Jolie mésange [English translation]

The village is waking up

and in the drone of bees

life retrieves its colours.

Up there on the hill,

like ballerinas,

blooming trees dance.

Here a little girl

leans out her window

as the sun frolicks

in her unruly curls.

Lightly, a sparrow1

flies to her hand and pecks,

then goes back among the branches

into its nest.

Where do you come from, pretty sparrow?

Your song delights my heart

Chirp chirp chirp

Your crystalline notes

make the flowers dream.

Where do you come from, pretty sparrow?

Are you bringing me a message of love?

Chirp chirp chirp

My sentimental heart

awaits it every day.

Near the fountain,

as they said "I love you",

the sparrow sang.

But the months of may go by

and vows fade away

in the last summer evenings.

The unfaithful boy

soon leaves her sweetheart.

That's when the lucky bird

flees into the endless sky.

Since then, as springs come back,

a sorrowful soul stands on the plain

on a vain lookout

for its only friend.

Where are you, pretty sparrow?

It was my first love.

Chirp chirp chirp

Your crystalline notes

enchanted our days.

Where are you, pretty sparrow?

What did you do with my happiness?

Deprived of the sun of my life,

my sentimental heart

is sadly dying.

Chrip chirp chirp

Yet I still believe

in his sweet return.

1. technically a "mésange" is a "tit", but I've picked the more general term "moineau" (sparrow) to avoid unfortunate misunderstandings!

In France "mésanges" are reputed for their cheerful chirping

• Artist:Tino Rossi