Translation Singable translation by R. H. Elkin
Il était un p'tit oiseau
Language: French (Français)
Il était un p'tit oiseau Amoureux d'une grenouille ... File, file, ma quenouille, Tourne, tourne, mon fuseau ! Il lui disait: « Ma chère âme, Tourne vers moi tes yeux d'or, Tourne, tourne tes yeux d'or ; Demain, o mon doux trésor, Demain, tu seras ma femme. Notre petite maison Sera faite de feuillage, Fleurie à tous les étages D'amour et de liserons. » Il était un p'tit oiseau Amoureux d'une grenouille ... File, file, ma quenouille, Tourne, tourne, mon fuseau ! Dans la forêt pavoisée Ce furent noce et festin. Tourne, tourne dès l'matin ... Velours vert et blanc satin Paraient la gente épousée; Dansez le gai menuet ! Prenez la main de vos dames ! Au bois pour l’épithalame, Chantait le rossignolet. C’est ainsi qu’un p’tit oiseau Fut l’époux d’une grenouille ... File, File, ma quenouille, Tourne, tourne, mon fuseau.
Text Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gabriel Grovlez (1879 - 1944), "Il était un p'tit oiseau", from Premier recueil de chansons d'enfants, Paris, Éd Max Eschig [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English [singable] (R. H. Elkin) , "Up on high a little bird"
Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2020-06-10
Line count: 30
Word count: 133
Up on high a little bird
Language: English after the French (Français)
Up on high a little bird Lov'd a frog down in the pasture. Fly, my shuttle, fly yet faster, Turn, my wheel, with ev'ry word. "O my belov'd," shyly said he, "Turn towards me your golden eyes, Turn, oh turn your golden eyes, For tomorrow, o my prize, For tomorrow I will wed thee. Our little house up above Will be built in leafy glory, Furnish'd well in ev'ry storey With bind-weed, rushes and love." Up on high a little bird Lov'd a frog down in the pasture. Fly, my shuttle, fly yet faster, Turn, my wheel, with ev'ry word. And with immense celebrations These two were married next day; Turn, my wheel, turn blithe and gay. She wore green, and he wore grey; Gorgeous were the decorations! All the birds take partners trim, In the dance they foot it featly, While the nightingale most sweetly Trills forth the wedding hymn. That is how a little bird Was a froggy’s lord and master. Fly, my shuttle, fly yet faster, Turn, my wheel, with ev’ry word!
From the Grovlez score.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by R. H. Elkin , "Up on high a little bird" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Sabine Mancel
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2020-06-10
Line count: 30
Word count: 175