Raising two toddlers in France, we have these popular nursery songs on repeat chez nous (“in our home”). Known in French as comptimes, these songs for babies and toddlers are intended to be simple and sweet.
As you can imagine there are quite a few different songs, so the French nursery rhymes I have picked are ones that are very popular among the baby and toddler set at local créches (nurseries) here in Paris.
Along with the French lyrics, I’ve included the English translation. You can also find French songs for preschool and older school-age children here.
Chanter en yaourt – to warble
French – English translation: to sing “in yogurt”, making the sounds and syllables.
Your baby may not be able to talk yet, but all kids should enjoy making the sounds and warbling along to these little ditties. It is a wonderful way to introduce a bit of musicality and teach french to your little one. Soft and sweet, the lyrics are repetitive to make it easy for babies and toddlers (and adults!) to follow along.
It is interesting to read the lyrics of French nursery rhymes because some of them are a bit strange. Although I guess no more strange than English nursery rhymes, where “Ringa Ringa Rosie” was actually about the Black Plague! Anyway, let’s get to it, shall we? Allons-y!
Note: if you have a Spotify account, log on to your account in a different tab on your internet browser, to hear the full song below.
- 1. Petit Escargot
- 2. Mère Michel
- 3. L'araignée Gipsy
- 4. Ah! Les Crocodiles
- 5. Ainsi font font font
- 6. Frère Jacques
- 7. Meunier tu dors
- 8. Fais dodo, Colas mon petit frère
- 9. Alouette, Gentille Alouette
- 10. Une Poule sur un mur
- 11. Un Grand Cerf
- 12. Petit poissons dans l’eau
- 13. Pomme de reinette pomme d’api
- 14. Bateau sur l’eau
- 15. La fourni m’a piqué la main
- 16. Dans le ferme de Mathurin
- 17. Dans la fôret lointain
- 18. La famille Tortue
- 19. Petit papa Noël
- 20. Ah! vous dirai-je maman
- 21. Dansons la capucine
- 22. Vole vole papillon
- 23. Ah ah ah qui va là?
- 24. Plouf plouf
- 25. Trois petits chats
- Bonus: Au Clair de la Lune
1. Petit Escargot
A sweet French nursery rhyme that is probably the first one all kids learn in créche is the one about a snail. Over 16000 tons of escargot are eaten in France, but this song is about cute little living snails. (A bit like the cute easter bunny, until you realize that rabbit also is a French delicacy!)
As an adult, you can add gestures and movement to this by making fake ears by putting your hands on your head like snail ears.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Petit escargot Porte sur son dos Sa maisonnette Aussitôt qu’il pleut Il est tout heureux Il sort sa tête ! | Little snail Wears on his back His house As soon as it rains He is all happy He takes out his head! |
Repeat | Repeat |
☞ READ MORE: Giving birth in France: Oh Baby!
2. Mère Michel
Rather intriguing neighbor relations in this one, but it if you are going to listen to nursery songs on repeat, I suppose it needs to add a bit of interest for the parents.
Lustucru, of course, is the French brand of pasta but that doesn’t have anything to do with this song.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
C’est la mère Michel qui a perdu son chat, Qui crie par la fenêtre à qui le lui rendra. C’est le Père Lustucru qui lui a répondu: – Allez, la Mère Michel, votre chat n’est pas perdu! | It’s Mother Michel who has lost her cat, Who shouts out of the window to who will give it back. Father Lustucru who replied to her: – Come on, Mother Michel, your cat is not lost! |
(Refrain) Sur l’air du tralalala (bis), Sur l’air du tradéridéra, Et tralala. | (Refrain) On the air of tralalala (bis), On the air of tradéridéra, And tralala. |
C’est la Mère Michel qui lui a demandé: – Mon chat n’est pas perdu? Vous l’avez donc trouvé? Et le Père Lustucru qui lui a répondu: – Donnez une récompense, il vous sera rendu. | It is Mother Michel who asks him: – My cat is not lost? Have you found it? And Father Lustucru who answers her: – Give a reward, it will be returned to you. |
Refrain | Refrain |
Et la Mère Michel lui dit: – C’est décidé, Si vous rendez mon chat, vous aurez un baiser. Le Père Lustucru, qui n’en n’a pas voulu, Lui dit: – Pour un lapin, votre chat est vendu! | And Mother Michel said to him: – It’s decided, If you return my cat, you will have a kiss. Father Lustucru, who did not want a kiss, Said: – For a rabbit, your cat is sold! |
Refrain | Refrain |
3. L’araignée Gipsy
The French version of the classic Incy Wincy Spider is always a favorite. The hand movements of the fingers climbing up the water spout are the same in both languages.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
L’araignée Gipsy Monte à la gouttière Tiens voilà la pluie! Gipsy tombe par terre Mais le soleil a chassé la pluie L’araignée Gipsy Monte à la gouttière… | Incy Wincy spider Went up the water spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain So, Incy Wincy spider Went up the water spout again |
Repeat | Repeat |
4. Ah! Les Crocodiles
Another French nursery rhyme with rather provocative lyrics is Ah! Les crocodiles. It was originally an anti-war ballad (link in french) that was sung in an opera in 1856, hinting at France’s colonialist past in Egypt under Napoleon.
