ADD: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)

Subject: Another Seine Song
From:
Date: 08 Jul 98 - 09:36 PM

In the twelfth grade (eons ago) I was in the Cercle Francais of my High School and we learned a song about the Seine. I can only partially remember the chorus and, while I have found other Seine songs at other sites, this one still eludes me. Is it familiar to anyone?

Elle recoule, coule, coule, de Pont Neuf jusgu'a ***
Elle est saoule, saoule, saoule, au souvenir de Bercy
Elle chante, chante, chante, chante, chante le jour et la nuit
Car la Seine est une amante, et son amant c'est Paris

(O.K. I admit it might not be a folk song but I don't know enough about it to decide)

Frank Phillips

Subject: RE: Another Seine Song
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 08 Jul 98 - 10:10 PM

G'day Frank,

I have a suspicion that your best Cercle Francais verse in French was the same (in loose translation) as the English song of the Seine which I sang here in Australia (alto soprano) in 1957.

The song began (in English, at least):

The Seine when she starts on her travels,

Lazily flows from her source (&c, &c, &c)

and the chorus ran:

And she's flowing, flowing, flowing, through the open country side,

And she's going, going, going, to meet Paris like a bride,

And she's cooing, cooing, cooing, like a murmuring dove,

For the River Seine is going, to meet Paris like her love.

Not much help with the French words, although I have a friend doing regular gigs for Alliance Francaise. If the words don't appear from some erudite francophone, I will pursue them. It won't hurt me to brush up on my schoolboy French!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Another Seine Song
From:
Date: 09 Jul 98 - 06:45 PM

Thanks Bob.

I'll bet you are right since the tempo and sentiments are very close.

Frank

Subject: ADDPOP: The River Seine (La Seine)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 09:15 PM

Well, I was looking for yet another Seine song, but what I found was this one.
-Joe Offer-

The River Seine
words by Allan Roberts and Alan Holt
Music by Guy LaFarge
Original French Text by Flavien Monod and Guy LaFarge
copyright 1948 & 1953

She goes flowing, flowing, flowing, Through the open countryside
For she's going, going, going, To meet Paris like a bride.
And she's cooing, cooing, cooing, Like the murmuring doves;
For the Seine has gone a-wooing, And it's Paris that she loves.

She goes singing, singing, singing, She's as happy as a bride;
And she's clinging, clinging, clinging, To the quays on either side;
She goes winding, winding, winding, Dizzy now in her bed;
For the River Seine is finding that her love goes to her head.

She goes gladly, gladly, gladly, While her love is in her arms;
And then sadly, sadly, sadly, As she leaves the city's charms;
And she carries, carries, carries, Sweet regret in her mind;
For the Seine's in love with Paris, And she's left her love behind.

source: The Most Fantastic Fakebook in the World (Warner)

Subject: Lyr Add: LA SEINE (Monod/Lafarge, 1948)
From: Amos
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 12:35 AM

This one is credited as shown but it is the one about how it flows, flows, flows:


LA SEINE
Paroles: Flavien Monod et Guy lafarge. Musique: Guy Lafarge   1948
© 1948 - Warner Chappell

La Seine est aventureuse
De Châtillon à Méry,
Et son humeur voyageuse
Flâne à travers le pays ...
Elle se fait langoureuse
De Juvisy à Choisy
Pour aborder, l'âme heureuse,
L'amoureux qu'elle a choisi !

Elle roucoule, coule, coule
Dès qu'elle entre dans Paris !
Elle s'enroule, roule, roule
Autour de ses quais fleuris !
Elle chante, chante, chante, chante,
Chant' le jour et la nuit,
Car la Seine est une amante
Et son amant c'est Paris !

Elle traîne d'île en île,
Caressant le Vieux Paris,
Elle ouvre ses bras dociles
Au sourire du roi Henri...
Indifférente aux édiles
De la mairie de Paris,
Elle court vers les idylles
Des amants des Tuileries !

Elle roucoule, coule, coule
Du Pont-Neuf jusqu'à Passy !
Elle est soûle, soûle, soûle
Au souvenir de Bercy !
Elle chante, chante, chante, chante,
Chant' le jour et la nuit...
Si sa marche est zigzagante
C'est qu'elle est grise à Paris !

