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  The French language is a beautiful one, and its songs no less so. In particular, children's songs in French can be quite adorable, and they have a long tradition in France and French Canada. These songs have spread to other countries through the influence of the French language and culture, and so many Americans are familiar with these cute melodies, if not always the lyrics. Some did not begin as children's songs, but have gradually come to be thought of that way.
  
  

Alouette

• "Alouette" was originally a song that early French Canadian fur traders created to sing as they worked, and over time, its simple melody made it a natural choice for a children's song. Although its exact date of origin is unknown, it was first published in a McGill College songbook in 1885. The song is about plucking a skylark to be eaten. The lyrics are as follows:
  
  Alouette, gentille Alouette (Skylark, nice skylark)
  
  Alouette, je te plumerai (Skylark, I will pluck you)
  
  Je te plumerai la tête (I will pluck your head)
  
  Et la tête (And your head)
  
  Alouette (Skylark)
  
  O-o-o-oh
  
  Further verses choose different body parts to be plucked.
  
  

Frère Jacques

• "Frère Jacques" is possibly the best known French children's song in the US, and is a popular nursery rhyme. The background of the song is debated, and the time of origin is not known. Some historians claim it is based on a real Frère Jacques Baulot, a religious doctor in the seventeenth century. Other scholars see it is a criticism of the laziness of monks, and still others see the subject matter as potentially about a monk who has died. The song is traditionally sung as a 'round', in the manner of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." The lyrics are:
  
  Frère Jacques, frère Jacques, (Brother Jack, Brother Jack)
  
  Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? (Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?)
  
  Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines! (Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!)
  
  Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don. (Ding ding dong.)
  
  

Cadet Rousselle

• Gaspard de Chenu wrote this song in 1792, making fun of an eccentric, happy French bailiff named Guillaume Rousselle. The man was seen as a loyal civil servant who was rather dumb and unthinking. The song was turned into the official march music of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. The song goes as follows:
  
  Cadet Rousselle a trois maisons 2x (Cadet Rousselle has three houses)
  
  Qui n'ont ni poutres, ni chevrons 2x (They have no beams or rafters)
  
  C'est pour loger les hirondelles, (They give lodging to the swallows)
  
  Que direz-vous d'Cadet Rousselle? (What do you say about Cadet Rousselle?)
  
  Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! oui vraiment, (Ah! Ah! Ah! Yes, truly)
  
  Cadet Rousselle est bon enfant. (Cadet Rouselle is a good boy.)
  
  The song repeats with Cadet Rousselle having different items, such as three outfits or eyes, in further verses.
  
  

Au Clair de La Lune

• "Au Clair de La Lune" means "in the moonlight" in French, and is a simple folk song from the eighteenth century. It is sung by adults and children alike, but is best known as a children's song. The first couplet was sung on a recording in 1860, making it the first ever recording of a human voice. The lyrics go:
  
  Au clair de la lune (In the moonlight)
  
  Mon ami Pierrot (My friend Pierrot)
  
  Prête-moi ta plume (Lend me your pen)
  
  Pour écrire un mot (So I may write a word)
  
  Ma chandelle est morte (My candle is out)
  
  Je n'ai plus de feu (I've no more light)
  
  Ouvre-moi ta porte (Open your door for me)
  
  Pour l'amour de Dieu (For the love of God)