Les sages et les fous

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: 3/29/2016 3:49 PM

The songs below are part of ‘Allons-y!’ 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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C’est Rivaut O

Use leader’s name instead of Rivaut, French version if possible.

Directions:

Dance a sideways gallop step. This can be played as a circle that changes direction on 1, 2, 3, or in lines long or short, even in pairs.

Try two lines dancing face to face.

C’est Rivaut qui mène qui mène, C’est Rivaut qui mène son veaux. It’s Rivaut who’s leading who’s leading, It’s Rivaut who’s leading his calf. Un, deux, trois! One, two, three!

Hold hands and gallop sideways, change direction on 1, 2, 3.

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

Par une tiède nuit de printemps, Il y a bien de cela cent ans, Que sous un brin de persil sans bruit, Tout menu naquit, Jean de la Lune, Jean de la Lune! Once on a mild night in spring time-oh, Just about one hundred years ago, Silently under some parsley tall, A wee man was born, John of the Moonshine! John of the Moonshine! Il était gros comme un champignons, Frêle, delicat petit, mignon, Et jaune et vert comme un perroquet, Avait bon caquet, Jean de la Lune Jean de la Lune Smaller was he than a mushroom cap, Delicate, frail, such a cute little chap; Delicate, frail, he was oh so cute, Yellow and green like a parrot’s frock, A real chatterbox, John of the Moonshine! John of the Moonshine! Quand il se risquait à travers bois, De loin de près de tous les endroits, Merles, bouvreuils sur leurs mirlitons, Répétaient en rond, Jean de la Lune x2 Off he adventured into the woods, Birds flocked around from the neighbourhood, Blackbirds, bullfinches they sang their song, Trilled in unison, John of the Moonshine! x2 Quand il mourut chacun le pleura, Dans son potiron on l’enterra, Et sur la tombe l’on écrivit, Sur la croix: Ci-git: Jean de la Lune x2 The whole world cried when he died, it’s true, There in his pumpkin he lies, boo hoo, And at his grave on a cross they wrote: Here he quietly lies: John of the Moonshine! x2

Facing a partner holding hands skip laterally. Skip the other way. Skip round on the spot. Skip in the opposite direction. Bow twice, wave and skip away to join a new partner. Repeat this sequence for each verse. Simple version: Children skip around the room side by side with a partner. On the last line bow twice, wave and skip to join a new partner. Progression: Form an inner and outer circle with partners facing. On the last line the inner circle moves two steps to the side to meet a new partner.

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.

Et quand serons nous sages? Jamais, jamais, jamais! Et quand serons nous sages? Jamais, jamais, jamais! }x2 And when shall we be wiser? It’s now or not at all! Refrain La terre nourrit tout, x2 Les sages, les sages, La terre nourrit tout, x2 Les sages et les fous. The earth feeds us all, x2 If our world we cherish, The earth feeds us all, x2 The foolish and the wise. Mam’zelle (child’s name) entrez en danse, Faîtes ici votre choix, Faît’nous la révérence, Et embrassez en trois. Now come and join the dancing, Choose three of us right here, Now make a bow or curtsey, Hug each one as they near. Refrain

The circle walks to the left. Stamp one foot vigorously on the ground while wagging finger from side to side. Walk to the right. Then repeat as above with opposite foot and finger. Children chassé to the left in the circle: step to the side and slide other foot to meet the other - a step close, step close movement. Chassé to the right. The children in the circle raise their arms for a designated child to pass through. This player curtseys or bows to three dancers gives them a hug or shakes their hand. The last to be embraced steps outside the circle ready for a repeat performance.

La trompeuse O

A traditional dance from both Brittany and Provence.

‘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.

Dansons la trompeuse, qui refuse muse. x2 Dansons la trompeuse en ça, Dansons la trompeuse en-là, Dansons la trompeuse, qui refuse muse. Come and join our dancing, leave your dreams enchanting. x2 Join with us in dancing here, Join with us in dancing there, Come and join our dancing, leave your dreams enchanting

1. Walk clockwise round the circle. 2. On ‘ça’ turn in the opposite direction without letting go of hands. Walk then make another half turn on ‘la’. Drop hands, outer circle steps to the right and pairs up with the next child opposite. Continue game with the new partner.

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.

Train, train de balai, Si j’t’attrape, si j’t’attrape. Train, train de balai, Si j’t’attrape j’te toucherai Avec mon manche à balai! Avec mon manche à balai!! Sweep, sweep, sweeps the broom, I will chase you, I will chase you, Sweep, sweep, sweeps the broom, If I chase you, of you go, Or my broom will beat you so! Or my broom will beat you so!

