Le petit lapin
Pamela Foster wrote: "…I learned this French Nursery Rhyme when I was 3 1/2 years old and living in Libreville, Gabon. I remember the tune and have been searching for the words for over 25 years! Now I will teach this nursery rhyme to my French students and, of course, to my children…"
Le petit lapin
The Little Rabbit
Jeu en cercle
Circle Game
(French)
(English)
Mon petit lapin a bien du chagrin
Il ne saute plus, ne danse plus dans mon jardin.
Saute, saute, saute, mon petit lapin
Et va-vite embrasser quelqu'un.
My little rabbit is very sad,
He no longer hops or dances in my garden.
Hop, hop, hop, my little rabbit
And quickly go kiss someone.
Game Instructions
One child plays the role of the rabbit. This little "rabbit" is in the center of the circle and the other kids go around him singing the first 2 lines. Then the kids stop dancing around, but they continue to sing and clap their hands and the little rabbit in the middle starts hopping. On the last line, the little "rabbit" chooses one of the other kids and kisses him/her and that kid takes the role of the rabbit in the center.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Pamela Foster and Monique Palomares for contributing this song! Translated by Monique and Mama Lisa.
Merci beaucoup!