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The song "Vive le Vent" is the equivalent of "Jingle Bells" in French. It is sung to the same tune, but the words are completely different. It's a fun song and one that you'll want to learn and sing during the holiday season.
"Vive le Vent" Lyrics and Translation
Below you can read the lyrics for the French Christmas carol "Vive le Vent". The English is a literal translation and, as you'll notice, it only has one reference to bells. Yet, it does celebrate all the joys of the holidays, including time with family, snowy days, and all the things that add to the festive fun.
Vive plus a noun is a common construction used to honor someone or something. Most often, it is translated into English as "long live." You may recognize it from the popular expression Vive la France.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) Vive le vent, vive le vent, Vive le vent d'hiver, Qui s'en va sifflant, soufflant Dans les grands sapins verts, oh ! |
(Refrain) Long live the wind, long live the wind, Long live the winter wind, Which goes whistling, blowing In the big green Christmas trees, oh! |
| Vive le temps, vive le temps, Vive le temps d'hiver, Boules de neige et Jour de l'An Et Bonne Année grand-mère ! (Fin du refrain) |
Long live the weather, long live the weather, Long live the winter weather, Snowballs and new year's day and happy new year Grandma! (End of refrain) |
| Sur le long chemin Tout blanc de neige blanche Un vieux monsieur s'avance Avec sa canne dans la main. Et tout là-haut le vent Qui siffle dans les branches Lui souffle la romance Qu'il chantait petit enfant, oh ! |
Along the long path All white from the white snow An old man advances With his cane in his hand. And all above the wind Which whistles in the branches Blows on him the romance That he sang as a young child, oh! |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Joyeux, joyeux Noël Aux mille bougies Qu'enchantent vers le ciel Les cloches de la nuit. Vive le vent, vive le vent Vive le vent d'hiver Qui rapporte aux vieux enfants Leurs souvenirs d'hier, oh ! |
Merry, Merry Christmas To the thousand candles Which delight toward heaven The night's bells. Long live the wind, long live the wind Long live the winter wind Which brings to old kids Their memories of yesterday, oh! |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Et le vieux monsieur Descend vers le village, C'est l'heure où tout est sage Et l'ombre danse au coin du feu. Mais dans chaque maison Il flotte un air de fête Partout la table est prête Et l'on entend la même chanson, oh ! |
And the old man Goes down toward the village, It's the time when everyone is good And the shadow dances near the fire. But in each house There's a festive air Everywhere the table is ready And you hear the same song, oh! |
| Refrain | Refrain |
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