L'Hymne Au Printemps
Félix Leclerc Lyrics

Félix Leclerc's song "Hymne au printemps" celebrates the arrival of spring after a long and harsh winter. The first verse describes the transition from winter to spring in agricultural terms, as the crops ripen and the land is wet after being covered in snow. The scene is set with a sense of quiet anticipation, as even the birds seem to have flown away. The second verse takes a more personal turn, as the singer reflects on his own hibernation during the winter, looking at photos of children playing in fields to pass the time. He also notes the emptiness of his birdhouses and the melancholy of the wind crying in his chimney, but he finds solace in composing an "hymne" to spring, which he dedicates to a woman who has left him. The third verse describes the joy of the singer's reunion with his love in the spring, as he welcomes her back to the renewed beauty of the world. He invites her to see the new flowers, the newborn animals, and the old rusty fence dressed up in spiderwebs. The imagery is full of hope and renewal, culminating in the magical sight of fairies dancing by the stream and the unexpected chorus of frogs singing about freedom.

The lyrics of "Hymne au printemps" are a testament to Félix Leclerc's deep love for nature and his ability to find comfort and inspiration in its cycles of rebirth. He uses vivid and sensory language to evoke the sights, sounds, and feelings of spring, while also weaving personal and emotional themes into the song. The contrast between the wintry scenes of emptiness and the blossoming images of new life creates a sense of contrast and transformation, as if the singer himself is emerging from a period of seclusion and heartbreak. The song is also notable for its use of traditional and folk-inspired musical elements, such as the guitar accompaniment and the melodic structure based on motifs and repetitions.