Si tu veux savoir ma belle,
Où s'envole à tire d'aile,
L'oiseau qui chantait sur l'ormeau?
Je te le dirai, ma belle,
Il vole vers qui l'appelle,
Vers celui-là
Qui l'aimera!
Si tu veux savoir ma blonde,
Pourquoi sur terre et sur l'onde
La nuit tout s'anime et s'unit?
Je te le dirai ma blonde,
C'est qu'il est une heure au monde
Où loin du jour
Veille l'amour!
Si tu veux savoir Sylvie,
Pourquoi j'aime à la folie
Tes yeux brillants et langoureux?
Je te le dirai Sylvie.
C'est que sans toi dans la vie
Tout pour mon cœur
N'est que douleur.
If you want to know my fair one,
whither, on strong wings, the bird
which was singing on the elm is flying?
I shall tell you, my fair one,
it is flying to the one who calls it,
towards the one
who will love it!
If you want to know my blond one,
why, on earth and on the waves,
the very night grows alive and smooth?
I shall tell you, my blond one,
it is because there is an hour in the world
when, far from day,
love keeps watch!
If you want to know Sylvie,
why I madly love
your brilliant and languorous eyes?
I shall tell you Sylvie.
It is that without you in life
all is but pain
for my heart.
© translated by Christopher Goldsack
This song is included in the Singing in French vol2 anthology and a score and accompaniment can be downloaded from the site shop in several keys.
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