An Alternative French Christmas Song Posted by Tim Hildreth on Dec 14, 2021 in Holidays, Music
It’s become a bit of a tradition at this time of year for me to share une chanson de Noël française un peu different. Just in time I discovered a fun one from the Québécoise singer Cœur de Pirate … so without further ado, I hope you enjoy this alternative French Christmas song!
Photo CC0 from Nikolina at www.Pexels.com
Parfait Noël
| J’ai vu la neige se poser | I saw the snow settle |
| Comme un nouveau vent peut amener | Like a new wind that brings |
| Des espoirs d’une meilleure année | Hopes for a better year |
| Et le silence s’étend alors que je vois tous les enfants | And the silence spreads while I watch all the children |
| Qui attendent leurs vœux s’exaucer | Waiting for their wishes to be granted |
| Mais moi je regarde le bonheur d’un œil effaré | But I watch it all appalled |
| Et le mal de cœur est monté | And I start to feel ill |
| Car sur ma liste pour père Noël je n’ai que souhaité | Because on my Christmas list/list for Santa I only have one wish |
| Qu’un beau malheur puisse t’arriver | That something awful happen to you |
| Et pour Noël je voudrais couper le fond de tes bas1Usually refers to tights, but here is more generally referring to socks | And for Christmas I’d like to cut off the ends of your socks |
| Laisser de l’eau geler, faire une patinoire chez toi | Let the water freeze and make an ice rink at your place |
| J’aimerais que tu attendes à tout jamais que je t’appelle | I would like you to wait forever for me to call you |
| Passer mon temps à brûler ce qu’il reste de ta chandelle2An archaic term for candle, today you’re more likely to see bougie in general use | Spend my time burning what’s left of your candle |
| Car c’est Noël | Because it’s Christmas |
| Un parfait Noël pour moi | A perfect Christmas for me |
| C’est la misère pour toi | Is misery and ruin for you |
| Un parfait Noël pour moi | A perfect Christmas for me |
| On m’a toujours dit que j’ai tout un tempérament | Everyone is always telling me that I have an attitude |
| Et que le temps agit toujours comme le meilleur pansement | And that time heals all things [lit. time acts as the best bandage] |
| Mais on sait tous les deux que je ne suis pas très patiente | But we both know that I’m not very patient |
| J’ai peut-être versé du vin chaud dans toutes tes plates-bandes | I may have poured wine in all your flower beds |
| Mais moi je regarde le bonheur d’un œil effaré | But all this happiness makes me appalled |
| Et le mal de cœur est monté | And I am feeling nauseated |
| Car sur ma liste pour père Noël je n’ai que souhaité | Because the only thing I wished for on my list for Santa |
| Qu’un beau malheur puisse t’arriver | Is that something awful happens to you |
| Et pour Noël je voudrais couper le fond de tes bas | And for Christmas I’d like to cut off the ends of your socks |
| Laisser de l’eau geler, faire une patinoire chez toi | Let the water freeze and make an ice rink at your place |
| J’aimerais que tu attendes à tout jamais que je t’appelle | I would like you to wait forever for me to call you |
| Passer mon temps à brûler ce qu’il reste de ta chandelle | Spend my time burning what’s left of your candle |
| Car c’est Noël | Because it’s Christmas |
| Un parfait Noël pour moi | A perfect Christmas for me |
| C’est la misère pour toi | Is misery for you |
| Un parfait Noël pour moi | A perfect Christmas for me |
Décorations de Noël
If you need a little more traditional Christmas joy, the website Vivre Paris has released it’s list of the plus belles illuminations gratuites à Paris3list of top free holiday lights in Paris. You’ll find a number of the displays I’ve highlighted over the last few weeks along with a a few others here.
- 1Usually refers to tights, but here is more generally referring to socks
- 2An archaic term for candle, today you’re more likely to see bougie in general use
- 3list of top free holiday lights in Paris
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About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.
Comments:
Mick:
Loved the coeure de pirate track – brilliant!. Shared it with my tutor of french – she loved it too. Thanks!
Tim Hildreth:
@Mick Merci!