For little ones though, it is the refrain of cro cro cro that they will enjoy singing along to.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Un crocodile, s’en allant à la guerre Disait au revoir à ses petits-enfants. Trainant sa queue, sa queue dans la poussière Il s’en allait combattre les éléphants. | A crocodile, going to war Said goodbye to his grandchildren. Dragging its tail, its tail in the dust He was going to fight the elephants. |
(Refrain) x 2 Ah ! Les cro, cro, cro Les cro, cro, cro Les crocodiles Sur les bords du Nil, ils sont partis, N’en parlons plus. | (Refrain) x 2 Ah! The cro, cro, cro The cro, cro, cro The Crocodiles On the banks of the Nile, they left, Let’s stop talking about it. |
Il fredonnait une marche militaire Dont il mâchait les mots à grosses dents. Quand il ouvrait la gueule tout entière On croyait voir ses ennemis dedans. | He was humming a military march Whose words he chewed on. When he opened his whole mouth You thought you saw your enemies inside. |
Refrain x 4 | Refrain x 4 |
Un éléphant parut et sur la terre Se prépara un combat de géants. Mais près de là, courait une rivière Le crocodil’ s’y jeta subitement. | An elephant appeared and on the ground A battle of giants was prepared. But near there was a river The crocodile suddenly jumped into it. |
Refrain x 2 | Refrain x 2 |
5. Ainsi font font font
Small hand puppet shows called “guignols” are very popular here, regularly touring preschools and elementary schools in France. This song is about the jerky movements those hand puppets make.
Both little ones and adults can join along with the same movements as in the video below.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
(Refrain) Ainsi font, font, font Les petites marionnettes Ainsi font, font, font Trois p’tits tours Et puis s’en vont | (Refrain) So do, do, do The little puppets So do, do, do Three little turns And then go away |
Les mains aux côtés, Sautez, sautez marionnettes Les mains aux côtés, Marionnettes recommencez | Hands by the side, Jump, jump puppets Hands by the side, Puppets start over |
Refrain | Refrain |
Les mains sur la tête, Sautez, sautez marionnettes Les mains sur la tête, Marionnettes recommencez | Hands on the head, Jump, jump puppets Hands on the head, Puppets start over |
Refrain | Refrain |
Puis la tête penchée, Sautez, sautez marionnettes Puis la tête penchée, Marionnettes recommencez | Then tilt the head, Jump, jump puppets Then tilt the head, Puppets start over |
Refrain | Refrain |
6. Frère Jacques
Unlike Incy Wincy spider which was originally English and then copied into French, here is a song with a French origin that was copied into English. Here is the original version of the classic, Are you sleeping Brother John?
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Frère Jacques Frère Jacques Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? | Brother Jacques Brother Jacques Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? |
Sonnez les matines Sonnez les matines Ding, ding, dong Ding, ding, dong | Morning bells are ringing, Morning bells are ringing Ding ding dong, ding ding dong. |
Repeat | Repeat |
7. Meunier tu dors
A song about employees sleeping on the job, this is nonetheless one of the favorite French nursery rhymes of all time. The slow initial pace which then quickly accelerates at the refrain is sure to make your little one giggle.