The circle walks around a child who holds a ‘brush’. On the last phrase players release hands and flee with the one in the centre in hot pursuit. The child touched (lightly) takes the brush as the circle reforms for a new game.

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.

}x2 Refrain Entrez, entrez dans la danse, jolie danse, Entrez, entrez dans la danse des lapins, }x2 Join us, join us in the dancing, merry dancing, Join us, join us, join us in the rabbit dance. }x2 Les lapin qui sautent, sautent, sautent, sautent, Les lapin qui sautent, sautent, sautent bien. }x2 Little rabbits jumping, jumping, jumping, jumping, Little rabbits jumping, jumping, jumping well. Les lapins qui tapent…etc.. Little rabbits clapping… Les lapins qui tournent…etc.. Little rabbits turning… }x2 Les lapins qui vous font une révérence, Avant de s’en retourner par les chemins. }x2 Little rabbits make a low bow to your partner, Before coming back along the country lane.

Walk left round the circle with high knees in time to the music, first one way then the other. With rabbit ear fingers jump into the circle then out again. Repeat this action. Clap hands in time to the music. Hold hands with a partner turn one way then the other. Bow low to partner then walk round the ring. On the second couplet the leader breaks the ring to take the circle in line off down a winding country lane, waving as they go.

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.

Tant que le jour durera, La fenotte, la fenotte, Tant que le jour durera, La fenotte dansera x3 Until late when day is done, Dainty pitchfork, little pitchfork, Until late when day is done, Dainty pitchfork dance.s on. x3 La fenotte a bien dansé, Sur l’herbette, sur l’herbette La fenotte a bien dansé, Maintenant faut la coucher x3 Pitchfork has danced very well, In the long grass, in the long grass, Pitchfork has danced very well, Now it’s surely time to sleep. x3 Fenotte, fais ton dodo, Sur la paille, sur le paille, Fenotte, fais ton dodo, Et tu dormiras bientôt x3 Dainty pitchfork, make your bed, On the fresh straw, on the fresh straw, Dainty pitchfork make your bed, Pitchfork rest your sleepy head. x3

Skip left round the circle. Skip right round the circle. Cross hands with partner and skip round on the spot. Move as above but walk round. Move as before but tiptoe round the circle. Finish by squatting with hands on cheek in sleeping fashion.

Mains en l’air O

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.

Mains en l’air, sur la tête, Aux épaules, en avant, Bras croisés, sur les cotés, Moulinés et ton se tait. Hands stretched up, on your head, On the shoulders, out in front, Fold your arms then at your side, Whirl them round, then go to sleep.

Standing in a space or a circle move hands to the instructions. On the last line sit down and sleep on the floor.

Petit ourson O

Learn the French version of this popular skipping game ‘Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground’.

Petit ourson, petit ourson, Touche la terre, Petit ourson, petit ourson, Tourne en l’air. Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch the ground, Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn around. Petit ourson, petit ourson, Touche le sol, Petit ourson, petit ourson, Dis ‘Skidoo!’ Teddy bear…..Touch the sun, Teddy bear…..Shout ‘It’s fun!’ Petit ourson, petit ourson, S’étire tes bras, Petit ourson, petit ourson, Monte l’escalier. Teddy bear…..Arms up there, Teddy bear…..Climb the stairs. Petit ourson, petit ourson, Étiens la lumière, Petit ourson, Petit ourson, Dis ‘Bon nuit!’ Teddy bear...Switch off the light, Teddy bear…Say ‘Good night!’

Walk in and out of each other, with or without a partner. Touch the ground. Walk. Turn with hands stretched in the air. Walk. Stretch to touch the sun. Walk. Jump up in the air. Walk. Stretch arms wide and yawn. Walk. Walk up the stairs. Walk. Switch off the light. Walk. Crouch down with both hands to one cheek, sleeping style.

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.

Promène-toi sur le rondeau, Comme un lapin sur le gazon. Promène-toi sur le rondeau, Comme un lapin sur le chemin. Walk round with us, walk round in a ring, Just like a rabbit out on the green grass. Walk round with us, walk round in a ring, Just like a rabbit out in the lane. Saute lapin, saute lapin, Fais bonjour à la nichée. Saute lapin, saute lapin, Fais bonjour à tous tes amis. Jump rabbit jump, jump rabbit jump. Say hello to the kits in your litter. Jump rabbit jump, jump rabbit jump. Say hello to all of your friends.

Walk left round the circle holding hands. Walk right round the circle holding hands. Rabbits turn left, hares right to face as partners. Make rabbit ears with fingers placed to side of the head. Jump twice. Shake hands. Rabbits turn right, hares left to face a new partner. Repeat actions above. Rabbits then stand still as the hares hop two places to the right to stand between two new rabbits, ready to begin the game again.

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