17 February

Pierre

Une souris verte is a traditional French song with lyrics dating from the 18th century (and maybe from the 17th century).

The story of the song

The origins of this song are unclear. There are thus several more or less plausible interpretations to explain who the famous green mouse is.

A Vendéen soldier?

The 'green mouse' could refer to a Vendéen soldier. The green echoes the green colour of the cavalry. Hunted by republican soldiers during the Vendée war (French Revolution, 1793-1796), he was tortured to death (the oil and water would refer to the torments of boiling oil and drowning).

Vendée War. Painting by Paul-Émile Boutigny

Vendée War. Painting by Paul-Émile Boutigny

However, it would seem that no specialist book has cited Une Souris verte among the many songs generated by the French Revolution.

A witch?

The song could also refer to the witch-hunt that was conducted at the stake.

The mouse would be a woman, accused of witchcraft and trying to escape her executioners.

She would then be found guilty ("Je la montre à ces messieurs"/ I show it to the gentlemen) and smeared with oil and water before being burned at the stake.

Une souris verte

Today, the song has been expanded with many verses, some of which are very contemporary. You can let your imagination run wild and create your own!

Une souris verte

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

Une souris verte

The lyrics in French

There are many variations of the song Une souris verte.

Part 1

Une souris verte

Qui courait dans l'herbe

Je l'attrape par la queue

Je la montre à ces messieurs

Ces messieurs me disent

Trempez-la dans l'huile

Trempez-la dans l'eau

Ça fera un escargot

Tout chaud


Part 2

Je la mets dans mon chapeau
Elle me dit qu’il fait trop chaud

Je la mets dans ma chemise
Elle me fait trois petites bises

Je la mets dans mon tiroir
Elle me dit qu’il fait trop noir

Je la mets dans la casserole
Elle danse le rock’n’roll

Je la mets dans ma chaussure
Elle me dit ça pue trop dur

Je la mets sur ma moto
Elle écoute la radio

Je la mets dans ma culotte
Elle me fait trois petites crottes

Je la mets dans ma p’tite main
Elle me fait un gros câlin

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is an approximative translation into English:

Part 1

A green mouse
Running through the grass
I grab it by the tail
I show it to these gentlemen
These gentlemen say to me
Soak it in oil
Soak it in water
It will make a snail
All warmed up


Part 2

I put it in my hat
She tells me it's too hot

I put it in my shirt
She gives me three little kisses

I put her in my drawer
She tells me it's too dark

I put her in the pan
She dances rock'n'roll

I put her in my shoe
She says it stinks too bad

I put her on my bike
She listens to the radio

I put her in my panties
She gives me three little poops

I put her in my little hand
She gives me a big hug

Download the Lyrics for FREE!

No need to type name or email 😀

Une souris verte © French Moments

French Nursery Rhymes

My challenge for the year 2023 is to publish 80 French Nursery Rhymes lyrics and descriptions (list below). Come back as time goes by to discover the new articles:

French Nursery Rhymes Cover by French Moments
French Nursery Rhymes
A la claire fontaine © French Moments
Ah ! dis-moi donc bergère © French Moments
Ah ! Les crocodiles © French Moments
Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman © French Moments
Ainsi font, font, font © French Moments
Alouette gentille alouette © French Moments
Au clair de la lune © French Moments
Au feu les pompiers © French Moments
Au royaume de Diguedondaine © French Moments
Auprès de ma blonde © French Moments
Aux marches du palais © French Moments
Blanc Blanc Blanc belle rose © French Moments
Bon voyage Monsieur Dumollet © French Moments
Buvons un coup ma serpette est perdue © French Moments
C'est la mère Michel © French Moments
C'était Anne de Bretagne © French Moments
Cadet Rousselle © French Moments
Car c’est un bon camarade © French Moments
Chère Élise © French Moments
Chevaliers de la table ronde © French Moments
Colchiques dans les prés © French Moments
Compagnons de la Marjolaine © French Moments
Dame Tartine © French Moments
Dans les prisons de Nantes © French Moments
Dansons la capucine © French Moments
Dodo, l'enfant do © French Moments
En passant par la Lorraine © French Moments
Fais dodo © French Moments
Fleur d’épine © French Moments
Frère Jacques © French Moments
Gentil coquelicot © French Moments
Il court, il court, le furet © French Moments
Il était un petit cordonnier © French Moments
Il était un petit navire © French Moments
Il était une bergère © French Moments
Il pleut, il pleut, bergère © French Moments
J'ai du bon tabac © French Moments
J'ai un gros nez rouge © French Moments
J'fais pipi sur le gazon © French Moments
Je te tiens par la barbichette © French Moments
Joyeux anniversaire © French Moments
La bonne aventure ô gué © French Moments
La danse des canards © French Moments
La légende de saint Nicolas © French Moments
Le bon roi Dagobert © French Moments
Le carillon de Vendôme © French Moments
Le coucou © French Moments
Le facteur n'est pas passé © French Moments
Le fermier dans son pré © French Moments
Le temps des cerises © French Moments
Le temps du muguet © French Moments
Le vieux MacDonald © French Moments
Les filles de La Rochelle © French Moments
Maman les p'tits bateaux © French Moments
Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre © French Moments
Meunier, tu dors © French Moments
Mignonne allons voir si la rose © French Moments
Mon âne © French Moments
Mon père m'a donné un mari © French Moments
Ne pleure pas Jeannette © French Moments
Nous n'irons plus au bois © French Moments
Ô gai, vive la rose © French Moments
Passe passe passera © French Moments
Pirouette Cacahuète © French Moments
Plantons la vigne © French Moments
Pomme de reinette et pomme d'api © French Moments
Pomme, pêche, poire, abricot © French Moments
Promenons-nous dans les bois © French Moments
Savez-vous planter les choux ? © French Moments
Sur la route de Dijon © French Moments
Sur la route de Louviers © French Moments
Sur le pont d'Avignon © French Moments
Sur le pont du nord © French Moments
Tout va très bien madame la marquise © French Moments
Trois jeunes tambours © French Moments
Un éléphant ça trompe énormément © French Moments
Un kilomètre à pied © French Moments
Un, deux, trois, nous irons au bois © French Moments
Une chanson douce © French Moments
Une poule sur un mur © French Moments
Une souris verte © French Moments
V'la le bon vent © French Moments
Voici le mois de mai © French Moments
Y avait dix filles dans un pré © French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of the Discovery Course on the Secrets of the Eiffel Tower and the Christmas book "Voyage au Pays de Noël".

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