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)

Gondolier
Les Compagnons de la Chanson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

1- La la la la la la
La la la la
La la la la (2x)
Gondolier,
T'en souviens-tu,
Les pieds nus
Sur ta gondole
Tu chantais

La barcarolle
Tu chantais
Pour lui et moi
Lui et moi
Tu te rappelles
Lui et moi
C'était écrit
Pour la vie
La vie si belle
Gondolier

2-Quand tu chantais la la la la la...
Oui, je t'aime
De tout mon coeur
Oui, je t'aime
Et je t'adore
Prends mon coeur
Et si tu m'aimes
Je t'aimerai
Bien plus encore
Cet air-là
Était le nôtre
Gondolier
Si tu le vois
Dans les bras
Les bras d'une autre

Gondolier
Ne chante pas

Overall Meaning

The song Gondolier, originally performed by Les Compagnons De La Chanson, is a nostalgic ballad that tells the story of a gondolier who used to sing love songs for a couple, including the singer, as they rode along the canals of Venice. The song begins with the repetition of "La la la" which creates a soft and dreamlike atmosphere, reminiscent of the gentle sound of water lapping against a boat's hull. The singer addresses the gondolier, asking him if he remembers the time when they used to ride on his gondola with bare feet, listening to his beautiful singing of the barcarolle. The gondolier's voice is described as an instrument of romance, setting the stage for the love story that unfolds throughout the song.

The second verse reinforces the love story between the couple and the importance of the gondolier's singing in their lives. The singer confesses her love for her partner, urging the gondolier not to sing if he sees her in the arms of another. The song concludes with a final acknowledgement of the gondolier's central role in the story, capturing the timeless essence of Venice and its gondoliers.

Line by Line Meaning

La la la la la la
Repetitive sounds used to create a musical rhythm

La la la la
Continuation of a musical rhythm

La la la la
Repetition of the musical rhythm

Gondolier, T'en souviens-tu, Les pieds nus Sur ta gondole
Gondolier, do you remember? Barefoot on your gondola

Tu chantais La barcarolle Tu chantais Pour lui et moi Lui et moi
You sang the barcarolle for him and me, him and me

Tu te rappelles Lui et moi C'était écrit Pour la vie La vie si belle Gondolier
You remember him and me, it was written for life, life so beautiful, Gondolier

Quand tu chantais la la la la la... Oui, je t'aime De tout mon coeur Oui, je t'aime Et je t'adore
When you sang la la la la la, yes I love you with all my heart, yes I love you and adore you

Prends mon coeur Et si tu m'aimes Je t'aimerai Bien plus encore
Take my heart and if you love me, I will love you even more

Cet air-là Était le nôtre Gondolier
That tune was ours, Gondolier

Si tu le vois Dans les bras Les bras d'une autre Gondolier
If you see him in someone else's arms, Gondolier

Ne chante pas
Don't sing

Writer(s): Peter De Angelis, Jean Broussolle, Bob Marcucci

Contributed by Taylor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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