This week since it’s right before Xmas I’ll be sharing 3 Christmas French Songs to practice our listening skills and to enjoy the holidays as well. I have a little bit of everything from a traditional song and even a translated song. All 3 songs include the lyrics in both French and English to be able to compare them. Prendre plaisir et joyeux Noël!
Anúna : Noel Nouvelet (arr. Michael McGlynn)
This French song which was adapted in English as Christmas Comes anew is the best Xmas French song that I could find and I especially loved this rendition by Anúna, it feels a bit creepy with the low tempo take on the song and even the imagery of the video. At the same time while difficult to understand by itself once you have the lyrics it’s a lot easier to follow and appreciate.
French:
Noel Nouvelet
Noel nouvelet, Noel chantons ici,
Devotes gens, crions a Dieu merci!
Chantons Noel pour le Roi nouvelet, Noel!
Chantons Noel pour le Roi nouvelet,
Noel nouvelet, Noel chantons ici!L’ange disait! pasteurs partez d’ici!
En Bethleem trouverez l’angelet. RefrainEn Bethleem, etant tous reunis,
Trouverent l’enfant, Joseph, Marie aussi. RefrainBientot, les Rois, par l’etoile eclaircis,
A Bethleem vinrent un matinee. RefrainL’un partait l’or; l’autre l’encens bem;
L’etable alors au Paradis semblait. RefrainEnglish:
Christmas comes anew, O let us sing Noel!
Glory to God! Now let your praises swell!
Sing we Noel for Christ, the newborn King, Noel!
Sing we Noel for Christ, the newborn King.
Christmas comes anew, O let us sing Noel!Angels did say, “O shepherds come and see,
Born in Bethlehem, a blessed Lamb for thee.” RefrainIn the manger bed, the shepherds found the Child;
Joseph was there, and Mother Mary mild. RefrainSoon came the kings from following the star,
Bearing costly gifts from Eastern lands afar. RefrainBrought to Him gold and incense of great price,
Then the stable bare resembled Paradise. Refrain
PETIT PAPA NOËL Paroles French Little Father Christmas
Petit Papa Noel is another French song, the lyrics are already in the video with the translation so that makes it even easier to follow but I still put them below just for reference. I especially love that the music video song that features these realistic CG models but they are so stiff and lifeless that uncanny valley definitely sets in and creeps you the freak out while keeping you glued to the song as you try to better your listening skills.
French:
C’est la belle nuit de Noël
La neige étend son manteau blanc
Et les yeux levés vers le ciel
À genoux, petits enfants
Avant de fermer les paupières
Font une dernière prière.Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
C’est un peu à cause de moi.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.Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.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.Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Petit papa NoëlEnglish:
It’s the beautiful Christmas night
The snow is spreading its white coat
And eyes raised to the sky
On your knees, little children
Before closing the eyelids
Make a last prayer.Small Santa
When you come down from the sky
With toys by the thousands
Do not forget my little shoe.
But before leaving
It will be necessary to cover you
Outside you’re going to be so cold
It’s a bit because of me.I can not wait until daybreak
To see if you brought me
All the beautiful toys I see in my dreams
And that I ordered you.Small Santa
When you come down from the sky
With toys by the thousands
Do not forget my little shoe.And when you will be on your beautiful cloud
Come first on our house
I have not been very wise every day
But I beg your pardon.Small Santa
When you come down from the sky
With toys by the thousands
Do not forget my little shoe.
Small Santa
Jingle Bells in French (Vive le Vent)
We end with an English classic song Jingle Bells but in french. The adaptation when translated to French changes the lyrics quite a bit and it’s a bit of a different song with the same melody but still a great song. With quick flash animations to keep kids interested, it actually works, the lyrics are also on the screen to help follow along which help it since it’s a much faster song than the previous two. As always you can find the lyrics and translation of them below:
French:
Vive le vent
Sur le long chemin
Tout blanc de neige blanche
Un vieux monsieur s’avance
Avec sa canne dans la main
Et tout là-haut le vent
Qui siffle dans les branches
Lui souffle la romance
Qu’il chantait petit enfant :Refrain :
Vive le vent, vive le vent
Vive le vent d’hiver
Qui s’en va sifflant, soufflant
Dans les grands sapins verts…
Oh! Vive le temps, vive le temps
Vive le temps d’hiver
Boule de neige et jour de l’an
Et bonne année grand-mère…
Joyeux, joyeux Noël
Aux mille bougies
Quand chantent vers le ciel
Les cloches de la nuit,
Oh! Vive le vent, vive le vent
Vive le vent d’hiver
Qui rapporte aux vieux enfants
Leurs souvenirs d´hier…Et le vieux monsieur
Descend vers le village,
C’est l’heure où tout est sage
Et l’ombre danse au coin du feu
Mais dans chaque maison
Il flotte un air de fête
Partout la table est prête
Et l’on entend la même chanson :Refrain
Boule de neige et jour de l’an
Et bonne année grand-mère !
Vive le vent d’hiver !English:
live the wind
on the long way
everything is white of snow
an old mister moved forward
with his stick in his hand
and there’s nothing but the wind
which whistles between the branchs
inspires him with romance
that he sings little child :(chorus)
live the wind , live the wind
live the winter wind
that goes whistling , breathing
between the big fir trees
oh! live the time , live the time
live the time of the winter
a snow ball and a day of the year
and happy year grand-ma!
merry merry christmas
for a thousand candles
when it sings towards the sky
the night’s bells
oh live the wind , live the wind
live the wind of the winter
that brings to the old children
their memories of yesterdayand the old mister
coming down towards the village
that’s the hour where everything is wise
and the shodow danses on the corner of the fire
but inside every house
floats the air of the party
everywhere the table is ready
and we listen to the same song
(chorus)snow ball and day of the year
and happy year grand-ma !
live the wind of the winter
Make sure to check out other French Friday posts to practice your French.If you enjoyed the article or have any thoughts let me know by commenting below or by tweeting at me. You can also share the article or hit me up an email with your thoughts, it’s nice to hear from other fans.
