Compagnons de la Marjolaine

Compagnon de la Marjolaine (also known as Le chevalier du guet) is a traditional French song with lyrics dating from the 16th century.

The story of the song

The song was composed around 1650 and was most probably inspired by a dispute that the the knight of the watch (chevalier du guet), a very powerful person in Paris at the time, had with the Marjoram companions (Compagnons de la Marjolaine), who also formed a very powerful brotherhood.

What is 'marjolaine'?

Marjoram is a flower known for its flavour and once picked is not subject to withering or rotting. It is used as a flavouring or as an infusion. Thus, the "Compagnons de la Marjolaine" referred to the brotherhood of perfumers...

Who was the 'chevalier du guet'?

The watchmen of the night who patrolled the streets of Paris were a bourgeois militia who were supposed to keep watch over the safety of the squares, streets, alleys and lanes at night, which were not very safe in the Middle Ages.

The knight of the watch was the supreme chief of the Paris police, who had a lot to do with the exploits of big and small crooks, fights and murders.

Compagnon de la Marjolaine

Lyrics, music, free download... let's learn more about the popular song:

The lyrics in French

The original song of Compagnon de la Marjolaine has 19 verses.

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is an approximative translation into English:

Verse 1

What's going on here so late?
Companions of the Marjoram,
What's going on here so late?
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 2

It is the knight of the watch,
Companions of the Marjoram,
It's the knight of the watch,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 3

What does the knight ask?
Companions of the Marjoram,
What does the knight ask?
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 4

A girl to marry,
Companions of the Marjoram,
A girl to marry,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 5

There is no girl to marry,
Companions of the Marjoram,
There's no girl to marry,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 6

I was told that you had some,
Companions of the Marjoram,
I was told that you had some,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 7

Those who said it were mistaken,
Companions of the Marjoram,
Those who said it were wrong,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 8

I want you to give me some,
Companions of the Marjoram,
I want you to give me some,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 9

At eleven o'clock, pass again
companions of the Marjoram,
At eleven o’clock, pass again
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 10

The eleven hours are well spent,
Companions of the Marjoram,
The eleven hours are well spent,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 11

At midnight, return,
Companions of the Marjoram,
At midnight, return,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 12

The Midnight is well sounded,
Companions of the Marjoram,
The midnight is well sounded,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 13

But our girls are in bed,
Companions of the Marjoram,
But our girls are in bed,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 14

Is one of them awake?
Companions of the Marjoram,
Is one of them awake?
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 15

What will you give her?
Companions of the Marjoram,
What will you give her?
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 16

Gold, jewels enough,
Companions of the Marjoram,
Gold, jewels enough,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 17

She's not interested,
Companions of the Marjoram,
She's not interested,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 18

My heart I'll give her,
Companions of the Marjoram,
My heart I'll give her,
Gay, gay, over the quay.

Verse 19

In this case choose,
Companions of the Marjoram,
In this case choose,
Gay, gay, over the quay.