Alouette

Alouette means “lark” in French. The title of an earworm children’s song, read on to learn more about its true (and violent) meaning.

The song is said to have French-Canadian origins as the lyrics were first published in “A Pocket Song Book for the Use of Students and Graduates of McGill College” in Montréal (1879). It is likely much older as most traditional songs are passed on via word-of-mouth before they are published formally, especially prior to the 20th century. Some believe it originated in France, though the first known French publication of the song came 14 years after the 1879 publication.

When translated, the lyrics depict the plucking of a nice little lark by body part before cooking it. However disturbing it may sound, this is merely a sign of the times in which it was written.

If you’ve ever rowed a boat, you know that rhythm is key. For hundreds of years, canoes were used for the French fur trade in North America. To row the boats, rowers sang steady, repetitive rhythmic songs like “Alouette”: which features a strong emphasis on the beginning of each line. Singing rowers were prized in the industry and thus their songs were important, too.

The theme or melody of French-Canadian folk song "Alouette".

French colonists ate horned larks, which they considered to be a game bird. Singing “Alouette” while thinking about finding, killing, plucking, and eating the bird motivated the rowers even more as they paddled through streams and rivers.

Another theory regarding why this songbird was targeted is that the lark was the first bird to sing in the morning, thus waking everyone up too early, including annoyed lovers who would then have to part ways.

The song’s rather ruthless message wrapped inside an innocently sweet tune lives on. But eating tiny birds, not so much (thankfully).

Full Lyrics

Alouette, gentille Alouette,

Alouette, je te plumerai,

Alouette, gentille Alouette,

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai la tête

Je te plumerai la tête

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai le bec

Je te plumerai le bec

Et le bec, et le bec

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai le cou

Je te plumerai le cou

Et le cou, et le cou

Et le bec, et le bec

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai les ailes

Je te plumerai les ailes

Et les ailes, et les ailes

Et le cou, et le cou

Et le bec, et le bec

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai le dos

Je te plumerai le dos

Et le dos, et le dos

Et les ailes, et les ailes

Et le cou, et le cou

Et le bec, et le bec

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai les pattes

Je te plumerai les pattes

Et les pattes, et les pattes

Et le dos, et le dos

Et les ailes, et les ailes

Et le cou, et le cou

Et le bec, et le bec

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

Je te plumerai la queue

Je te plumerai la queue

Et la queue, et la queue

Et les pattes, et les pattes

Et le dos, et le dos

Et les ailes, et les ailes

Et le cou, et le cou

Et le bec, et le bec

Et la tête, et la tête

Alouette, Alouette

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Alouette, gentille alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai

References:

https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-the-murderous-french-lullaby-alouette/

https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/Mag/Language/Gentille-Alouette-True-meaning-of-the-not-so-gentle-French-kids-song