Do a windmill with your hands during the refrain, and get the kids to join in.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Meunier, tu dors Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop vite Meunier, tu dors Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop fort | Miller, you are sleeping Your mill, your mill is going too fast Miller, you sleep Your mill, your mill is going too hard |
(Refrain) Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop vite Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop fort Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop vite Ton moulin, ton moulin va trop fort | (Refrain) Your mill, your mill is going too fast Your mill, your mill is going too hard Your mill, your mill is going too fast Your mill, your mill is going too hard |
Meuniers tu dors, Et le vent souffle souffle Meuniers tu dors, Et le vent souffle fort. | Miller, you are sleeping The wind is blowing and blowing Miller, you sleep The wind is blowing hard |
Refrain | Refrain |
8. Fais dodo, Colas mon petit frère
Continuing the trend of strange french nursery rhymes is Fais dodo. Dodo is Baby French slang for Dormir – to sleep. I say “baby french slang” because there are a series of words that end in “o” and “ou” that are reserved for small children. Words like doudou meaning favorite toy or coucou meaning bonjour are most often used in the context of children.
In this song, there is also “Colas” which is short for the French name Nicolas (the s is not pronouced), and “lolo” which is another baby slang for lait (milk).
The strange part of this song however is not the slang but the number of kitchens this house seems to have!
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
(Refrain) Fais dodo, Colas mon p’tit frère Fais dodo, t’auras du lolo | (Refrain) Go to sleep, Colas my little brother Go to sleep, you will have your milk |
Maman est en haut Qui fait des gateaux Papa est en bas Qui fait du chocolat | Mom is upstairs And she is making cakes Dad is downstairs And he is making chocolate |
Refrain | Refrain |
Ta sœur est en haut Qui fait des chapeaux Ton frère est en bas Qui fait des nougats | Your sister is upstairs and she is making hats Your brother is downstairs and he is making nougats |
Refrain | Refrain |
Ton cousin Gaston Fait des gros bonbons Ta cousine Charlotte Fait de la compote | Your cousin Gaston is making big candies Your cousin Charlotte is making compote |
Refrain | Refrain |
You can find more French lullabies here.
9. Alouette, Gentille Alouette
This song might sound like animal cruelty at first reading, but it is actually an excuse to teach a baby the different parts of the body, along with a few amusing tickles.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Alouette, gentille alouette Alouette, je te plumerai | Lark, sweet lark Lark, I will pluck your feathers |
Je te plumerai la tête Je te plumerai la tête Et la tête! Et la tête! Alouette, Alouette! Ahhhhhhhhh Alouette, gentille alouette Alouette, je te plumerai | I will pluck your head I will pluck your head And the head! And the head! Lark, Lark! Ahhhhhhhhh Lark, sweet lark Lark, I will pluck your feathers |
Je te plumerai le bec Je te plumerai le bec Et le bec! Et le bec! Et la tête! Et la tête! Alouette! Alouette! Ahhhhhhhhh | I will pluck your beak I will pluck your beak And the beak! And the beak! And the head! And the head! Lark, Lark! Ahhhhhhhhh |
Alouette, gentille alouette Alouette, je te plumerai | Lark, sweet lark Lark, I will pluck your feathers |
Je te plumerai le cou Je te plumerai le cou Et le cou! Et le cou! Et le bec! Et le bec! Et la tête! Et la tête! Alouette! Alouette! Ahhhhhhhhh | I will pluck your neck I will pluck your neck And the neck! And the neck! And the beak! And the beak! And the head! And the head! Lark, Lark! Ahhhhhhhhh |
Alouette, gentille alouette Alouette, je te plumerai | Lark, sweet lark Lark, I will pluck your feathers |
Je te plumerai les pattes Je te plumerai les pattes Et les ailes! Et les pattes! Et le cou! Et le cou! Et le bec! Et le bec! Et la tête! Et la tête! | I will pluck your legs I will pluck your legs And the legs! And the legs! And the neck! And the neck! And the beak! And the beak! And the head! And the head! |
Alouette! Alouette! Ahhhhhhhhh. | Lark, Lark! Ahhhhhhhhh. |
Read more about French Parenting:
- High school in France: An local’s guide to the Lycée
- Middle school in France: Navigating the ‘Collège’ experience
- Primary school in France: A local parent’s view
- Family life in France: 16 Traditions and family structure
- 28 Interesting Facts about French Schools
- All about childcare in France: Crèche daycare or nanny?
