C’est Rivaut
Jean de la Lune
La terre nourrit tout
La trompeuse
Train de balai
Bonjour et
bonne nuit
La danse des lapins
La fenotte
Mains en l’air
Petit ourson
Saut du lapin
Last updated: 12/2/2014
4:45 PM
The songs below are part of ‘Allons-y!’ The French collection
compiled, adapted, translated and illustrated by Dany Rosevear
To watch the author
sing a song click on the title at:
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are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
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you must give the original author credit
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C’est Rivaut
O Use leader’s name instead of
Rivaut, French version if possible.
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Jean de la Lune O Jean de la Lune is the story
of the outsider, a tiny man whose adventurous curiosity turns into mishaps. In folklore he is also
called Jean Choux for his creaky wheelbarrow filled with cabbages. With a
striking similarity to the ‘Man in the Moon’, French children say goodnight
to Jean at bedtime. Though not traditionally a
dance tune, this ‘comptine’ is included for its
joyful music. Find more verses at: http://www.lirecreer.org/biblio/comptines/jeanlune/index.html Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--7-pWlEAD4
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La terre nourrit
tout O Dancing together in a circle
gives children a positive experience of co-operation and togetherness. ‘Each
child has a place in the circle and the strongest and nimblest learn to be
attentive to the needs of the more fragile’ – source unknown.
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La trompeuse O A traditional dance from
both ‘La trompeuse’
is the misleading or deceptive one. This song possibly means that if you
refuse to take part in the dance you’ll be left wondering how it might have
been. Pairs stand side by side in
a skating position, arms crossed in front, facing clockwise in a circle.
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Train de balai O This lively chase game is
best played outside on the grass. Use a small colourful cobweb duster as the
broom. It is likely that children
will try to be caught instead of fleeing so explain the rules clearly!
Repetition of the musical phrase at the end acts as a signal for the children
to run away.
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La danse des lapins
O Add extra verses to extend
children’s knowledge of French verbs. Listen at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/La-danse-des-lapins/dp/B00283UVP6 Make a circle nominating a
chief rabbit to lead at the end of the game.
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La fenotte O ‘Fenotte’
is an affectionate Lyonnaise patois term for a
gentle kind woman. In the Moselle region it is also
the name given to a little pitchfork as in this popular French lullaby. Listen at: http://www.chansons-net.com/Tine/E829.html Sing the first verse in a
lively manner, slowing for the second and more so for the last. Stand next to
a partner holding hands in a circle.
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Here is a lullaby to sing to
the tune of ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’.
Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoAMo1D6l4A Once confident move hands
while walking in and out of each other.
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Petit ourson O Learn the French version of
this popular skipping game ‘Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground’.
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Saut du lapin O How do you know when you’re
eating rabbit stew? When it has hares in it! This reel from Quebec is also
known as ‘Leap / hop of the rabbit’ or ‘Rabbit stew’. Here is another dance: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdm8lv_danse-saut-du-lapin-marsal2010-mardi_music Label children lapin / lièvre (rabbit / hare) round the
circle.
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games for children’ home page