Maman les petits bateaux (also known as Maman les p'tits bateaux) is a French children's song dating from the late 19th century.
The story of the song
Maman les petits bateaux is a children's rhyme first referenced in the novel Peter Ibbetson (1891) by the French-born British writer George du Maurier (1834-1896).
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The song that inspired a clothing brand
You may know the French children's clothing brand "Petit Bateau"?
Legend has it that Pierre Valton, the founder, came up with the name Petit Bateau after hearing his son humming this nursery rhyme.
Maman les petits bateaux
Lyrics, music, free download... let's learn more about the popular song:
The lyrics in French
The original song of Maman les petits bateaux has 1 chorus and 1 verse and optionally a second chorus.
Refrain 1
Maman les petits bateaux
Qui vont sur l’eau
Ont-ils des jambes ?
Mais oui, mon gros bêta
S'ils n'en avaient pas,
Ils ne marcheraient pas
Couplet
Allant droit devant eux,
Ils font le tour du monde
Mais comme la terre est ronde,
Ils reviennent chez eux.
Refrain 2
Maman les petits bateaux
Qui vont sur l'eau
Ont-ils une âme ?
Mais oui, mon gros bêta
S'ils n'en avaient pas,
Ils n'avanceraient pas !
Translation of the lyrics into English
Here is an approximative translation into English:
Chorus 1
Mummy the little boats
That go on the water
Do they have legs?
Yes, they do, my big silly
If they didn't,
They wouldn't walk
Verse
Going straight ahead,
They go around the world
But as the earth is round,
They return home.
Chorus 2
Mama the little boats
That go on the water
Do they have a soul?
Yes, they do, my big silly
If they didn't,
They wouldn't move on!
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