French Music – A song for Christmas Posted by Tim Hildreth on Dec 15, 2020 in Culture, Music, Vocabulary
Christmas is a time for joy and the season is full decorations, songs, and festive treats to remind us of that fact. But la Noël et la Saint-Sylvestre can also be melancolie. While les souvenirs des fêtes passées1memories of past holidays can keep us warm, they can also, as in this song, remind us of missed opportunities.
Image from Pixabay. Licensed under CC0.
Le dernier Noël2Le or la Noël? See here to find out more.
Like the great Christmas classic “Last Christmas” by Wham!, Le dernier Noël3While similar, the title of this song actually means The last Christmas, not be confused with last Christmas/the Christmas last year which in French would be Noël dernier seems to recount some nostalgia for a past Christmas, perhaps the last one a couple spent together as a couple.
In any case, it’s a catchy alternative jingle for the holiday season (and a good example of Le French Touch … if you like it, you can check out more from the French-Canadian electro-pop group Le Couleur4Couleur is usually feminine in French. on Spotify and other streaming services).
| Ferme les yeux | Close your eyes |
| Mais ne dors pas | But don’t sleep |
| Je t’en prie | I’m asking you (can also mean you’re welcome or please … ) |
| Je fais le vœu | I make a wish |
| Un cadeau sous le sapin | A pressent underneath the Christmas tree |
| Tes jolis seins | Your pretty breasts |
| Qui nous indiquent | Showing us |
| Le Chemin | The way |
| Noël | Christmas |
| Une maison | A house |
| Entourée de décorations | Surrounded by ornaments |
| Berçant le Nouvel An | Cradling the New Year |
| Tu dansais | You danced / were dancing |
| Te servais des punchs mortels | Serving yourself more of that deadly punch |
| Sous le gui | Beneath the mistletoe |
| Des baisers nous étaient permis | We allowed ourselves to kiss |
| Les douze coups de minuit | The twelve strokes of midnight |
| Annoncèrent le départ | Announcing time to leave |
| Boules de neige | Snow balls |
| Alignées sur la table de miroir | Lined up on the mirrored table |
| Restez bien sage | Behave yourself |
| Dans le froid de cette belle nuit | In the cold of this beautiful night |
| Derniers aveux | Last admissions |
| Des confettis de confessions | A confetti of confessions |
| Tout est joyeux | Everything is joyous |
| Chantez en chœur un Alléluia | Sing a choir of Halleluiahs |
| Noël, Jingle Bell | Christmas, Jingle Bell |
| Refrain jusqu’à la fin | Chorus to the end |
Et vous? Quelles sont vos chansons de Noël modernes? / And you? What are your favorite contemporary Christmas songs?
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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:
M. Ann Waddicor:
Ce n’ai pas un chanson, mais peut être un jour!
Merci pour votre intéressent mail. Je ne peut pas ecriver bon Francais pardon.
Corona Christmas
We see and smile – gesticulate
but cannot touch
we long for hugs and kisses
beside the fire we sit
expecting stars to shine
as frost prepares a canopy of white
turn out the light and watch the land
its undulating fields so bland
are all aglow tonight
Christmas decorations hang
and catch the light
reflect in windows bright – shine out
and spread this sense of joy we feel
give smiles to one and all
as each comes close enough to know
that they are counted too
and if alone are warmed
by friendly faces all about
songs for the devout
ring out across the silent landscape
its spirit raised in bush and tree
where hide the little birds
and even foxes turn an ear to hear
as do the patient deer
they sense the feeling of good cheer
A Happy Christmas
it is the time of year we celebrate
and then we wish A Happy New Year
with love and good wishes from Ann
M. Ann Waddicor 2020 Christmas time
Tim Hildreth:
@M. Ann Waddicor Merci Ann pour ces belles pensées. Whether in English or en francais, we can all use a little compassion and hope for the future. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année to you and all those you hold dear.