After the very famous song Mon amant de Saint-Jean (my lover from Saint-Jean), in 1942, Lucienne Delyle became the most popular French female singer of 1950s.
Born in Paris, she was a fully educated pharmacist. First she sung as an amateur singer, until 1939, when she was heard and immediately engaged by Jacques Canetti, the artistic director of Radio Cité. In 1940 she married the jazzman Aimé Barelli (1917-1995), who guided her career ever since. With him she had a daughter, Minouche Barelli (1947-2004). After the immense success of the song "Mon amant de Saint-Jean" (My Lover From Saint-Jean), in 1942, Lucienne Delyle became the most popular French female singer in France. She was most popular during the 1950s. In 1953, Bruno Coquatrix invited her and young Gilbert Bécaud to be the stars for the gala opening concert at the „Olympia". Delyle's career declined rapidly in the end of the 1950s, due to the progress of the leukemia she suffered from. In 1960 she gave the last series of concerts on the stage of „Bobino". She died in Monte Carlo, in 1962.
Mon P'tit Bal Rigolo
Lucienne Delyle Lyrics
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Y’a des bonjours des encores, des toujours, des quand même
On se grise d’un rien en grignotant un brin d’amourette
Pour le prix d’un printemps
On se paye un serment de guinguette
Le petit Dieu de l’Amour grimpe au mât de cocagne
D’un serpentin
Je dessine un château en Espagne
Un apprenti sorcier
Qui sourit là-haut
Cherche mon cœur accroché au petit bal rigolo
Deux tourterelles dorment dans le piano
Battant des ailes quand le patron joue faux
Moi je lis dans ta main,
Ce que dit le destin
Bonnes gens
Dans vingt-ans
Noces d’argent à Nogent
Dans mon petit bal, mon petit bal rigolo, comme on s’aime
Y’a des bonjours des encores, des toujours, des quand même
Quand je danse avec toi ça fait les chevaux de bois dans ma tête
Allume ton clignotant
J’ai le cœur au tournant de la fête
Au PMU de l’Amour, les gagnants ont des ailles
Et l’arrivée, c’est toujours à l’ombre des tonnelles
Je t’emporte à moitié
Et l’apprenti sorcier
Qui nous sourit là-haut
Garde mon cœur accroché au petit bal rigolo
The lyrics of Lucienne Delyle's song "Mon P'tit Bal Rigolo" depict a joyful and romantic atmosphere found in a small town dance hall. The singer emphasizes the love and happiness that exists within this setting. The song opens with the description of how much love is shared in this little ballroom, with greetings and continuous affection. The simplicity of this love is highlighted through the mentioning of small gestures and actions, as they indulge in the sweetness of a little fling. It is as if they are sacrificing a little bit of their own happiness in order to experience a magical moment together.
The lyrics further describe the playful and dreamlike nature of their encounter. The metaphorical reference to the God of Love climbing the mast of a pole surrounded with streamers represents the excitement and intensity of their passion. The mention of drawing castles in Spain and an apprentice sorcerer in the chestnut trees bring a whimsical and fantastical element to the song. It suggests that they are engaged in a romantic fantasy and that love has the power to transport them to a different world.
Overall, "Mon P'tit Bal Rigolo" captures the essence of a carefree and enchanting love affair, taking place in a small dance hall where the simple pleasures of love and affection are cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
Dans mon petit bal, mon petit bal rigolo, comme on s’aime
In my little ball, my little funny ball, how we love each other
Y’a des bonjours des encores, des toujours, des quand même
There are hellos, encores, always, anyway
On se grise d’un rien en grignotant un brin d’amourette
We get intoxicated with nothing while nibbling on a little romance
Pour le prix d’un printemps
For the price of a spring
On se paye un serment de guinguette
We make a promise of a guinguette
Le petit Dieu de l’Amour grimpe au mât de cocagne
The little God of Love climbs the maypole
D’un serpentin
With a serpent
Je dessine un château en Espagne
I draw a castle in Spain
Et dans les marronniers,
And in the chestnut trees
Un apprenti sorcier
An apprentice sorcerer
Qui sourit là-haut
Who smiles up there
Cherche mon cœur accroché au petit bal rigolo
Looks for my heart attached to the little funny ball
Deux tourterelles dorment dans le piano
Two turtledoves sleep in the piano
Battant des ailes quand le patron joue faux
Flapping their wings when the boss plays wrong
Moi je lis dans ta main,
As for me, I read in your hand
Ce que dit le destin
What destiny says
Bonnes gens
Good people
Dans vingt-ans
In twenty years
Noces d’argent à Nogent
Silver wedding in Nogent
Dans mon petit bal, mon petit bal rigolo, comme on s’aime
In my little ball, my little funny ball, how we love each other
Y’a des bonjours des encores, des toujours, des quand même
There are hellos, encores, always, anyway
Quand je danse avec toi ça fait les chevaux de bois dans ma tête
When I dance with you, it spins the carousel in my head
Allume ton clignotant
Turn on your blinker
J’ai le cœur au tournant de la fête
I have my heart at the turning point of the party
Au PMU de l’Amour, les gagnants ont des ailes
At the Love PMU, the winners have wings
Et l’arrivée, c’est toujours à l’ombre des tonnelles
And the arrival is always in the shade of the arbors
Je t’emporte à moitié
I take you away halfway
Et l’apprenti sorcier
And the apprentice sorcerer
Qui nous sourit là-haut
Who smiles at us up there
Garde mon cœur accroché au petit bal rigolo
Keeps my heart attached to the little funny ball
Lyrics © BEUSCHER ARPEGE
Written by: Jacques BOREL, Henri CONTET, Aime BARELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind