Retro French Music – Michel Fugain Posted by Tim Hildreth on Nov 5, 2019 in Culture, Music, Vocabulary
Michel Fugain is a French singer and songwriter who, with his ‘Big Bazar’, chanté l’insouciance et la joie de vivre (sang about being carefree and about the joys of living). This week, just for fun, a song from the early 1970’s that embodies this spirit (and will, I hope, tide you over until i have time to compile my thoughts from my recent weekend in France).
| Attention, mesdames et messieurs | Attention, ladies and gentlemen |
| Dans un instant on va commencer | In just a moment we’re going to begin |
| Installez-vous dans votre fauteuil bien gentiment | Please kindly take your seats |
| 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, partez, tous les projecteurs vont s’allumer | 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, Go! all the lights are going to come on |
| Et tous les acteurs vont s’animer en même temps | And all the actors are going to start at the same time |
| Attention, mesdames et messieurs | Attention, ladies and gentlemen |
| C’est important, on va commencer | It’s important, we’re going to begin |
| C’est toujours la même histoire depuis la nuit des temps | It’s the same story since the beginning of time (lit. the night of time) |
| L’histoire de la vie et de la mort | The story of life and death |
| Mais nous allons changer le décor | But we’re going to change the scenery |
| Espérons qu’on la jouera encore dans deux mille ans | Let’s hope it will still be playing in two thousand years |
| [Allez les filles!] | [Let’s go girls!] |
| Nous avons vingt ans et plein de chansons | We’re 20 years old and have lots of songs |
| Comme le printemps | Like the spring |
| Nous allons danser dans votre maison | We’re going to dance in your house |
| Notre pain est blanc, notre vin est bon | Our bread is white, our wine is good |
| Si vous le voulez | If you want |
| C’est de bon cœur que nous partagerons | We will gladly share |
| Attention, mesdames et messieurs | Attention, ladies and gentlemen |
| Dans un instant, ça va commencer | In a moment it’s going to start |
| Nous vous demandons évidemment d’être indulgents | Please be patient with us |
| Le spectacle n’est pas bien rôdé | The show hasn’t been perfected yet |
| Laissez-nous encore quelques années | Give us a few more years |
| Il ne pourrait que s’améliorer au fil du temps | It can only get better with time |
| Attention, mesdames et messieurs | Attention, ladies and gentlemen |
| Dans un instant, ça va commencer | In a moment, it will begin |
| Installez-vous dans votre fauteuil bien gentiment | Settle into your seats |
| 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, partez, tous les projecteurs vont s’allumer | 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, Go, all the projectors are illuminated |
| Et tous les acteurs vont s’animer en même temps | And all the actors are going to start at the same time |
| Nous avons vingt ans et plein de chansons | We’re 20 years old and have lots of songs |
| Comme le printemps | Like the springtime |
| Nous allons danser dans votre maison | We’re going to dance in your home |
| Notre pain est blanc, notre vin est bon | Our bread is white, our wine is good |
| Si vous le voulez | If you want |
| C’est de bon cœur que nous partagerons | We will gladly share |
| Attention, mesdames et messieurs | Attention, ladies and gentlemen |
| Dans un instant, on va commencer | In a moment, we’re going to begin |
| Il se peut que vous soyez choqués de temps en temps | It’s possible that you will be shocked from time to time |
| Mais surtout ne vous inquiétez pas | But please don’t worry |
| N’allez pas faire des signes de croix | No got making the sign of the cross |
| Et rappelez-vous qu’un jour vous avez eu vingt ans | And remember that you too once were 20 |
Featured photo by Scott Webb from Pexels
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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.