AU CHANT DE L'ALOUETTE
Les Karrik Lyrics
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On m'envoie–t–aux champs, c'est pour y cueillir
Je n'ai point cueilli, j'ai cherché des nids
Au chant de l'alouette je veille et je dors
J'écoute l'alouette et puis je m'endors
Je n'ai point cueilli, j'ai cherché des nids
Je n'ai point cueilli, j'ai cherché des nids
J'ai trouvé la caille, assise sur son nid
J'ai trouvé la caille, assise sur son nid
Je lui marchai sur l'aile et la lui rompis
Je lui marchai sur l'aile et la lui rompis
Je lui marchai sur l'aile et la lui rompis
Elle m'a dit: "Pucelle, retire–toi d'ici!"
Elle m'a dit: "Pucelle, retire–toi d'ici!"
Elle m'a dit: "Pucelle, retire–toi d'ici!"
"Je ne suis pas pucelle que je lui répondis."
The lyrics of "Au chant de l'alouette" by Les Karrik depict a young girl who has been sent to the fields to pick fruit or possibly work as a farmhand. However, instead of working, she spends her time listening to the larks singing while looking for bird nests. She mentions that she has not picked any fruit, but has found a quail sitting on her nest, which the girl accidentally steps on and breaks its wings. The quail then speaks to her and tells her to leave.
The song is a reflection of the joy that can be found in the natural world, as well as the innocence of youth. The girl is not interested in the work she has been sent to do and instead revels in the sounds and sights of nature, such as the larks' singing and the discovery of bird nests. The incident with the quail serves as a warning of the consequences of carelessness, even if it is accidental. The quail speaks as a wise and dignified creature, urging the girl to leave and protecting its eggs from further harm.
Overall, "Au chant de l'alouette" is a charming and lyrical representation of the connection between young people and the natural world, with its beauty and conflicts alike.
Line by Line Meaning
On m'envoie–t–aux champs, c'est pour y cueillir
I am sent to the fields to gather crops
Je n'ai point cueilli, j'ai cherché des nids
Instead of gathering crops, I search for nests
Au chant de l'alouette je veille et je dors
I am soothed by the lark's song day and night
Je n'ai point cueilli, j'ai cherché des nids
Again, I emphasize that I do not collect crops
J'ai trouvé la caille, assise sur son nid
I found a quail sitting on its nest
Je lui marchai sur l'aile et la lui rompis
I accidentally stepped on and broke her wing
Elle m'a dit: "Pucelle, retire–toi d'ici!"
The quail exclaimed, "Maiden, leave this place!"
"Je ne suis pas pucelle que je lui répondis."
I replied, "I am not a maiden."
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.