Learn French with music : how to sing French spring

Spring, spring, spring… C’est le Printemps!

I decided this new thing: every month I will share a song with you! I’ll tell you a little bit about the singer, give you the lyrics in French, and the English translation. Why? Because singing is one of my favorite ways to learn and incorporate a foreign language. Hopefully the same applies to you!

Last month I taught you how to sing French love, this month I’ll show you how to sing French spring with… le grand Léo Ferré!

Léo Ferré is one of France’s most beloved 20th century artists: he was a singer, poet, and composer. There is no way a Francophile like you can get away with not knowing Léo Ferré, he is a crucial part of our rebellious culture.

Born in the middle of WW1, he started his career soon after WW2 and sang until his death on July 14th (seriously!) 1993.

The song you are about to hear is called C’est le printemps, how appropriate! Also I’m sure you’ll notice the difference in the hairdo… it’s from 1964, so he is much younger than on the pictures here. And don’t you love his teeth? Too cute!

C’est le printemps

Y a la nature qu’est tout en sueur – There’s nature drenched in sweat Dans les hectares y a du bonheur – In the acres there’s happiness

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a des lilas qu’ont même plus le temps – There are lilacs that no longer even have time De se faire tout mauves ou bien tout blancs – To become all mauve or all white

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a du blé qui se fait du mouron – There’s wheat worrying Les oiseaux eux ils disent pas non – The birds, them, gladly accepting

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a nos chagrins qu’ont des couleurs – There are our sorrows with colors Y a même du printemps chez le malheur – There’s even some spring in misery

Y a la mer qui se prend pour Monet – There’s the sea pretending to be Monet Ou pour Gauguin ou pour Manet – Gauguin or Manet

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a des nuages qui n’ont plus de quoi – There are clouds that no longer afford On dirait de la barbe à papa – It looks like cotton candy

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a le vent du nord qu’a pris l’accent – There’s the northern wind that put on a (southern) accent Avec Mistral il passe son temps – With Mistral (it’s a southern wind) he spends his time

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a la pluie qu’est passée chez Dior – There’s the rain that went by Dior Pour se payer le modèle Soleil d’Or – To buy the model Sun of Gold

Y a la route qui se fait nationale – There’s the road becoming national Et des fourmis qui se font la malle – and ants hitting the road

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a de la luzerne au fond des lits – There’s alfalfa at the bottom of beds Et puis le faucheur qui lui sourit – and then the reaper smiling at it

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a des souris qui se font les dents – There are mice cleaning their teeth Sur les matous par conséquent – on tomcats consequently

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a des voix d’or dans un seul cri – There are golden voices in one cry alone C’est la Sixtine qui sort la nuit – it’s the Sistine going out at night

Y a la nature qui se tape un bol – There’s nature having a drink A la santé du rossignol – to the nightingale’s health

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a le Beaujolais qui la ramène – There’s the Beaujolais showing off Et Mimi qui se prend pour Carmen – and Mimi playing Carmen

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a l’île Saint-Louis qui rentre en Seine – There’s l’île Saint-Louis appearing on stage (play on word: Seine, the river, sounds like scène, the stage) Et puis Paris qui s’y promène – and Paris strolling there

C’est le printemps – It’s spring time

Y a l’été qui se pointe dans la rue – There is summer showing up on the street Et des ballots qui n’ont pas vu – and some idiots who haven’t seen

Que c’était le printemps – that it was spring time

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And now a little bonus because… why not!!

One of his most famous songs: Avec le Temps

Warning, it is intensely sad. But intensely beautiful. You know us French, poetic sadness makes us happy!

I chose this particular video because it has lyrics on it! Tellement pratique!

And people always ask me “How do I find the lyrics of a song?”. So easy: type the title of the song and the name of the singer in Google and boom.

#Frenchsong #SingFrench #Springsong #Cestleprintemps #LéoFerré