A La Claire Fontaine
Grégoire Lyrics

The song "A la claire fontaine" by Grégoire is a poetic and nostalgic ballad about love, nature, and the sorrow of unrequited affection. The singer shares his memories of a walk by a clear spring, where he was tempted by the beauty of the water and took a bath. He then found refuge under an oak tree, where a nightingale was singing. The singer addresses the bird, asking him to keep singing, as he himself is absorbed by sadness and tears. He then reveals that he lost his beloved due to a foolishness of refusing her a rose, and regrets not being able to revive their love and happiness.

The lyrics of "A la claire fontaine" are rich in imagery and metaphor, conveying a sense of longing for an idyllic past that cannot be recovered. The clear fountain and the oak tree with their leaves serve as symbols of purity, strength, and longevity, providing a contrast to the fleetingness and fragility of human emotions. The nightingale's song, associated with joy and love, highlights the singer's inner turmoil and the impossibility of escaping from it. The final stanza expresses the desire for a reunion with the lost love, but also suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of the fate that separates them.