Alouette
Bourvil Lyrics
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Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai la tete,
Je te plumerai la tete,
Et la tete, et la tete, OH!
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Je te plumerai le bec,
Je te plumerai le bec,
Et le bec, et le bec,
Et la tete, et la tete, OH!
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Repeat, using:
Le nez; Le dos; Les jambes;
Les pieds; Les pattes; Le cou.
The lyrics of Bourvil's song "Alouette" tell the story of someone who wishes to pluck a lark, a gentle lark, from its head to its feet. With each line, the person declares that they will pluck a different part of the lark's body, including its head, beak, nose, back, legs, feet, and wings. The repetition of "Alouette, gentile Alouette" throughout the song serves to emphasize the gentle nature of the bird and the brutality of the plucking process.
However, there is a deeper meaning beneath the seemingly innocent lyrics of this classic French children's song. "Alouette" may actually be a song about torture or revenge, rather than a playful tune about plucking a bird. In French history, "pluming" someone refers to the act of torturing them, often by pulling out individual feathers. Therefore, some interpreters believe that the song is being sung by someone seeking revenge against an enemy by threatening to torture and pluck them like a bird.
Line by Line Meaning
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Hello, kind Lark,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Hello, I will pluck you.
Je te plumerai la tete,
I will pluck your head,
Et la tete, et la tete, OH!
And your head, your head, oh!
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Hello, I will pluck you.
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Hello, kind Lark,
Je te plumerai le bec,
I will pluck your beak,
Et le bec, et le bec,
And your beak, your beak,
Et la tete, et la tete, OH!
And your head, your head, oh!
Alouette, gentile Alouette,
Hello, kind Lark,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Hello, I will pluck you.
Je te plumerai le nez;
I will pluck your nose;
Je te plumerai le dos;
I will pluck your back;
Je te plumerai les jambes;
I will pluck your legs;
Je te plumerai les pieds;
I will pluck your feet;
Je te plumerai les pattes;
I will pluck your paws;
Je te plumerai le cou.
I will pluck your neck.
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.