À la claire fontaine
Chansons et comptines Lyrics

The song “À la claire fontaine” is a traditional French folk song and is one of the most well-known and celebrated songs in French history. The song depicts a young man walking through the countryside and coming across a beautiful fountain where he takes a swim. The lyrics express the nostalgia of the singer towards a lost love, and he continues to sing about his love, sorrow, and regret.

The first verse describes the beauty of nature and the clear water of the fountain that attracts the singer to take a dip. The recurring refrain “Il y a longtemps que je t'aime jamais je ne t'oublierai” (I have loved you for so long, I will never forget you) highlights the singer's enduring love for his lost love.

The second verse takes place underneath the shade of a tree where the singer seeks solace and comfort. The rossignol (nightingale) sings, and the singer listens, but despite the bird's joyous melody, the singer feels sad and sorrowful.

The third verse highlights the loss of love, where the singer explains that he lost his lover because he refused to give her a single rose. The fourth and final verse laments the loss of love and expresses the desire for the rose to still be on the bush and for his lover to still love him.

Overall, “À la claire fontaine” is a beautifully written song that expresses love, loss, and the enduring nature of love.