French group, created in Lyon, France in 1941 under the name Compagnons de … Read Full Bio ↴French group, created in Lyon, France in 1941 under the name Compagnons de la Musique. The name was changed in 1946 to Compagnons de la Chanson. The group included 9 singers who each had additional roles (such as lyrics). In 1944 they met Edith Piaf who would become their strongest supporter. recorded and performed many French songs, at first from the popular folk music but later with more modern music and lyrics. They toured in the USA in the late 1960's as well as, among others, Canada, Japan, Israel, Lebanon, Brazil, Africa, the UK, Italy and more. Their "last, goodbye" concert was in 1980 but they continued to sing and perform until 1985.

Members through the years:

Jean Albert (February 1946 - September 1956)
Guy Bourguignon (February 1946 - December 1969)
Jean Broussolle (March 1952 - December 1972) (Replaced Marc Herrand)
Paul Buissonneau (September 1946 - September 1950)
Jean-Pierre Calvet (September 1956 - 1984) (Replaced Jean Albert)
Gaston M. Cassez (January 1973 - February 1985) (Replaced Jean Broussolle)
Jean Driant (March 1946 - May 1946)
Jo Frachon (February 1946 - February 1985)
Marc Herrand (February 1946 - March 1952)
Mario Hirle (February 1952 - April 1953) (Replaced Gérard Sabbat) (1955, Replaced Jo Frachon occasionally)
Jean-Louis Jaubert (February 1946 - February 1985)
Hubert Lancelot (February 1946 - February 1985)
Fred Mella (February 1946 - February 1985) (10 March 1924 - 16 November 2019)
René Mella (September 1950 - February 1985)
Paul Mery (1984 - February 1985) (Replaced Jean-Piere Calvet)
Gérard Sabbat (February 1946 - February 1985)

Aux marches du palais
Les Compagnons de la Chanson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aux marches du palais, aux marches du palais,
Y'a un' tant belle fille, lon la,
Y'a un' tant belle fille.

Elle a tant d'amoureux, elle a tant d'amoureux,
Qu'elle ne sait lequel prendre, lon la,
Qu'elle ne sait lequel prendre.

C'est un p'tit cordonnier...
Qu'a z'eu la préférence...

C'est en la l'y chaussant...
Qu'il lui fit sa demande...

La belle, si tu voulais...
Nous dormirions ensemble...

Dans un grand lit carré...
Couvert de toiles blanches...

Aux quatre coins du lit...
Un bouquet de pervenches...

Dans le mitan du lit...
La rivière est profonde...

Tous les chevaux du roi...
Pourraient y boire ensemble...

Et nous serions heureux...
Jusqu'à la fin du monde...

Overall Meaning

The song "Aux marches du palais" by Les Compagnons de la Chanson features a conversation between two people about a beautiful girl who has many suitors. The first verse introduces the girl at the steps of the palace, and notes her beauty. The second verse describes the problem of the girl having too many suitors to choose from.

The song then transitions to a man's perspective, who is a shoemaker. He has presumably won the affections of the girl because he "had the preference." The man proposes to the girl while he is fitting her shoes, saying that they should sleep together in a large bed covered with white sheets and decorated with flowers. He promises that they will be happy together, even if the whole world ends.

Overall, the song portrays a romantic relationship, albeit one that might be considered somewhat scandalous for the time period in which it was written. It also carries the theme of the beauty of the palace and the luxuries that come along with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Aux marches du palais, aux marches du palais,
At the steps of the palace, at the steps of the palace,

Y'a un' tant belle fille, lon la,
There's such a beautiful girl, believe me,

Elle a tant d'amoureux, elle a tant d'amoureux,
She has so many lovers, so many lovers,

Qu'elle ne sait lequel prendre, lon la,
She doesn't know which one to choose, believe me,

C'est un p'tit cordonnier...
He's a small shoemaker...

Qu'a z'eu la préférence...
Who had the preference...

C'est en la l'y chaussant...
It was while he was fitting her shoes...

Qu'il lui fit sa demande...
That he proposed to her...

La belle, si tu voulais...
Beautiful, if you wanted...

Nous dormirions ensemble...
We would sleep together...

Dans un grand lit carré...
In a big square bed...