Nous n’irons plus au bois

Nous n'irons plus au bois is a traditional French song with lyrics dating from the 18th century.

The story of the song

Nous n'irons plus au bois (We won't go to the woods again) is a French children's circle. According to wikipedia, it was created at Christmas 1753 by Madame de Pompadour, for the children of the nearby village, after Louis XV had offered her the Hôtel d'Évreux, which was to become the Élysée Palace.

However, other sources indicate that the song goes back much earlier, to the 16th century in particular.

Not a song for children?

However, the children's rhyme has a hidden meaning that is not aimed at children: it denounces in a roundabout way the ban on of some forms of immorality during part of the reign of Louis XIV.

Nous n'irons plus au bois

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The lyrics in French

The original song of Nous n'irons plus au bois has 6 verses and a chorus.

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is an approximative translation into English:

Verse 1

We won't go to the woods anymore, the laurels are cut
The beautiful one will pick them up

Chorus

Enter the dance, see how we dance,
Jump, dance, kiss whoever you want.

Verse 2

And the laurels of the wood let us wither
No, each in turn will pick them up

Verse 3

If the cicada sleeps there, don't hurt her
The nightingale's song will wake her up

Verse 4

And also the warbler with her sweet throat
And Jeanne, the shepherdess, with her white basket,

Verse 5

Cicada, my cicada, let's go, we must sing
For the laurels of the wood are already grown

Verse 6

Cicada, my cicada in the spring will sing
For the laurels of the wood are already grown