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14/04/2008, 19:38 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,407 Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants We all have our favourite ways of learning the language.  Some swear by Michel Thomas and some say get stuck in and try speaking and understanding. Well, amongst other ways, I have been playing songs and nursery rhymes on my piano and getting the words or paroles on the internet. For Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, I have the following French song: Ah! vous dirai-je maman Ce qui cause mon tourment Papa veut que je raisonne Comm' une grande personne Mois je dit que les bonbons Valent mieux que la raison   Now, I know most of the words and understand them but, the whole song together?  Can't say I understand the "sense" of it.  So, please knowledgeable people out there, expliquez si'l vous plaît!      Report

14/04/2008, 19:42 cooperlola Joined on 05/05/2006 72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans Posts 6,408 Re: Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants Roughly, not word for word!  "Tell me Mummy, something's bothering me.  Daddy wants me to be sensible like a grown up, but I say that sweets are worth more than sense." (I'm sure that's not bang-on but it seems to me that's what it's getting at!) Healthcare Issues Site    Report

14/04/2008, 19:48 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,407 Re: Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants Merci, Coops.  I did think I felt so sorry for the little girl.  I'll try and find something more cheerful next time!    Report

15/04/2008, 15:55 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 179 Re: Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants Try the second or third verse.. Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman Ce qui cause mon tourment ? Papa veut que je raisonne Comme une grande personne Moi je dis que les bonbons Valent mieux que la raison. Quand trois poules vont au champ La première va devant La seconde suis la première La troisième vient la dernière Quand trois poules vont au champ La première va devant [Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman Ce qui cause mon tourment ? Papa veut que je retienne Les verbes, La Laurentienne Moi je dis que les bonbons Valent mieux que les leçons.] or (theoriginal) Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman, Ce qui cause mon tourment ? Depuis que j'ai vu Silvandre, Me regarder d'un air tendre ; Mon cœur dit à chaque instant : « Peut-on vivre sans amant ? » L'autre jour, dans un bosquet, De fleurs il fit un bouquet ; Il en para ma houlette Me disant : « Belle brunette, Flore est moins belle que toi ; L'amour moins tendre que moi. » Je rougis et par malheur Un soupir trahit mon cœur. Le cruel avec adresse, Profita de ma faiblesse : Hélas, Maman ! Un faux pas Me fit tomber dans ses bras. Je n'avais pour tout soutien Que ma houlette et mon chien. L'amour, voulant ma défaite, Ecarta chien et houlette ; Ah ! Qu'on goûte de douceur, Quand l'amour prend soin d'un cœur ! Did you know that Mozart wrote a set of variations on the tune?    Report

15/04/2008, 18:54 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,407 Re: Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants Yes, NormanH, the variations are ingenious! Have you heard Renee Fleming, the American soprano, sing the song in that voice of hers dripping gold? Talk about sublime!    Report

15/04/2008, 19:07 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 179 Re: Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants No I haven't . I'll look out for it. Thanks for the tip    Report

15/04/2008, 19:33 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,407 Re: Rondes et Chansons pour les enfants Norman, many apologies, just checked my Renee Fleming cd's.  Not hers   Can't think which soprano it was.  Will post when I remember!    Report

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