NOTE: I also do free French bilingual short stories (parallel texts), and I've put lots of info + links on my Home Page
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Quality Lyrics Translation + Free French Lesson
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Below is the simple lyrics translation. For the French lesson based on these lyrics, see below left.
PART ONE Je vous parle d'un temps I speak of a time OR I'm telling you of a time OR I'm talking to you of a time OR Let me talk to you of a time OR Que les moins de vingt ans That those who are younger than twenty OR which the under twenties Ne peuvent pas connaître Cannot know OR Couldn't know OR Can't possibly know Montmartre en ce temps-là Montmartre, at that time, Accrochait ses lilas Used to hang up its lilacs (lilac plants/flowers) OR Would hang up its lilacs (ditto) Jusque sous nos fenêtres All the way up to right under our windows ...CONTINUED BELOW PART TWO
Et si l'humble garni And if the humble bedsit OR And if the humble furnished lodgings Qui nous servait de nid Which served as a nest for us Ne payait pas de mine Didn't look much OR Didn't look good OR Wasn't much to look at C’est là qu'on s'est connu It's there that we met OR It's there that we got to know one another OR It's there that we got acquainted Moi qui criais famine I, who would cry 'starvation' OR I, who was screaming out 'famine' OR I, who was crying out 'hunger' Et toi qui posais nue And you, who was posing nude OR And you, who would pose nude OR And you, who used to pose nude CONTINUED BELOW... PART THREE
La bohème, la bohème. The bohemian life, the bohemian way Ça voulait dire That meant On est heureux One is happy OR We are happy OR To be happy La bohème, la bohème. (see above) Nous ne mangions qu'un jour sur deux. We didn't eat other than one day in two OR We only ate every other day OR We didn't eat but once every two days PART FOUR
Dans les cafés voisins In the neighbouring cafés Nous étions quelques-uns We were few in number OR We were one or two in number OR We were a small group OR We were a few OR There were few of us Qui attendions la gloire Who were lying in wait for fame and glory OR Who were awaiting glory OR Who were counting on finding fame and glory Et bien que miséreux And though destitute Avec le ventre creux With empty bellies OR With hollow tummies OR With our stomachs empty Nous ne cessions d'y croire We never stopped believing (in our chances of fame) PART FIVE
Et quand quelques bistrots And when a few small eat-in pubs Contre un bon repas chaud In exchange for(against) a good hot meal Nous prenaient une toile Would take a painting from us OR Used to take a painting from us Nous récitions des vers We would recite a few verses Groupés autour du poêle Huddled together around the wood burning stove En oubliant l'hiver Whilst in so doing, forgetting the winter PART SIX
La bohème, la bohème. (see above) Ça voulait dire (see above) Tu es jolie You're pretty OR You were pretty OR One was pretty La bohème, la bohème. (see above) Et nous avions tous du génie. And (that) we were all geniuses OR And (that) we all had a touch of genius within us PART SEVEN
Souvent il m'arrivait Often, I would find myself Devant mon chevalet In front of my easel De passer des nuits blanches passing the night without sleep OR passing sleepless nights OR Staying up all night long Retouchant le dessin Tweaking the sketch De la ligne d'un sein Of the contour of a breast OR The contour of a breast Du galbe d'une hanche Of the curve of hip OR The curve of a hip PART EIGHT
Et ce n'est qu'au matin And it's only in the morning Qu'on s'asseyait enfin That one would take a seat at last OR That we would finally sit down Devant un café crème In front of a café crème Épuisés mais ravis Exhausted but ecstatic Fallait-il que l'on s'aime You'd have had to be in love (to do this) OR We'd have had to be in love with one other (to do this) OR (to do this) It's necessary that one loves one another Et qu'on aime la vie And (also) to love life And that one loves life PART NINE
La bohème, la bohème. (see above) Ça voulait dire (see above) On a vingt ans One is twenty years old OR We are twenty years old OR One was twenty years of age La bohème, la bohème. (see above) Et nous vivions de l'air du temps. And we would live off air and not much else OR And we would live off the general mood at the time and nothing else OR And we would live off the spirit of the time and not much else OR And we would barely have enough to eat OR PART TEN
Quand au hasard des jours When it takes my fancy, from time to time OR When at whim, some days Je m'en vais faire un tour I go off for a wander OR I go out for a stroll A mon ancienne adresse to my old address Je me reconnais plus I no longer recognize OR I don't recognize anymore Ni les murs ni les rues neither the streets nor the walls OR Qui ont vu ma jeunesse Which have seen my youth OR Which saw may youth OR Which did see my early days OR that witnessed my youthful days PART ELEVEN
En haut d'un escalier At the top of a staircase Je cherche l'atelier I search for the art studio Dont plus rien ne subsiste Of which nothing remains Of which nothing survives Dans son nouveau décor In its new decor OR In its new decoration OR In it's new make-over Its new make-over Montmartre semble triste Montmartre seems sad Et les lilas sont morts And the lilacs are dead PART TWELVE