Mais la Seine est paresseuse,
En passant près de Neuilly,
Ah ! comme elles est malheureuse
De quitter son bel ami !
Dans un étreinte amoureuse
Elle enlace encore Paris,
Pour lui laisser, généreuse,
Une boucle ... à Saint-Denis !

Elle roucoule, coule, coule
Sa complainte dans la nuit...
Elle roule, roule, roule
Vers la mer où tout finit...
Elle chante, chante, chante, chante,
Chant' l'amour de Paris !
Car la Seine est une amante
Et Paris dort dans son lit !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Another Seine Song
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 02:05 AM

Title "La Seine" at www.paroles.net.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Another Seine Song
From: Ferrara
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 12:46 PM

Amos, many thanks! -- Found this thread by following up another one, but this is the song I wanted. Had a friend, from Egypt of all places, who sang the verses for me when I was in college. I knew the chorus for some reason but have never found the verses again.

Rita Ferrara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Another Seine Song
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 09:30 PM

Posted by Anglo in another thread (71279)- sheet music in a French lot at EBay, 3734519218.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Another Seine Song (La Farge)
From: semi-submersible
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 03:38 PM

Thanks for the tip. I'll put in a minimum bid ($1.99+3.42+1.30 insurance). If I win (ends 2 days hence) can I have them mail it to someone here at Mudcat who can ABC the Seine melody?

If anyone else bids I won't get it, and won't mind.
Maureen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge
From: GUEST,Stephen Accordion
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:21 AM

They are they same. Josephine Baker sing French and English lyrics to the song on her album recorded 1959/1960

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:28 PM

Thanks for bringing up this wonderful song. I believe it will make a great melody for dulcimer.

(I can't believe that there isn't a MIDI of this somewhere on the Internet, but I've searched and can't find one.)

Here is the URL for a version of this song in German. It's interesting because it has both the verse melody and the chorus. It appears that the verses are in danger of going extinct. This happens so often - as time passes, we remember only the chorus of a song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v46fwXcFnTg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:43 PM

There is a midi karaoke of the entire song that was made by Dr. James Pitt Payne of London, England.

I have it in my posession and will send it to anyone who requests it.

Send me an e-mail to [e-mail] and I will send you the file by return e-mail. It is best played by the free program Van Basco (www.vanbasco.com) if you want to view all the words.

SOL

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 08:03 PM

I learned it as:

Elle coule, coule, coule, des qu'elle entre dans Paris
Elle s'en roule, roule, roule, autour de ces gais fleuris.

Elle chante, chante, chante, le jour et la nuit
Car la Seine est une amante and son amante est Paris.

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge
From: GUEST,Marguerite
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 11:03 PM

I've been searching searching searching for these lyrics! I am so grateful to have found them. I remember an approximation of the melody, but would like to have it firmly fixed in my mind and voice--I'd like to lead a"sing-along" of this song at a party that's coming up very soon.

Is there a CD on which someone sings the melody with these lovely words--all the flowing flowing and the cooing cooing--to help me?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 08:56 PM

Here's a link on YouTube. It's Jacqueline François singing. My mom used to play this record when I was a kid. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzKDEFNiTUQ

Subject: Lyr Add: THE RIVER SEINE (from Doris Day)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 02:49 AM

THE SEINE a.k.a. THE RIVER SEINE
As sung by Doris Day

The Seine when she starts on her travels,
Lazily flows from her source.
Slowly her length she unravels,
Twisting and turning her course.
Deep in the country she tarries,
Not knowing which way to go,
Till the enchantment of Paris
Beckons her swiftly to flow.

She goes flowing, flowing, flowing,
As she leaves the countryside,
For she's going, going, going,
To meet Paris like a bride;
And she's cooing, cooing, cooing, cooing,
Like the murmuring doves,
For the Seine has gone a-wooing,
And it's Paris that she loves.

She goes singing, singing, singing.
She's as happy as a bride,
And she's clinging, clinging, clinging,
To the banks on either side.
She goes winding, winding, winding, winding,
Dizzy now in her bed,
For the River Seine is finding
That her love goes to her head.

She goes gladly, gladly, gladly,
While her love is in her arms,
And then sadly, sadly, sadly,
As she leaves the city's charms;
And she carries, carries, carries, carries,
Sweet regret in her mind,
For the Seine's in love with Paris,
And she's left her love behind,
For the Seine's in love with Paris,
And she's left her love behind.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 26 Sep 15 - 01:08 PM

Here are a couple of more versions. There are videos of both versions on youtube.

