amis... nous jouons du biniou (or de la cabrette or de la cornemuse)
you hold your nose and utter a sort of "woin" sound to imitate a bagpipe


You can add as many instruments as you see fit, the last verse (optional!) being "Amis... nous jouons de ce que nous voulons" (what we want), and every kid chooses any instrument s/he wants and sings its sound -which usually makes a lot of noise and a big mess!

---

Click to Play

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:00 AM

Joyeux anniversaire
Joyeux anniversaire
Joyeux anniversaire cher quelqu'un
Joyeux anniversaire

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:07 AM

Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq.
Une fois que je pêchais un poisson vivant.
Six, sept, huit, neuf, dix.
Alors je l'ai laissé partir encore.
Pourquoi a fait vous laissez-le partir ?
Cause il a mordu mon doigt ainsi.
Quel doigt a-t-il mordu ?
Cet auriculaire du côté droit.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:15 AM

Me, me, mouton noir
Est-ce t'as de laine ?
Oui, m'sieur, oui, m'sieur, trois sacs plein.
Un pour le maitre, un pour sa dame
Et un pour le gamin qui habite le chemin.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:16 AM

Michelle, ma belle
Sunday monkey don't sing piano song
Sing piano song

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:29 AM

Oh oh! This is "One, two, three, four, five, Once I caught a fish alive..." put into an online translator but no actual French song. I'm sorry but "Pourquoi a fait vous laissez-le partir? Cause... " is total gibberish, just as would "why has done you let go it? Parce que..." in English)

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:46 AM

Michelle, belle de mA.
Singe don't de dimanche chantent la chanson de piano.
Chantez la chanson de piano.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:49 AM

Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq.
Une fois que haine de êc d'I p un poisson vivant.
Six, sept, huit, neuf, dix.
Puis je l' ; ayez le 쳌E d'alluvium à laisser toujours.
Pourquoi avez-vous fait avez-vous laissé le congé il ?
Causez-le a mordu ainsi mon doigt.
Quel doigt il peu ?
Ceci auriculaire de la droite de 쳌E de ôt de C.

************

Better?

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Monique
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:55 AM

You're funny!

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 11:24 AM

And La Souris Verte (the green mouse)

C'est la souris verte
Qui courait dans l'herbe
Je l'attrape par la queue
Je la montre a ces messieurs
Ces messieurs me disent
Trempez-la dans l'huile
Trempez-la dans l'eau
Ca vous fera un escargot
Tout chaud
Je la mets dans mon chapeau
Elle me dit qu'il fiat trop chaud
Je la mets dans mon tiroir
Elle me dit qu'il fait trop noir
Je la mets dans ma culotte
Elle me fait trois petites crottes

(It's the greem mouse who ran in the grass
I catch her by the tail and show her to these gentlemen
These gentlemen tell me, dip it into oil, dip it into water, it will make for you a nice hot snail
I put it in my hat, it tells me it's too hot; I put it in my drawer, it tells me it's too dark
I put her in my underwear, it makes three little poops.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: GUEST,hunny
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 01:13 PM

hey everyone looking for a french song for my dogs as they like listening to they cute girls singing my dogs are called tutu knickers and bra. but not in a rude way

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 08:19 AM

VIVE L' ; AMOUR.

Laissez chaque bon camarade maintenant remplir son verre.
Compagnie de La de Vive !
Et boisson à la santé de sa classe glorieuse.
Compagnie de La de Vive !

Choeur :

La de Vive, La vive, l' vive ; amour !
La de Vive, La vive, l' vive ; amour !
Vive l' ; amour, l' vive ; amour,
Compagnie de La de Vive !

Laissez chaque homme marié boire à son épouse.
Compagnie de La de Vive !
La joie de sa poitrine et peste de sa vie.
Compagnie de La de Vive !

(Choeur)

Let' ; s remplissent nos verres et we' ; le ll ont un pain grillé. Compagnie de La de Vive !
Une santé à notre ami, notre digne hôte aimable.
Compagnie de La de Vive !

(Choeur)

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 08:22 AM

ALOUETTE

Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai la tete,
Je te plumerai la tete,
Et la tete, et la tete, OH!
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.

Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai le bec,
Je te plumerai le bec,
Et le bec, et le bec,
Et la tete, et la tete, OH!
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.

Répétition, employant :

Le nez; Le dos; Les jambes;
Les pieds; Les pattes; Le cou.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 09:45 AM

Frère de Jacques,
frère de Jacques, sommeil ? Sommeil ?
Resound avec le bâtard ceux ;
resound le cadeau de DIN métis DIN,
le cadeau DIN DIN.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Genie
Date: 24 May 11 - 01:36 PM

Mr Happy (Je veux dire, "Monsieur Heureuse")

Vouz avez ecrit les mots de "Michelle" wrong:

It's

"Michelle, ma belle,
Sunday monkey don't PLAY piano song,
Play piano song."

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Genie
Date: 24 May 11 - 01:45 PM

"Ah, Si Mon Moine Voulait Danser" is a song I didn't realize till recently is a song sung as part of a children's game.    The lyrics seem to be a young woman trying to entice a monk to dance with her, by promising to give him a rosary, a cowl, a sash, a musical instrument, and "many other things." But the chorus has a line about a mill running, and I think the game is connected to that

Here's a very 'rockin' version of As, Si Mon Moine Voulait Danser by Three Days' Grace.

Subject: RE: Looking for a simple French song
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 May 11 - 01:50 PM

A, mesdames, voila du bon fromage
Celui qui l'a fait il est de son village (bis)
Voila du bon fromage au lait
Il est du pays de celui qui l'a fait

And there are tons of versions of the song with the ducks on the pond and the king's son...