10. Une Poule sur un mur
Another song which involves “pecking” and tickling the baby to learn about his/her body is “une Poule sur un mur”. A simple song, it is nonetheless a very popular French rhyme.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Une poule sur un mur Qui picore du pain dur Picoti, Picota Lève la queue et puis s’en va. | A hen on a wall Who pecks hard bread Picoti, Picota (pecking sounds) Raise your tail and then off it goes. |
Repeat | Repeat |
11. Un Grand Cerf
A sweet little song about a deer and a rabbit, if we ignore what the hunter is trying to do.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Dans sa maison un grand cerf Regardait par la fenêtre Un lapin venir à lui Et frapper chez lui | In his house a large deer Looking out the window A rabbit comes to him And knocks on his door |
Cerf cerf ouvre moi Ou le chasseur me tuera Lapin lapin entre et viens Me serrer la main. | Deer Deer open for me Or the hunter will end me Rabbit rabbit enter and come Shake my hand. |
12. Petit poissons dans l’eau
And then we have fish! The little fish of course swim quite as well as the big guys.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Les petits poissons dans l’eau, Nagent, nagent, nagent, nagent, nagent. Les petits poissons dans l’eau Nagent aussi bien que les gros. | The little fish in the water, Swim, swim, swim, swim, swim. Small fish in the water Swim as well as the big guys. |
Les petits, les gros nagent comme il faut Les gros, les petits nagent bien aussi. | The little ones, the big ones swim well The big and the little ones swim well too. |
Repeat | Repeat |
13. Pomme de reinette pomme d’api
Now, you might read the lyrics and think they don’t make any sense, and you would be right. Pomme de reinette and pomme d’api are types of apples, like granny smith apples or golden apples. And the rest of the song is about carpets.
While the lyrics may not make sense, this song is so famous that there is a very popular children’s magazine named after it called Pomme d’Api.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Pomme de reinette et pomme d’api Tapis tapis rouge Pomme de reinette et pomme d’api Tapis tapis gris. | Pippin apple and red apple Red carpet Pippin apple and lady apple Carpet gray carpet. |
Repeat | Repeat |
14. Bateau sur l’eau
If you are with a group of kids, some versions of bateau sur l’eau say the name of each child going splash in the water. But the easiest version of the song is as follows:
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Bateau, sur l’eau, La rivière, la rivière, Bateau, sur l’eau La rivière au bord de l’eau | Boat, on the water, The river, the river, Boat, on the water The river by the water |
Bateau, sur l’eau, La rivière, la rivière, Bateau, sur l’eau La rivière et plouf dans l’eau | Boat, on the water, The river, the river, Boat, on the water The river and splash in the water |
Repeat | Repeat |
15. La fourni m’a piqué la main
Next up in the ticklefest is “la fourni m’a piqué la main”! As you can imagine, much giggling is involved.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
La fourmi m’a piqué la main La coquine, la coquine La fourmi m’a piqué la main La coquine, elle avait faim | The ant stung my hand The naughty one, the naughty one The ant stung my hand The naughty one, she was hungry |
L’araignée m’a piqué le nez La coquine, la coquine L’araignée m’a piqué le nez La coquine, elle était fâchée | The spider stung my nose The naughty one, the naughty one The spider stung my nose The naughty one, she was angry |
Et l’abeille m’a piqué l’oreille La coquine, la coquine Et l’abeille m’a piqué l’oreille La coquine n’avait pas sommeil | The bee stung my ear The naughty one, the naughty one The bee stung my ear The naughty one, she couldn’t sleep |
Le bourdon m’a piqué le menton Le coquin, le coquin Le bourdon m’a piqué le menton Le coquin voulait un bonbon | The bumblebee stung my chin The naughty one, the naughty one The bumblebee stung my chin The naughty one, he wanted candy |
Et l’oiseau m’a piqué le dos Le coquin, le coquin Et l’oiseau m’a piqué le dos Le coquin était un moineau | The bird stung my back The naughty one, the naughty one The bird stung my back The naughty one, he was a sparrow |
16. Dans le ferme de Mathurin
The English classic “Old Macdonald had a farm” turns into le ferme de Mathurin here. You will notice that interestingly, animal sounds are not the same in French. The duck goes coin instead of quack, and there are other variations.
