🎄 French Christmas Carol “Petit Papa Noël” (Translation + Video)

Leyla learned this sing at school, so we thought we’d share it with you. This is one of the most famous Christmas song, made famous in 1946 France by the singer Tino Rossi (see link below). The original version is much longer, but most children only sing the chorus.

Christmas Carols in France?

Christmas carols are not common in France. It’s not traditional in France to have carolers caroling in the streets at Christmas time. However we do have many religious Christmas songs, and some popular Christmas songs.

Petit Papa Noël, made famous by Tino Rossi (see video below) is probably the most popular French Christmas song.

Petit Papa Noël – Most Famous French Christmas Song

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Here is a video of Leyla singing the very famous French Christmas song “Petit Papa Noël” – I have many more videos on my YouTube Channel – subscribe!

Petit Papa Noël – Dear Little Santa, Chorus only

That’s the part of the song “Petit Papa Noël” that most people and children know.

Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
C’est un peu à cause de moi.

Little Santa Claus
When you will come down from the sky
With thousands of toys
Don’t forget my little shoe.
But before you leave
You should dress warmly
Outside you will be so cold
And it’s a bit my fault.

I believe all French people know at least the four first verses of this song. It is truly one of the most famous French Christmas songs, it’s not too religious but more about the Christmas spirit and Santa, which a lot of people like.

And now for Tino Rossi’s version of Petit Papa Noël

Petit Papa Noël – French Lyrics and English translation

Chorus / Refrain

Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
C’est un peu à cause de moi.

Little Santa Claus
When you come down from the sky
With thousands of toys
Don’t forget my little stocking.
But before you leave
You should dress well
Outside you will be so cold
And it’s kind of my fault.

—-

C’est la belle nuit de Noel
La neige étend son manteau blanc
Et les yeux levés vers le ciel
A genoux, les petits enfants
Avant de fermer les paupières
Font une dernière prière.

It’s the beautiful Christmas night
The snow spreads its white coat
And their eyes raised towards the sky
On their knees, the little children
Before closing their eyelids
Address a last prayer

Refrain

Le marchand de sable est passé
Les enfants vont faire dodo
Et tu vas pouvoir commencer
Avec ta hotte sur le dos
Au son des cloches des églises
Ta distribution de surprises.

The sandman has passed
The children are going to sleep
And you will be able to begin,
With your sack on your back,
To the sound of church bells,
Your distribution of surprises.

Refrain

Il me tarde que le jour se lève
Pour voir si tu m’as apporté
Tous les beaux joujoux que je vois en rêve
Et que je t’ai commandés. 

I can’t wait for sunrise
To see if you brought me
All the lovely toys that I see in my dreams
And that I ordered from you.

Refrain

Et quand tu seras sur ton beau nuage
Viens d’abord sur notre maison
Je n’ai pas été tous les jours très sage
Mais j’en demande pardon.

And when you are on your beautiful cloud
Come first to our house
I wasn’t always very good
But I ask for your forgiveness.

Refrain

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