Il était un petit Navire

Gentle French nursery rhyme with actions and lots of repetition about a little boat that sets sail for the first time.  
Learn the lyrics and join in with the first verse of this 16th Century French song.

Video

Actions

Verse:  Sit facing a partner, feet touching and holding hands, rocking back and forth in time with the music.
Chorus:  Stop and raise a hand to your forehead to look out to sea.

Verse:
Il était un petit navire
Il était un petit navire
Qui n’avait ja- ja- jamais navigué
Qui n’avait ja- ja- jamais navigué
Ohé, Ohé!

Chorus:
Ohé Ohé matelot,
matelot navigue sur les flots
Ohé, Ohé matelot,
matelot navigue sur les flots.

English Translation

There was a little boat
There was a little boat
Which had never sailed
Which had never sailed.

Ahoy, Ahoy sailor,
sailor sails upon the waves.
Ahoy, ahoy sailor,
sailor sails upon the waves.

For more free French song recordings go to:
A Green Mouse French Songs