The River Seine
by Josephine Baker (1960)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut3riL-1jU8

La Seine est aventureuse
De Châtillon à Méry,
Et son humeur voyageuse
Flâne à travers le pays ...
Elle se fait langoureuse
De Juvisy à Choisy
Pour aborder, l'âme heureuse,
L'amoureux qu'elle a choisi !

Elle roucoule, coule, coule
Dès qu'elle entre dans Paris !
Elle s'enroule, roule, roule
Autour de ses quais fleuris !
Elle chante, chante, chante, chante,
Chant' le jour et la nuit,
Car la Seine est une amante
Et son amant c'est Paris !

The Seine when she starts on her travels,
Lazily flows from her source.
Slowly her length she unravels,
Twisting and turning her course.
Deep in the country she tarries,
Not knowing which way to go,
Till the enchantment of Paris
Beckons her swiftly to flow.

She goes flowing, flowing, flowing,
Through the open countryside,
For she's going, going, going,
To meet Paris like a bride;
And she's cooing, cooing, cooing, cooing,
Like the murmuring doves,
For the Seine has gone a-wooing,
And it's Paris that she loves.

Elle chante, chante, chante, chante,
Chant' l'amour de Paris !
Car la Seine est une amante
Et Paris dort dans son lit !

--------

The River Seine
by Joni James (1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI2GhdTGSPU

There we met and there we parted
By the lovely river Seine
Two young lovers broken hearted
For we knew we'd loved in vain
And though years may go
Someday I know
She'll come to Paris again
And I'll find her where I lost her
By the lovely river Seine.

La Seine est aventureuse
De Châtillon à Méry,
Et son humeur voyageuse
Flâne à travers le pays ...
Elle se fait langoureuse
De Juvisy à Choisy
Pour aborder, l'âme heureuse,
L'amoureux qu'elle a choisi !

Elle roucoule, coule, coule
Dès qu'elle entre dans Paris !
Elle s'enroule, roule, roule
Autour de ses quais fleuris !
Elle chante, chante, chante, chante,
Chant' le jour et la nuit,
Car la Seine est une amante
Et son amant c'est Paris !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 12:09 PM

The Doris Day version is probably closest to the original French, but it is a little bit too chaste. This is a love song between the Seine and the city of Paris, but in true French fashion, it is no tale of bride and groom on the way to the altar, but a passionate affair between two lovers who are doomed to part when La Seine reaches the sea, where it all must end. Châtillon, Méry, Juvisy, Choisy, etc. are all landmarks along the Seine as it flows from the countryside, through Paris and the song describes the river's sentiments as she goes past each of these spots -- adventurous at the start, happy as she reaches Paris, caressing, embracing, and eventually zigzagging in a drunken stagger under the effects of Paris's spell. The ending, "La Seine est une amante et Paris dort dans son lit" translates as "The Seine is a lover and Paris sleeps in her bed."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 01:10 PM

But that isn't the ending I have ever heard sung, but always, as in the version before your post, Guest, "Et son amant, c'est Paris". Who sings/sang the "Paris dort dans son lit" version? I am sure that was not how Trenet used to sing it.

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 02:18 PM

Or was it Piaf?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: Monique
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 03:15 PM

Jacqueline François.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Oct 15 - 04:59 PM

Merci, Monique!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: GUEST,Applejuce
Date: 03 Feb 16 - 02:47 PM

The line in the Josephine Baker version which goes "Et son humeur voyageuse" translates on Google to "And his mood traveler". But that just doesn't make any sense. Josephine Baker's recording is my fave and I NEED to get that line right! LOL. Please help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 04 Feb 16 - 01:58 PM

son humeur voyageuse

his/her/its wandering mood

Perhaps you could say wandering spirit

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The River Seine (Roberts/Holt/LaFarge)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 05 Feb 16 - 06:24 AM

Other phrases;
I get the urge for going - Joni Mitchell
Got a mind to ramble - Tom Rush
I was born under a wandering star - Lee Marvin
I can't help but wonder where I'm bound - Tom Paxton
I'm the type of guy that likes to roam around - Dion