Ferme tes jolie yeux (MS2011-3222-004)

Ferme tes jolie yeux (MS2011-3222-004)

Ferme tes jolis yeux

French language song text from VFC2006-0002 Beaudoin Family Collection. MS2011-3222-004 Eva Lacourse Songbook. Pp. 8-10.

Scope and Content Note:

Strophic song; two verses, one refrain after first verse.

“Ferme tes jolis yeux" is a sentimental, romantic lullaby first published in Paris circa 1912, with lyrics by Virgile Thomas (1876-1942) and René de Buxeuil (aka Jean-Baptiste Chevrier), and music by René de Buxeuil (1881-1959). De Buxeuil, a prolific songwriter and singer, was born in Indre-et-Loire. At the age of 11, he was blinded in accidental shooting and was sent to an institute for the blind in Paris where he was taught music. A prize-winning musician, he began composing songs during his years at school. "Ferme tes jolis yeux" was one of his first hits and was popularized by popular lyric baritone Léonce Junca (aka Junka), a native of Bordeaux, who recorded it on the French Pathé label in the 1910s. In 1921, Junka recorded a 78rpm of this song on the Canadian Starr label http://amicus.collectionscanada.gc.ca/gramophone-bin/Main/ItemDisplay?l=0&l_ef_l=-1&id=196664.314158&v=1&lvl=1&coll=24&rt=1&itm=31397194. In 1926, Québec lyric baritone singer, music teacher, and retailer Joseph Fournier de Belleval (1892-1945) recorded this song for the Victor Talking Machine Co. of Canada (Issue no.: 263215; Side no.: A).

Song traces a girl from the cradle, through adolescence to her wedding night, with a lullaby refrain which tells her to close her pretty eyes, because life and happiness are fleeting illusions.

VFC2006-0002 Beaudoin Family Collection. MS2011-3222 Eva Lacourse Songbook. Vermont Folklife Center Archive, Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury, Vermont, United States of America.

MS2011-3222-004

Ferme tes jolie yeux

Dans son petit lit frais et rose

de Buxeuil, René

Thomas, Virgile

de Buxeuil, René

1
Dans son petit lit frais et rose
Suzette jaze en souriant
Elle babille mille choses
A sa chere et douce maman
Mais chut il faut dormer bien vite
Nous avons assez bavarder
Fait dodo cher petite
Car petit pere va gronder
Et tout en bercant la gamine
Sa mere lui chantais caline

Refrain
Ferme tes jolie yeux
Car les heures son breve
Au parp merveilleux
Au beau parp du reve
Ferme tes jolie yeux
Car tout n’est q’un mensonge
Le Bonheur n’est q’un songe
Ferme tes jolie yeux

2
Da sa chamber e jeune fille
Suzette devant son mirroir
A l’heure ou l’etoile sintille
Vient se contempler chaque soir
Elle admire sa george ronde
Son corp souple, comme un Roseau
Et dans sa tete vagabonde
Naissent mine desirs nouveaux
Laisse la tes filles idees
Gentile poupee
Refrain

3
Enfin c’est le Bonheur supreme
L’instant cheri et tant desire
Avec le fiancé qu’elle aime
Suzon vient de se marier
Le soir dans sa chamber close
Quand somme l’heuredu berger
Elle laisse pudique et rose
Se feuillerla fleur d’oranger
Puis elle ecoute avec tendresse
Son epoux chanter plein d’ivresse

Fin

English summary: Young women are warned to reject suitors who do not love and respect their mothers.