mint Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 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 mamanCe qui cause mon tourmentPapa veut que je raisonneComm' une grande personneMois je dit que les bonbonsValent 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 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!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Merci, Coops. I did think I felt so sorry for the little girl. I'll try and find something more cheerful next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Try the second or third verse..Ah ! vous dirai-je, mamanCe qui cause mon tourment ?Papa veut que je raisonneComme une grande personneMoi je dis que les bonbonsValent mieux que la raison.Quand trois poules vont au champLa première va devantLa seconde suis la premièreLa troisième vient la dernièreQuand trois poules vont au champLa première va devant[Ah ! vous dirai-je, mamanCe qui cause mon tourment ?Papa veut que je retienneLes verbes, La LaurentienneMoi je dis que les bonbonsValent 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 houletteMe disant : « Belle brunette,Flore est moins belle que toi ;L'amour moins tendre que moi. »Je rougis et par malheurUn soupir trahit mon cœur.Le cruel avec adresse,Profita de ma faiblesse :Hélas, Maman ! Un faux pasMe fit tomber dans ses bras.Je n'avais pour tout soutienQue 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 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![:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 No I haven't .I'll look out for it.Thanks for the tip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Norman, many apologies, just checked my Renee Fleming cd's. Not hers [:$] Can't think which soprano it was. Will post when I remember! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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