Corps et âmes

Enroulez le fil

J’ai un pied qui remue

La danse du Limousin

La Lanverne

La tapette

La toumba

Le boogie woogie

Lou Branle

Pied petitou

Pimpé, Pimpé

Secoue-toi

Têtes, épaules, genoux et pieds

Last updated: 1/6/2016 2:10 PM

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

compiled, adapted, translated and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

To listen to music from these songs click on O

To watch the author sing a song click on the title at:

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© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved

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

· you must give the original author credit

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Your fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.

Enroulez le fil O

Familiar in English nurseries as ‘Wind the bobbin up’ and in the USA as ‘Wind, wind sugar baby’ (push pull, clap, clap, clap) this singing game originates from Denmark where it is known as ‘The shoemaker’s dance’.

Move other parts of the body and learn their names in French. Play at different speeds.

Watch at: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xg3mma_enrouler-le-fil_school where large and small movements are made.

To begin form two circles one inside the other with partners facing each other.

}x2 Enroulez le fil, déroulez le fil, Et tire et tire et tape, tape, tape! Wind, wind,wind the thread, then unwind the thread, Then pull and pull and clap, clap, clap! Refrain Face à face et dos à dos, C’est le chant du cor-don-nier, Face à face et dos à dos, Qui nous apprend à danser. Face to face and back to back, It’s the cobbler’s song in France, Face to face and back to back, He will teach us how to dance. Enroule tes épaules, déroule tes épaules, Et tire et tire et tape, tape, tape! Enroule ton bedon, déroule ton bedon, Et tire et tire et tape, tape, tape! Enroulez la jambe, déroulez la jambe, Et tire et tire et tape, tape, tape! Enroule tout ton corps, déroule tout ton corps, Et tire et tire et tape, tape, tape!

Roll arms in one direction then the other. Pull each other’s hands in a sawing motion and then make three claps on their partner’s hands. Do-si-do: walk round partner with one arm resting on the other. Keep eyes on a spot in front. Right then left shoulders pass. Return to face one another. Skip round with crossed hands. Repeat actions. Before the next verse the inside circle steps once to the left to stand in front of a new partner. Repeat this sequence after each verse. Roll shoulders one way and then the other. Roll tummy one way and then the other. Roll leg first one way then the other. Repeat a second time with other leg. Hold hands with partner, swing hands over head and pass through one way then the other.

Double circle

Do-si-do

J’ai un pied qui remue O

This is a popular children’s game in both Normandy and Brittany.

Begin in a circle. Repeat this game turning different parts of the body: épaules, bras, main, genoux etc. Encourage the children to suggest different clapping patterns.

J’ai un pied remue et l’autre qui na va guère, J’ai un pied remue et l’autre qui na va plus. }x2 Aaah! La la la la la, la la la la la, La la la la la, la la la la. I’ve a foot that is moving while the other hardly stirs, I’ve a foot that is moving while the other one is still. Oooh! La la la la la, la la la la la, La la la la la, la la la la.

Extend right foot and pivot it from the heel while pointing to the other foot. Repeat with the left. Get ready to circle or clap. Circle left then change direction. Second time: clap hands, slap thighs, click fingers in time to the music.

La danse du Limousin O

Another song to help identify the French names given to different parts of the body.

Watch a simple version at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzbQnrD2XCA&feature=related.

The one below is much more challenging and fun!

}x2 Et nous allons danser, La danse du Limousin. Et nous allons danser La danse du Limousin. And this is how we dance, The dance of Limousin. And this is how we dance, The dance of Limousin. Spoken: Le petit Limousin a dit, ‘Les mains sur l’épaule.’ The little Limousiner says, ‘Put your hands on your shoulder.’ ‘Les mains sur la hanche’ hip ‘Les mains sur le genou’ knee ‘Les mains sur la cheville’ ankle

The children march in line, left hand on the shoulders of the one in front; a leader takes them around the room along a wavy pathway. The leader: ‘le petit Limousin’ or the teacher, commands the children to put the right hand on their own shoulder. The one in front of the line then retires to the back and a new leader sets off to the music. In subsequent verses other parts of the body are touched by the right hand while the left remains on the shoulder of the one in front.

