Doucement s'en va le jour
The translation is singable. In order to make it fit the tune, you need to sing gently using three syllables - like gen-tle-ly.
Doucement s'en va le jour
Gently the Day Drifts Off
Berceuse
Lullaby
(French)
(English)
Doucement, doucement,
Doucement s'en va le jour
Doucement, doucement
À pas de velours.
La rainette dit
Sa chanson de nuit
Et le lièvre fuit
Sans un bruit.
Doucement, doucement,
Doucement s'en va le jour
Doucement, doucement
À pas de velours.
Le hibou tout gris
Est déjà parti
Chasser les souris
Sous les buis.
Doucement, doucement,
Doucement s'en va le jour
Doucement, doucement
À pas de velours.
Dans le creux des nids
Les oiseaux blottis
Se sont endormis
Bonne nuit.
Gently, gently,
Gently the day drifts off.
Gently, gently,
It leaves oh so soft.
The small tree frog sings
Its sweet song nightly
Away the hare springs
Silently.
Gently, gently,
Gently the day drifts off.
Gently, gently,
It leaves oh, so soft.
The gray owl hunter
Flies off in the breeze
To chase mice under
The box trees.
Gently, gently,
Gently the day drifts off.
Gently, gently,
It leaves oh, so soft.
In their nests so deep
The birds snuggled up tight,
They've all gone to sleep
Nighty-night.
Notes
Lyrics and Music: Suzanne François. Used with permission.
Sheet Music
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Monique Palomares for contributing this song. Translated by Lisa Yannucci and Monique Palomares. Many thanks to Patrick François for contributing the 2nd verse and for allowing us to post his mother's song.
Merci beaucoup!