You can read more about the funny different noises French kids use for animals here.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Dans la ferme de Mathurin Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des centaines de canards Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des coin par ci, y’a des coin par là Y’a des coin, y’a des coin, y’a des coin, coin, coin, coin Dans la ferme de Mathurin Chacun son refrain | In Mathurin’s farm Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are hundreds of ducks Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are quacks here, there are quacks there There are quacks, there are quacks, there are quacks, quacks, quacks, quacks In Mathurin’s farm To each his own refrain |
Dans la ferme de Mathurin Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des centaines de vaches Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des meuh par ci, y’a des meuh par là Y’a des meuh, y’a des meuh, y’a des meuh, meuh, meuh, meuh Dans la ferme de Mathurin Chacun son refrain | In Mathurin’s farm Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are hundreds of cows Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are moo here, there are moo over there There are moo, there are moo, there are moo, moo, moo, moo In Mathurin’s farm To each his own refrain |
Dans la ferme de Mathurin Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des centaines de cochons Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des groin par ci, y’a des groin par là Y’a des groin, y’a des groin, y’a des groin, groin, groin, groin Dans la ferme de Mathurin Chacun son refrain | In Mathurin’s farm Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are hundreds of pigs Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are oinks here, there are oinks there There are oinks, there are oinks, there are oinks, oinks, oinks, oinks In Mathurin’s farm To each his own refrain |
Dans la ferme de Mathurin Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des centaines de chevaux Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des hi par ci, y’a des hi par là Y’a des hi, y’a des hi, y’a des hi, hi, hi, hi Dans la ferme de Mathurin Chacun son refrain | n Mathurin’s farm Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are hundreds of horses Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are hees here, there are hees over there There are hees, there are hees, there are hee, hee, hee, hee In Mathurin’s farm To each his own refrain |
Dans la ferme de Mathurin Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des centaines de moutons Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho Y’a des bêh par ci, y’a des bêh par là Y’a des bêh, y’a des bêh, y’a des bêh, bêh, bêh, bêh Dans la ferme de Mathurin Chacun son refrain | In Mathurin’s farm Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are hundreds of sheep Hi-ya-hi-ya-ho There are baa here, there are baa over there There are baa, there are baa, there are baa, baa, baa, baa In Mathurin’s farm To each his own refrain |
17. Dans la fôret lointain
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Dans la forêt lointaine On entend le coucou Du haut de son grand chêne Il répond au hibou | In the distant forest We hear the cuckoo From the top of his big oak tree He answers the owl |
Coucou hibou, coucou hibou Coucou hibou coucou Coucou hibou, coucou hibou Coucou hibou coucou | Cuckoo owl, cuckoo owl Cuckoo owl cuckoo Cuckoo owl, cuckoo owl Cuckoo owl cuckoo |
Repeat | Repeat |
18. La famille Tortue
Another soft and jolly French nursery rhyme involves the tortoise family. They aren’t going anywhere fast, but they are doing it in step.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Jamais on n’a vu Jamais on ne verra La famille tortue Courir après les rats Le papa tortue Et la maman tortue Et les enfants tortue Iront toujours au pas | We have never seen We will never see The tortoise family Running after the rats The tortoise daddy And the mother tortoise And the tortoise children Will always go in step |
Repeat | Repeat |
19. Petit papa Noël
Another popular French nursery rhyme is actually a Christmas carol. With easy lyrics and a sweet tune, it implores Santa to not forget the singer’s “little shoe”. This is because French tradition holds that children don’t get gifts in stockings but in their shoes.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
C’est la belle nuit de Noël La neige étend son manteau blanc Et les yeux levés vers le ciel, à genoux Les petits enfants Avant de fermer les paupières Font une dernière prière | It’s beautiful Christmas night The snow spreads its white coat And looking up to the sky, on my knees Small children Before you close your eyelids Make a final prayer |
(Refrain) Petit Papa Noël Quand tu descendras du ciel Avec des jouets par milliers N’oublie pas mon petit soulier | (Refrain) Small Santa When you come down from the sky With toys by the thousands Don’t forget my little shoe |
Mais, avant de partir Il faudra bien te couvrir Dehors, tu vas avoir si froid C’est un peu à cause de moi | But before leaving You will have to cover yourself well Outside, you’re gonna be so cold And it is a bit because of me |
Il me tarde tant que le jour se lève Pour voir si tu m’as apporté Tous les beaux joujoux que je vois en rêve Et que je t’ai commandés | I look forward to it as day breaks To see if you brought me All the beautiful toys I see in my dreams And that I asked of you |
Refrain | Refrain |
Le marchand de sable est passé Les enfants vont faire dodo Et tu vas pouvoir commencer Avec ta hotte sur le dos Au son des cloches des églises Ta distribution de surprises | The sandman has been by The kids are going to sleep And you will be able to start With your hood on your back To the sound of church bells Your distribution of surprises |
Refrain | Refrain |
Mais, avant de partir Il faudra bien te couvrir Dehors, tu vas avoir si froid C’est un peu à cause de moi | But before leaving You will have to cover yourself well Outside, you’re gonna be so cold And it is a bit because of me |
Et quand tu seras sur ton beau nuage Viens d’abord sur notre maison Je n’ai pas été tous les jours très sage Mais j’en demande pardon | And when you are on your beautiful cloud Come first to our house I was not very wise everyday But I beg your pardon |
Refrain | Refrain |
You can hear more French Christmas songs here.