La Lanverne O

Who dances the best? Dance using different parts of the body.

À qui dansera la mieux, la Lanverne, la Lanverne! À qui dansera la mieux, la Lanverne de nous deux! Tell me who can dance the best, the Lanverne, the Lanverne! Tell me who can dance the best, the Lanverne, you or me? On y danse avec le pied, la Lanverne, la Lanverne! On y danse avec le pied, la Lanverne dans les prés. Watch us dance with swinging feet, the Lanverne, the Lanverne! Watch us dance with swinging feet, the Lanverne in the fields. On y danse avec les doigts, la Lanverne dans les bois. Watch us dance with clapping hands, the Lanverne in the woods. On y danse avec le front, la Lanverne tous en rond. Watch us dance with heads held high, the Lanverne in a ring.

In pairs and facing each other, place hands on hips, hop skip swinging right foot across body then the left foot. Repeat sequence. Holding hands with a partner hop skip swinging right foot across body then the left foot. Repeat sequence. Clap own hands, partners right, partners left. Hold partners right hand and skip round. Repeat sequence holding left hand. Join up with a second couple and dance round in a circle with head held high.

La tapette O

Identify and name parts of the body while tapping the pulse of the music.

Sur qui sur quoi veux-tu faire la tapette? Sur qui sur quoi veux-tu, lenturlu. Oh who will be my partner and where shall I tap them? I will be your partner, tap me here.

Children move freely while singing and clapping their hands. Stop at ‘lenturlu’. A designated child chooses on which part of the body to make little taps as the music plays e.g. ‘sur la genou’.

La toumba O

Learn the difference between right and left as well as body vocabulary in this ‘fun’ song.

Watch another game at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W65GJvUXc9g

After the first few times allow a child to choose the body part and left or right direction and to give instructions to the others.

Et oui c’est comme ça, Qu’on danse la toumba. Et oui c’est comme ça, Qu’on danse la toumba. }x2 A-vec le pouce….. gauche, Ah yes it’s just like this, The toumba we will dance. With the thumb…left. A-vec le pouce….. droit. With the thumb… right. A-vec le main…… gauche etc. With the hand… right. g

1. In a circle skip to the left. 2. Skip to the right. 3. Skip into the centre. 4. Skip out again. Stand symmetrically with thumbs outstretched until direction is given, then wave that thumb vigourously to the left or right, keeping the rest of the body still.

Le boogie woogie O

Familiar in Britain as ‘The hokey cokey’, this adapted French version will soon enable children to recognise the French names for different parts of the body.

Watch another version at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFpWqFD010&feature=related

Je met la main en avant, Je met la main arrière, Je met la main en avant, Et je secoue un petit peu, Je danse le boogie woogie, Je fais un petit tour, I put my hand out in front, I put my hand out behind, I put my hand out in front And I will shake it all around, I dance the boogie woogie, I make a little turn, Heigh ho! I turn once more. Hé! Le boogie woogie woogie, Hé! Le boogie woogie woogie, Hé! Le boogie woogie woogie, Plié, bras étendre, Youp la la! Oh! the boogie woogie woogie Oh! the boogie woogie woogie Oh! the boogie woogie woogie Knees bent, arms outstretched, Rah, rah, rah!

The children form a circle and stretch one hand forward, back then forward again giving it a little shake. With hands on hips swing them around. Turn round one way and then the other. Holding hands with the others in the circle walk forward raising hands high. Then back, then forward once again. Bend knees, stretch arms. Clap three times. Continue with different parts of the body. le pied the foot la tête the head tout corps whole body

Lou Branle O

The branle is a medieval dance with a circular formation, popular in the reigns of LouisVII and Louis XIV. This particular dance is from Poitou.

