Des vêtements et les couleurs

8. À la queue leu leu

9. J’ai des poules à vendre

10. Promenons-nous dans les bois

11. Quand Biron voulut danser

Last updated: 9/12/2012 2:14 PM

The songs below are part of ‘Hop-là!’ The French collection

compiled, adapted, translated and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

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To listen to music from these songs click on O

© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved

You are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the following conditions:

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8. À la queue leu leu O

Another for the youngest.

Each time the song is sung choose a new colour for the cat.

À la queue leu leu, Mon p’tit chat est bleu, S’il est bleu tant mieux, S’il est gris tant pis! MIAOU! Off in line please do, My small cat is blue, If he’s blue he’ll do, If he’s grey toodle-oo! MIAOW!

Children stand in lines of four or five and place hands on the shoulders of those in front. The leader weaves them in and out of other lines. Finish with a loud ‘MIAOW!’ Each time the song is sung the child at the back waves and moves to the front to become the new leader.

9. J’ai des poules à vendre O

Learn colour names with this song by varying each verse: poules - noires et blanches, pommes - rouges et verts, fleurs - jaunes et bleues .

This game can be played in two, three or four circles depending on how long you wish it to last. As an alternative to the suggested ending ask the children who are wearing a particular colour to turn back to face the centre: ‘Ceux qui ont du gris tournez-vous’ until all have done so.

J’ai des poules à vendre, Des noires et des blanches, J’en ai tant dans mon grenier, Qu’elles roulent dans l’escalier, Trois ou quatre pour un sou, Mad’moiselle retournez–vous! I have hens to sell you, Black ones and the white too, For my attic’s full of them, Rolling down the stairs they come, Three or four will cost a pound, Mad’moiselle please turn around. Spoken La galette est-elle prête? Oui! Est-elle bien sucrè? Oui! Est-elle bien dorèe? Oui! Nous y voilà!…. Tournons la galette! Is the pancake ready? Yes! Is it well sugared? Yes! Is it well glazed? Yes! Here we go! Time to turn the pancake!

The children circle to the left swinging arms gently back and forth. They advance towards the centre and then walk back. Clap hands in time to the rhythm. The child named in the song (instead of mad’moiselle) makes a half turn, their back to the centre. The circle sets off again and continues as before until all children have their backs towards the centre. The leader calls out the questions, the children call out ‘Oui!’ All children turn to face the centre.

10. Promenons-nous dans les bois O

Wolves and woods are a perfect combination for traditional stories and songs across Europe.

Keep the wolf at bay by suggesting more clothing and colours.

Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo2Hb6h4qe4

Directions:

Half the class pretend to be trees swaying; the others, the children, walk through the woods in twos or threes holding hands.

Wolf stands to the side putting on items of clothing.

Refrain Promenons-nous dans les bois Pendant que le loup y‘est pas. Si le loup y’était Il nous mangerait, Mais comme il y’est pas, Il nous mang’ra pas, Loup, y es-tu? Que fais-tu? M’entends-tu? Le loup: ‘Je mets ma chemise gris.’ Refrain Add clothing and colours each time as suggested by child playing the wolf: Le loup: Ah! Ah! Ah! Twirls admiringly J’arrive! Enfants: Attention! Le voilà! Il veut nous manger! Sauvons nous! Wolf chases the children catching one who becomes the new wolf. Trees and children swap roles in the next game.

Walk with us in the woods, While the wolf is far away. If the wolf caught us He would eat us up, But he isn’t there, So he won’t eat us. Wolf is that you? What are you doing? Can you hear us? Wolf: I’m putting on my grey shirt. The wolf: Ah! Ah! Ah! I am ready! Children: Watch out! Here he comes! He wants to eat us! Run!

ma chemise gris my yellow trousers

mes chaussettes bleues my blue socks

ma veste rouge my red jacket

mes botte brun my brown boots

mon chapeau noir my black hat

11. Quand Biron voulut danser O

This very old song was written in memory of Charles de Gontaut-Biron, a favourite of Henri 1V, who was condemned to death for conspiring with Spain against his master and executed in 1602. Traditionally a very long list of clothing and other items are added in this cumulative song.

Children hold hands in a circle. Biron sits on a chair, the throne, in the middle. Six valets take their place in the circle.

Quand Biron voulut danser, x2 Ses souliers fit apporter, x2 Ses souliers tout ronds, Vous danserez Biron. When Biron wanted to dance, x2 They brought him his shoes to wear, x2 Yes his shoes, oh so round, You’ll dance todayBiron. Quand Biron voulut danser, x2 Sa perruque fit apporter, x2 Sa perruque à la Turque, Ses souliers tout ronds, Vous danserez Biron. When Biron wanted to dance, x2 They brought him his wig to wear, x2 Yes his wig, Turkish wig, And his shoes, oh so round, You’ll dance today Biron.

Children walk round Biron and his valets swinging arms alternately. One valet bows deeply and gives him his shoes. Biron puts them on then dances with that valet. Those in the circle stop to watch the shoes being put on. On the last line Biron skips round with the valet. Continue as above; each time another valet brings Biron an item of clothing. He points to each piece in turn as they are sung. Suggested additions: Sa chemise en toile gris. Yes his shirt, grey cloth shirt. Sa culotte à la mode. Breeches too, oh so smart. Son épée affilée. Yes his sword oh so sharp. Son violon, son basson. His violin, his bassoon. Son chapeau en clabot. His clabaut hat.

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