J’entends une chanson

For the past few weeks, days at home have been cheered by a very vocal thrush who starts his loquacious singing at round about ten to five in the morning, and continues with almost no time off for eating, drinking or rest until about two minutes to ten at night. Here he is, in the featured photo.

For the past few weeks, our small a cappella choir has included in its repertoire a 16th century French song, composed by the German Steurlein, celebrating this very thing. I suggested it, because it brought back memories of the choir I sang with in France. Some members have cut up a bit rough, complaining their French accent wasn’t up to the challenge. In the end, I gave in and wrote an English version. I promised them cheesy, schmaltzy doggerel and that’s what they’ve got. Still, it’s all quite jolly, so why don’t you sing along with the YouTube video?

Oh, can you hear the song bird who trills and sings for me?
His joyful notes are sounding from that far-distant tree.
He banishes the darkness, casts out my dreary dreams.
Oh, can you hear the song bird who trills and sings for me?

I wander in the garden, the birds are always near.
They're trilling, crooning, fluting, and singing loud and clear.
They sound the end of winter, and welcome in the spring.
I wander in the garden, the birds are always near.

Let's greet the start of springtime, the season of rebirth,
The birds and bees and flowers, all creatures on the earth.
We'll welcome all the sunshine, and bid goodbye to chill.
Let's greet the start of springtime, the season of rebirth.

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

30 thoughts on “J’entends une chanson”

  2. I thought I was going to hear your dulcet tones there, Margaret, but I hummed along, as directed. What a cheerful Bank Holiday weekend post! Thanks for bringing a smile….

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      1. No, but I lose track anyway. Fun and frolics up in the Alentejo today, chasing Roman Centurions, quite probably in the rain but who cares? Home tomorrow.

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  8. Well done on that translation Margaret, and the lovely thrush photo 🙂 You’re lucky to have him. For some reason Great Tits seem to have appropriated all dawn chorus duties here and their ‘song’ grates a bit after a while!

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      1. We luckily don’t get too much of that. Most of the roads parallel to ours cut through between two main roads but ours doesn’t so you really only come along here if here is where you are going!

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  9. No thrushes here sad to say as there are plenty of snails! I have a resident blackbird who warbles beautifully and robins and wrens. And a greater spotted woodpecker earlier this week for the first time. We are truly blessed with birdsong.

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    1. Actually, I mean ten to four! By 5.30 the dawn chorus is all over (though not that thrush!). It’s not loud enough to wake me up, but I often am awake anyway, and it’s a lovely serenade which I shall miss when it disappears.

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  11. I had never heard of Steurlein so I had to find out more. I understand that he was a German composer who lived from 1546 to 1613. He was known for his choral music, which included both sacred and secular works. Some of his most famous compositions include “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” and “In dulci jubilo.” Steurlein was also a skilled organist and wrote several pieces for the instrument. He was an important figure in the development of German music during the Renaissance period.

    Many many thanks for the introduction,Margaret. Every time I stop by I learn something new.

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