20. Ah! vous dirai-je maman
From the point of view of a small child, we have Ah! vous dirai-je maman. Dad may want a well-behaved little angel, but our little one has his/her own ideas.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
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. Moi, je dis que les bonbons Valent mieux que la raison. | Ah! Would I tell you Mum, Which causes my torment. Daddy wants me to reason Like a grown-up. Me, I say that sweets Better than reason. Me, I say that sweets Better than reason. |
Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman, ce qui cause mon tourment. Papa veut que je demande de la soupe et de la viande… Moi, je dis que les bonbons valent mieux que les mignons. Moi, je dis que les bonbons valent mieux que les mignons. | Ah! Would I tell you Mum, which causes my torment. Daddy wants me to ask soup and meat … Me, I say that sweets are better than the cute (well-behaved kids). Me, I say that sweets are better than the cute (well-behaved kids). |
Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman, ce qui cause mon tourment Papa veut que je retienne des verbes la longue antienne… Moi, je dis que les bonbons valent mieux que les leçons. Moi, je dis que les bonbons valent mieux que les leçons. x 2 | Ah! Would I tell you Mum, what causes my torment Daddy wants me to hold back verbs the long antiphon … Me, I say that sweets are better than lessons. Me, I say that sweets are better than lessons. x 2 |
21. Dansons la capucine
Learning that money can’t buy happiness (although that may be a bit beyond the aptitude of a small baby!) is Dansons la capucine. The capucine is a folk dance going in a circle, a bit like Sur le Pont d’Avignon. Nonetheless, the rhyme is quite melodic and easy to listen to.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
---|---|
Dansons la capucine Y a pas de pain chez nous Y en a chez la voisine Mais ce n’est pas pour nous You!!! | Let’s dance the capucine There is no bread at our house There are some at the neighbor’s But it’s not for us You !!! |
Dansons la capucine Y’a pas de vin chez nous Y’en a chez la voisine Mais ce n’est pas pour nous You!!! | Let’s dance the capucine There is no wine at our house There are some at the neighbor’s But it’s not for us You !!! |
Dansons la capucine Y’a pas de feu chez nous Y’en a chez la voisine Mais ce n’est pas pour nous You!!! | Let’s dance the capucine There is no fire at our house There are some at the neighbor’s But it’s not for us You !!! |
Dansons la capucine Y’a du plaisir chez nous On pleur’ chez la voisine On rit toujours chez nous You!!! | Let’s dance the capucine We have fun at our house They cry at the neighbor’s We always laugh at home You !!! |
22. Vole vole papillon
A rather sweet nursery rhyme where children are encouraged to make flying butterfly hand signs is Vole vole papillon. Flap your hands, turn them in a winding motion and wave them along to entertain your little one.