Dansons Lou Branle, Lou Branle, Lou Branle, Dansons Lou Branle du petit Limousin. Dance the Lou Branle, Lou Branle, Lou Branle, Dance the Lou Branle like little Limousins. Spoken: Arrête! Ne bouge pas! Le petit Limousin a dit….. ‘Les mains sur les épaules.’ Stop! Don’t move! The little Limousiner says… ‘Put your hands on the shoulders.’ ‘Les mains sur la tête’ head ‘Les mains sur les fessas’ bottom ‘Les mains sur les hanches’ hips ‘Les mains sur les genoux’ knees ‘Les mains sur les chevilles’ ankles

Move to the left with swinging arms in a steady measure. The leader, ‘le petit Limousin’ or the teacher, asks the children to put their hands on the shoulders of the child on either side. In subsequent verses hands are placed on named parts of their neighbour’s bodies. Create suspense on ‘a dit…’- Wait for it! / Attends un peu!

Pied petitou O

Learn the French names for parts of the face as well as the body.

Listen at: http://www.amazon.com/dansant-tout-long-petitou-clochettes/dp/B0036E5G7Y

Pied petitou à la Margaridette, Pied petitou à la Margaridou. Cheveux de soie. A foot oh so small, the foot of Margarita, A foot oh so small, the foot of Margaroo, Silky hair. Pied petitou à la Margaridette, Pied petitou à la Margaridou. Cheveux de soie, Joues rondelettes. A foot oh so small, the foot of Margarita, A foot oh so small, the foot of Margaroo, Hair oh so silky, Cheeks oh so chubby. Pied petitou à la Margaridette, Pied petitou à la Margaridou. Continue adding: Bouche vermeille Menton pointu Mains coquinettes Taille bien faite Jambe longuettes Mouth like a ruby Chin sweetly pointed Hands so mischievous Waist neat and tiny Legs oh so slender

The children join hands and circle to the left. The circle stops to indicate the body parts named and then resumes again.

Pimpé, Pimpé O

Poor Pimpé has broken his leg! This song from the Occitaine, an area that encompasses much of Southern France and the border areas of Italy and Spain, is another opportunity to learn the names of parts of the body.

Played simply children can hop on one foot and then the other either on their own or with a partner. In the game below children make a circle ‘Pimpé’ stands in the centre.

}x2 Pimpé, Pimpé, Pimpé s’est cassé la jambe, Pimpé, Pimpé, Pimpé s’est cassé le pied. }x2 Ah! Qu’il danse bien avec une seule jambe, Ah! Qu’il danse bien avec un seul pied. Pimpé, Pimpé, Pimpé’s poor old leg is broken, Pimpé, Pimpé, Pimpé’s broken his poor foot. But he dances well on one leg believe me, But he dances well on one foot it’s true. Pimpé, Pimpé, Pimpé s’est cassé la genoux, Pimpé, Pimpé, Pimpé’s poor old knee is broken...

Pimpé mimes an injury as the children dance around him. On the last line he points to a child who takes his place and the game begins again. For more challenge all children can hop around the circle first on one foot then the other. The part of the body that is broken changes each time; next Pimpé clutches his knee as he hops around.

Secoue-toi O

More familiar to English ears as ‘Here we go Looby Loo’.

Everyone holds hands in a circle, each child stands next to a partner.

Met ta main droite ici, Met ta main droite là, Secoue, secoue, secoue, Fais un tour et puis voilà! Put your right hand out here, Put your right hand there, Shake it, shake it, shake it, Turn around and then that’s it! Refrain La la la la la la, La la la la la la, La la la la la la, Tout danse sur le samedi soir. La la la la la la etc. Dance on a Saturday night.

1. Shake right hand into the circle. Shake right hand outside the circle. Shake it vigorously inside. Turn round on the spot. 2. The circle holds hands and skips to the left. 3. Skip to the right. 4. Hold hands with partner and swing round together.

Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds O

A perennial favourite in English, French and other European nurseries. A great way to introduce parts of the body in the French language.

Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLeLxP_OSDo&feature=related .

Têtes, épaules, genoux et pieds, g’noux et pieds, Têtes, épaules, genoux et pieds, g’noux et pieds. La bouche, le nez, les yeux et les oreilles. Têtes, épaules, genoux et pieds, g’noux et pieds. Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes, Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes, And eyes and ears and mouth and nose. Head, shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes.

Tap each part of the body as they are sung. The second time nod head instead of singing ‘tête’. With subsequent verses miss out words but add shoulder shrugs, knee bends and standing on tiptoes.

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