š French Christmas Carol “Petit Papa NoĆ«l” (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. Itās 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 Noƫl, made famous by Tino Rossi (see video below) is probably the most popular French Christmas song.
Petit Papa NoĆ«l ā Most Famous French Christmas Song

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US$119.99US$95.99Here is a video of Leyla singing the very famous French Christmas song āPetit Papa NoĆ«lā ā I have many more videos on my YouTube Channel ā subscribe!
Petit Papa NoĆ«l ā Dear Little Santa, Chorus only
Thatās the part of the song āPetit Papa NoĆ«lā that most people and children know.
Petit papa Noƫl
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
Nāoublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
Cāest un peu Ć cause de moi.
Little Santa Claus
When you will come down from the sky
With thousands of toys
Donāt forget my little shoe.
But before you leave
You should dress warmly
Outside you will be so cold
And itās 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, itās not too religious but more about the Christmas spirit and Santa, which a lot of people like.
And now for Tino Rossiās version of Petit Papa NoĆ«l
Petit Papa NoĆ«l ā French Lyrics and English translation
Chorus / Refrain
Petit papa Noƫl
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
Nāoublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
Cāest un peu Ć cause de moi.
Little Santa Claus
When you come down from the sky
With thousands of toys
Donāt forget my little stocking.
But before you leave
You should dress well
Outside you will be so cold
And itās kind of my fault.
ā-
Cāest la belle nuit de Noel
La neige Ʃtend son manteau blanc
Et les yeux levƩs vers le ciel
A genoux, les petits enfants
Avant de fermer les paupiĆØres
Font une derniĆØre priĆØre.
Itās 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 passƩ
Les enfants vont faire dodo
Et tu vas pouvoir commencer
Avec ta hotte sur le dos
Au son des cloches des Ʃglises
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 lĆØve
Pour voir si tu māas apportĆ©
Tous les beaux joujoux que je vois en rĆŖve
Et que je tāai commandĆ©s.
I canāt 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 dāabord sur notre maison
Je nāai pas Ć©tĆ© tous les jours trĆØs sage
Mais jāen demande pardon.
And when you are on your beautiful cloud
Come first to our house
I wasnāt always very good
But I ask for your forgiveness.
Refrain
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