Les Bateliers De La Volga
Paul Mauriat Lyrics


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Ah! que l'aube est triste au vieux haleur
Sous la bise qui lui fend le coeur
La corde crisse, les eaux gémissent
Barques au front pesant
Glissent dans le vent.
Hole tire, marche tire
La corde t'usera les mains et les bras
Hola tire, marche tire
De l'aube jusqu'au soir, tire sans espoir Ah! les rêves bleus qui m'ont bercés,
Ah! jeunesse et fleurs du temps passé
Tire les chaînes, tire tes peines,




Adieu les jours enfuis
Tire sans merci.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Paul Mauriat's song Les Bateliers De La Volga describe the melancholic and grueling life of the barge haulers who pull boats along the Volga river. The first verse paints a picture of the harshness of their job, even as the dawn breaks. The cold winds cut through the hearts of the old hauler as he pulls the rope and listens to the miserable groans of the river. The heavy-burdened boats slide in the wind, as he tirelessly pulls and walks, with the sound of the rope creaking and his joints aching. He continues to pull from dawn until dusk, with no hope of seeing his dreams and youth restored.


In the second verse, the lyrics delve into the memories of the hauler and his lost past, filled with dreams and better times. He is now consumed with the job at hand, and tirelessly pulls the chains and carries his burdens, saying goodbye to his fleeting youth and fond days gone by. The song expresses the work ethic and sacrifice of the boat haulers and recognizes the tireless effort required by them, while also capturing a sense of nostalgia and regret.


Line by Line Meaning

Ah! que l'aube est triste au vieux haleur
Oh! how sad dawn is for the old hauler


Sous la bise qui lui fend le coeur
Under the wind that pierces his heart


La corde crisse, les eaux gémissent
The rope creaks, the waters moan


Barques au front pesant
Boats with heavy loads in front


Glissent dans le vent.
Glide in the wind


Hole tire, marche tire
Haul and pull, walk and pull


La corde t'usera les mains et les bras
The rope will wear out his hands and arms


Hola tire, marche tire
Hey pull, walk and pull


De l'aube jusqu'au soir, tire sans espoir
From dawn until evening, pull without hope


Ah! les rêves bleus qui m'ont bercés,
Oh! the blue dreams that rocked me


Ah! jeunesse et fleurs du temps passé
Oh! youth and flowers of the past


Tire les chaînes, tire tes peines,
Pull the chains, pull your sorrows


Adieu les jours enfuis
Farewell to the days gone by


Tire sans merci.
Pull without mercy




Writer(s): Paul Julien Andre Mauriat, Raymond Louis Auguste Lefebvre

Contributed by Owen G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Estéfana A. H.

Esto es bellísimo 💕

Name Lastname

Прекрасная версия. Спасибо.

Claudio Costa

Magnifique...

Cantabric Sea

Muchas gracias por sus comentarios, Claudio. Son los seguidores como usted los que nos animan a seguir día a día con este canal de YouTube. Si está interesado en la música de Paul Mauriat, puede visitar nuestra página amiga en facebook "Paul Mauriat Orchestra". https://es-es.facebook.com/Paul-Mauriat-Orchestra-294535711722/

Claudio Costa

Muito obrigado, é preciso preservar este tipo de musica, são musicas sentimentais com um enorme talento em arranjos magnificos. Continue, estarei sempre visitando a sua pagina no youtube e facebook.

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