A La Claire Fontaine
The French Children's School Singers Lyrics
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J'ai trouvé l'eau si belle que je m'y suis baigné
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
Sous les feuilles d'un chêne, je me suis fait sécher
Sur la plus haute branche le rossignol chantait
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
Tu as le c¦ur à rire, moi, je l'ai à pleurer
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
J'ai perdu mon amie, sans l'avoir mérité
Pour un bouquet de roses que je lui refusai
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
Je voudrais que la rose fût encore à planter
Et que ma douce amie fût encore à m'aimer
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
The French Children's School Singers' song À la claire fontaine is a classic and timeless French folk song that has been passed down through generations. The song expresses the emotions and memories of a person who is reminiscing about a past love while taking a peaceful walk by a clear fountain. The lyrics describe a personal story of finding beauty in nature and the feeling of being lost in love.
The first verse begins with the singer describing how he discovered a beautiful fountain and decided to take a dip. He then goes on to say that he has been in love for a long time and will never forget his love. The second verse takes place under an oak tree, where the singer seeks shelter from the sun and listens to the nightingale sing its song. He then repeats that he will never forget his love. The third verse acknowledges the nightingale's happiness and contrasts it with the singer's sadness. Despite his heartache, the singer insists that he will never forget his love. The last verse recounts a moment where the singer lost his love because he refused to buy her roses. He then expresses his desire to plant more roses and have his love back.
Line by Line Meaning
A la claire fontaine, m'en allant promener
As I walked to the clear fountain.
J'ai trouvé l'eau si belle que je m'y suis baigné
I found the water so beautiful that I bathed in it.
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
I've loved you for a long time, and I'll never forget you.
Sous les feuilles d'un chêne, je me suis fait sécher
I dried myself under the leaves of an oak tree.
Sur la plus haute branche le rossignol chantait
On the highest branch, the nightingale sang.
Chante, rossignol, chante, toi qui as le coeur gai
Sing, nightingale, sing, you who have a happy heart.
Tu as le cœur à rire, moi, je l'ai à pleurer
You have a heart to laugh, but I have a heart to cry.
J'ai perdu mon amie, sans l'avoir mérité
I lost my friend, without deserving it.
Pour un bouquet de roses que je lui refusai
For a bouquet of roses that I refused her.
Je voudrais que la rose fût encore à planter
I wish the rose could still be planted.
Et que ma douce amie fût encore à m'aimer
And that my sweet friend could still love me.
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai
I've loved you for a long time, and I'll never forget you.
Contributed by Kennedy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.