J'ai du bon tabac
The tobacco in this song is in the form of snuff.
J'ai du bon tabac
I Have Good Tobacco
Chanson enfantine
Children's Song
(French)
(English)
J'ai du bon tabac dans ma tabatière
J'ai du bon tabac, tu n'en auras pas.
J'en ai du fin et du bien râpé.
Mais ce n'est pas pour ton vilain nez
J'ai du bon tabac dans ma tabatière
J'ai du bon tabac, tu n'en auras pas.
I have good tobacco in my snuff box,
I have good tobacco and you will get none.
I have some that's fine, and some well-shredded,
But they are not for your ugly nose.
I have good tobacco in my snuff box,
I have good tobacco and you will get none.
Notes
The lyrics to this song are attributed to Gabriel Charles, the Abbot of L'Attaignant (1697-1779). Anonymous music from the 17th century.
Comments
Nick wrote:
"Just come across this song and I think there was an English translation of it in my piano book when I was a child. It went:
In my little snuffbox there's such good snuff, sir
Very fine snuff, but there's none for you
I have the best, as you may suppose
But there is none for your poor old nose
In my little snuffbox there's such good snuff, sir
Very fine snuff, but there's none for you.
The tune was identical and I'm pretty sure the words had just been translated to fit."
Sheet Music
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Monique and Lisa. Thanks to Nick K. for writing!
Merci beaucoup!