La bohème, la bohème. (see above) On était jeunes We were young On était fous We were mad La bohème, la bohème. (see above) Ça ne veut plus rien dire du tout. That no longer means anything at all THE END THE TOP TEN MOST INTERESTING French Language Music Artists Since 2000 French language music has always had a bit of a reputation for being naff among English speaking peoples. To rebuke those accusations I therefore present some shockingly good modern era music artists (Frenchies who still sing in French, who'd have thought..). The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves. I have also written a ditty on each artist, not that anyone reads now-a-days. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate-Advanced Brigitte A Bouche Que Veut-Tu (2014) If you were to ask me who I'm mostly listening to these days my honest answer would be Brigitte. This pair of super hipster femmes fatales found success late in the game but there making up for it now. This particular track never fails to hit the sweet spot. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Charles Aznavour La Bohème (1965) If ever I'm feeling down there is always one song guaranteed to sooth my soul. This one. The song so beautifully describes the life of poor Parisian artists scraping a living together and finding comfort in each other and their own art that you'll feel like you are sharing the experience with them. Aznavour himself was born to Armenian immigrants but has attained legendary status to the point that you'll find him written within the DNA of every French man, woman and child alive. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Charles Trenet Douce France (1947) It may be old but despite the age gap many of you will will be familiar with this song, particularly the melody. Hands up, I find many of the songs from this period a bit samey but a few by Charles Trenet stand out from the crowd. The reasons you should get to know this particular song yourselves are two fold. First, this song is almost a national anthem packed with nostalgia enriched images of France at it's most chocolate box period. Second, despite his idiosyncratic singing style, Trenet enunciates well so you'll be able to follow what he's singing with ease. FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Gilbert Bécaud Et Maintenant (1961) Be prepared for pain, passion and anger... and then some. If you watch the clip I chose of Bécaud singing this song live, then you'll find it hard to believe that he hasn't just come straight from a mental asylum. However, when you start to understand the bitter words spat forth you'll come to realize his genius in capturing the feeling of utter rejection that most of us have experienced at least once in our lives. Watch the madness in the eyes... FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level La Godinette OR Gael Lefevere + Nicolas Quemener J'étais Lassée D’être Jeune Fille (????) When Gael Lefevere, the guy responsible for introducing me to the real French music scene, had interpreted this traditional Breton song with fellow musician Nicolas Quemener, I remembered thinking to myself that it was possibly the most moving piece of French language music I had ever come across. Like all songs from this region of France, the lyrics are hard and biting, yet all the more interesting for it, and you'll see just how deep the Celtic roots run in listening to the original version by La Godinette, a version that I have also come to love. Now it's your turn. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Stromea Alors On Danse (2013) This is the song that started it all off for Stromea. I used to flick on the music channels when drinking my bowl of coffee in the mornings and when this song came out, it was on EVERY morning for what felt like a year. It became one of those songs that would play in my head all day long. Be careful, it may have the same effect on you. Ps. In the lesson you'll witness how I trash almost every other translation of this song that exists! FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Edith Piaf Je Ne Regrette Rien (1960) Probably the only French song that the average Joe knows. Well, at least it's a good one. Emotionally charged and yet short and simple song, and hence good for beginners. No extremely metaphorical lyrics, just nice and direct, which helps. FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus (1969) Very very naughty. The controversial French lyrical genius begat a controversial sexy French song. You all know this one so there's not much more for me to add... except, if you thought it was a tad risqué beforehand, just wait until you understand the 'ins and outs' (ha ha!/ lol) of the lyrics. FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Claude François Comme D'habitude (1967) Confession: I hate every song this artist ever did except this one which was truly a chef d'oeuvre. After being seen on TV by a Canadian artist, the song was bought and its lyrics re-written in English once the song had been given totally different theme. The finished product was then sung by Frank Sinatra and thus was born: 'I Did It My Way' FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Indila Dernière Danse (2014) This was on the free to view music channels every morning for the whole of spring 2014. A hit that came out of nowhere which now has 73 million YouTube hits. Vevo wouldn't let me use the official video so I used an excellent remix in place. (burn-Vevo-burn) FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Zaz Je Veux (2010) This was the song that led to Zaz becoming Frances top selling artist abroad in 2010 (or was it another year?) The album from which it came (called Zaz as it happens) ranked high in the charts all over Europe (except, of course, the UK). Simple but potent lyrics whose meaning hit home with me. Plenty of slang phrases within so if you need to work on that then this is your song. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Stromae Papaoutai (2013) Recent hit all over europe and the world (152 million YouTube Hits) by the now established king of electro-urban-geek music. This song is not the easiest of ones but has a very strong lyrical narrative, if not message (as do all his songs). Note that I've put in the phonetics for this lesson using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Benjamin Biolay Ton Héritage (2009) Modern Classic chanson Française. One man, one piano, one haunting tune, and a bunch of stirring lines. This one always gives me goose pimples when I hear it on the radio. The word for word translations are there but I have left it light on the grammar notes. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Jacques Brel Ne Me Quitte Pas (1959) This song is considered by many to be the all time greatest chanson française that has ever existed. Always at the top of meta-critic polls and a personal favorite of my own (I only do songs that I like). It's an oldie (circa 1959) and yet so timeless... P.s. I have done the phonetics for this one FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate-Advanced Level Malicorne Le Luneux (1977?) From the album Almanach, this traditional French folk song reconstructed by the experimental headonism of Malicorne in the late seventies will make you shiver with delight. I'm not sure whether the melody came from another song, but who cares when it's this good. Some oldie style wording but my notes will help you understand it. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate-Advanced Level Olivia Ruiz La Femme Chocolat (2006) Unique voice, unique style of music, unique lyrics and unique looks help this artist stand far out from the often samey nouvelle scene crowd. This particular song demonstrates well her quirkiness with lyrics that are just damnright trippy. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Serge Lama Je Suis Malade (1973) Possibly the most melancholic song in the history of mankind... and I love it. It's all about the words dude and Mr Lama paints such a stark yet poignant picture with them that you can't help putting yourself in his boots. Get a glass of whisky, light up cigarette and think of the lovers that have hurt you... you are now ready for this lesson. |
THE TOP TEN MOST INTERESTING
French Language Music Artists
Since 2000
French language music has always had a bit of a reputation for being naff among English speaking peoples. To rebuke those accusations I therefore present some shockingly good modern era music artists (Frenchies who still sing in French, who'd have thought..). The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves.
I have also written a ditty on each artist, not that anyone reads now-a-days.
YOUTUBE VIDS LIST (WITH REVIEWS) OF
The 100 All Time Best French Language Songs (Chansons Françaises) Ever
See my list of what I believe, as serious connoiseur, to be the best French language songs ever (with learning the the French Language and Culture in mind) but which are specifically chosen to suite anglophone tastes. The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves (god, I love copy and paste.) Slowly doing write-ups for each.
Spotify and Deezer playlists on page.
THE WHY AND HOW:
Using Les Chansons Francaises (French language songs) to Learn French.
Read my article explaining why and how... oh... I've just said that. I may go off on a folly with this article but what I say within (when I eventually get to the point) could change your current methods of learning French for the better.
Also: detailed look at Irony vs atlantic drift.
ONE-STOP LINKS AND REVIEWS FOR
The Best French Radio Stations for Learning French
Want to listen to French Radio Stations but don't know where to start? Want some advice on which is the best for you? Want a webpage that acts like a gateway and guiding hand at the same time? Well, you've found the one link to rule them all, the one link to find them, the one link to link them all, and in cyberspace bind them.
Now that's what I call bad-ass poetry!
(Suck on that one keats)
HOW TO WATCH
Live 'Free to View' French TV Channels Online from Abroad
In the 21st Century, language, culture and television are very closely associated. If you can't be there then the next best thing is to see and hear what those that are are watching. Your ability to understand oral French will undergo a paradigm shift within just a few hundred hours of french tv watching. Yes, I know that sounds like Chinese water torture but there are a few gems to look out for so..
let me be your guide young padawan.
MY SPOTIFY AND DEEZER PLAYLISTS OF
Modern Era French Music Artists And Songs
Did you find my playlist of the top 100 French Language Songs of all time too old fashioned, too melancholic? Here's the remedy. This is my personal playlist of modern french language music and it goes from mainstream pop to left-field hipster. It's like what French music radio stations would be like if you took out all the 80's anglophone music and then gave it taste.
French music can be... good?
ALL BY MY SELF... DON'T WANNA BE...
Hints & Tips for Learning French as a Self Study Topic
Going it alone can be a daunting challenge so why not take a little advice from those that have already crossed that bridge. Stand on the shoulders of vertically challenged people, that's what I say
No dwarfs were harmed during the writing of this article
CONJUGATE THIS FOTHER MUCKER
Rundown of the French Verb Tenses and Moods
I noticed that there was very little on the web giving a brief yet comprehensive rundown of these French verb tense-moods as I like to call them. Even less showing the use of them with examples.
Shall we consider this lacune filled now?
THE SLIPPERY FISH OF CONJUGATION RIVER
The French Imperfect Tense (l'imparfait)
There is one barrier left between you and near comprehension of French texts: L'Imparfait. ...and so welcome to my rule of thumb rule on how to translate this tense when you come across it in your readings.
Examples given will help you understand... hopefully.
THIS TIME, NOTHING TO DO WITH FRENCH
Hangman (my first ever short story)
Posted at Booksie.
I wrote this for English learners as I wanted to do a lesson based on a short story that wasn't one of those public domain classics, which although good, can be a bit complicated and old-fashioned. Once finished, and to my horror, I realized that my carefully crafted creation was rather old-fashioned and quite the bit complicated. Still, I think it's good but then again I would say that, wouldn't I.
Plot twist is free, but the broken fourth wall is non-refundable.