J’ai du bon tabac

J'ai du bon tabac is a traditional French song with lyrics dating from the 18th century.

The story of the song

The popular French song attributed to the Abbé de Lattaignant (1697-1779).

The Parisian chansonnier and poet was the youngest member of an aristocratic family. He was a prolific author and added eight verses to the song.

However, in 1733, French composer Michel Corrette (1707-1795) wrote a comic concerto, La Servante au bon tabac. The theme of the third movement is the melody of the nursery rhyme.

The abbot mocking the count!

The last verse mocks the Count of Clermont-Tonnerre:

Ce bon Monsieur de Clermont-Tonnerre

Who was displeased to be singled out

For having written verses that were not very complimentary of him, the abbot missed, in fact, getting a beating.

It was to get even with the Count that the clergyman composed the last two lines of the couplets:

I have good tobacco in my snuff box

I have good tobacco, you won't have any

Tobacco and snuff boxes in the 18th C

To understand the deeper meaning of the song, one must understand the place of tobacco in 18th century society.

At that time, tobacco was enjoyed by the wealthier people who owned snuff boxes.

European snuff boxes are boxes with lids, in which fingers are dipped to take the tobacco.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, snuff boxes were mainly made of gold with precious stones, silver, enamel, mother-of-pearl or porcelain.

Many artists decorated the lids and interiors of snuff boxes.

Let us return to our abbot. We understand how much Clermont-Tonnerre was irritated by the lack of courtesy of the Lattaignant. By publicly taunting him and refusing to let him take his valuable snuffbox!

J'ai du bon tabac

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

The lyrics in French

The original song has 2 verses. The original version has 10 verses.

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is an approximative translation into English:

Verse 1

I have good tobacco in my snuffbox,
I've got good tobacco, you won't get any.
I've got some fine, grated tobacco,
But it's not for your ugly nose.
I have good tobacco in my snuffbox,
I've got good tobacco, you won't get any.

Verse 2

I have good tobacco to fill my pipe,
I've got good tobacco, you won't get any.
I've got light, dark and grey,
But I only give it to my friends.
I have good tobacco in my snuffbox,
I have good tobacco, you will not have any.