French Nursery Rhyme | English Translation |
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Vole, vole, vole papillon Au-dessus de mon école Vole, vole, vole papillon Au-dessus de ma maison | Fly, fly, fly butterfly Above my school Fly, fly, fly butterfly Above my house |
Tournez, tournez les jolis moulins Frappez, frappez dans vos petites mains Tournez, tournez les jolis moulins Frappez, frappez dans vos petites mains | Turn, turn the pretty windmills Clap, clap your little hands Turn, turn the pretty windmills Clap, clap your little hands |
Ah ! Les jolies mains, Mesdames Ah ! Les jolies mains, que j’ai Ah ! Les jolies mains, Mesdames Ah ! Les jolies mains, que j’ai 1, 2, 3, coucou ! | Ah! Pretty hands, ladies Ah! The pretty hands I have Ah! Pretty hands, ladies Ah! The pretty hands I have 1, 2, 3, hello! |
23. Ah ah ah qui va là?
Another cute nursery rhyme with easy lyrics is Ah ah ah qui va là?
French Nursery Rhyme | English Translation |
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Ah, Ah, Ah, Qui va là ? Est-ce un chat ? Ou un petit rat ? | Ah, Ah, Ah, Who’s there ? Is it a cat? Or a little rat? |
Ah, Ah, Ah Qui va là ? C’est la cane Et ses canetons. | Ah, Ah, Ah Who’s there ? This is the mother duck And her ducklings. |
24. Plouf plouf
If you are wondering what the French version of Eeny Meeny Miny Moe is, there is Plouf Plouf.
French Nursery Rhyme | English Translation |
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Plouf, plouf, plouf C’est toi qui sera le chat Mais si le roi n’le veut pas Ce sera toi | Splash, splash, splash You will be the cat But if the king doesn’t want it It will be you |
Plouf, plouf, plouf C’est toi qui sera l’andouille Mais si le roi n’le veut pas Ce sera toi | Splash, splash, splash It’s you who will be the lazy sausage But if the king doesn’t want it It will be you |
Plouf, plouf, plouf C’est toi, le gros patapouf Mais si le roi n’le veut pas Ce sera toi | Splash, splash, splash It’s you, the large child But if the king doesn’t want it It will be you |
Plouf, plouf, plouf C’est toi qui sera le roi, Mais si le roi n’le veut pas Ce sera moi | Splash, splash, splash You will be the king, But if the king doesn’t want it It will be me |
Rather long, but it does seem to work. You can also substitute Roi (King) for Reine (Queen).
25. Trois petits chats
And finally, here is a song that makes no sense at all, but you would be amazed how many little French preschoolers know all the lyrics. It is a play on words, where the sound of the word before serves as a reminder of what the upcoming lyric should be.
French Lyrics | English Translation |
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Trois p’tits chats Trois p’tits chats Trois p’tits chats chats chat | 3 little cats 3 little cats 3 little cats cats cats |
Chapeau de paille Chapeau de paille Chapeau de paille paille paille paille | Straw hat Straw hat Straw hat straw straw straw |
Paillasson Paillasson Paillasson son son son | Doormat Doormat Doormat (son son son sound) |
Somnambule Somnambule Somnambule bull bull bull | Sleepwalker Sleepwalker Sleepwalker (bull bull bull sound) |
Bulletin Bulletin Bulletin tin tin tin | Bulletin Bulletin Bulletin (tin tin tin sound) |
Tintamarre Marabout Bout d’ficelle Selle de ch’val Ch’val de course Course à pied Pied-à-terre Terre de Feu Feu follet Lait de vache Vache d’ferme Ferme la boîte Boîte aux lettres Lettre d’amour Mourre-à-trois Trois p’tits chats | Brouhaha Major adjoint Piece of string Horse saddle Racing horse Running Pied-à-terre Land of Fire Will-o’-the-wisp Cow milk Farm cow Close the box Letter box Love letter Die-a-3 Three little cats |
☞ Get the Look: The New French Nursery: 14 Chic Furniture and Decor Ideas
Bonus: Au Clair de la Lune
So I don’t know if this falls into the category of sweet nursery rhymes, but I had to throw this in here for the parents to have a laugh. Au clair de la lune is a beautiful nursery rhyme which is very popular, probably because it is long and soothing. But the devil is in the details.
If you read the lyrics closely, there is a mysterious neighbor, some mild swearing and people looking for a pen and a light in the middle of the night. The song is quite long so I won’t put all the lyrics here, but you can read all about those risqué neighbors here.
So which one is your favorite? Do some of the lyrics bother you, or does it not matter since the nursery rhymes are sung so sweetly anyway?
If you enjoyed that article, you may want to read more about the top French cartoons and books for your little one, as well as our other resources to learn French. A bientôt!