Cool Stuff: France

France has always been a fascinating country to me. As a little girl, I have always dreamed of maybe one day living there for a short period of time (might need to learn French first though!). So I thought it might be cool to learn about their musical culture as a part of my final blog. France is a large country in Europe that has a culture like no other in my opinion. From the food, to the music, to even the style of clothing. 

First up in my cool stuff blog, a common instrument you would fine in folklore music.

1. The Accordion

Now, this is probably one of my favorite instruments. Im not sure why, but something about the sound of it and the way it is played makes me want to spin around in circles while squeezing it! The accordion is a box shaped, free-reed instrument. It is a portable instrument with external piano style keys with treble and bass being in opposite hands. In between both hands are bellows that are squeezed together, which will then produce sound. The video above, I think explains the history very of the accordion very well, while she also demonstrates the accordion's abilities very well!

Next, I wanted to get a bit into the music of France. Now, hang in here, because if you aren't fluent in French, this might get a bit interesting. I Decided to start with a song we all know.

1. Frére Jaques 

This is a common nursery rhyme that is sung. In fact, I remember my mom teaching me this song when I was younger. Unfortunately, looking at the lyrics, I wasn't even close to pronouncing the words right! I translated the lyrics so those of you who wondered what the song was about could read them! Many nursery rhymes are popular in French culture, and are even sung outside of France like this one here!

Brother Jacques 
Frère Jacques 
Brother Jacques 
Frère Jacques 
Are you sleeping 
Dormez-vous 
Are you sleeping 
Dormez-vous 
Ring the matins 
Sonnez les matines 
Ring the matins 
Sonnez les matines 
Ding, dang, dong 
Ding, dang, dong 
Ding, dang, dong
Ding, dang, dong

Brother Jacques 
Frère Jacques 
Brother Jacques 
Frère Jacques 
Do you sleep (Brother Jacques) 
Dormez-vous (Frère Jacques) 
Do you sleep (Brother Jacques) 
Dormez-vous (Frère Jacques) 
Ring the matins (do you sleep) 
Sonnez les matines (dormez-vous) 
Ring the matins (do you sleep) 
Sonnez les matines (dormez-vous) 
Ding, dang, dong (ring the matins) 
Ding, dang, dong (sonnez les matines) 
Ding, dang, dong (ring the matins) 
Ding, dang, dong (sonnez les matines) 
(Ding, dang, dong) 
(Ding, dang, dong) 
(Ding, dang, dong)
(Ding, dang, dong)

2. Pique La Baleine

In the 20th century, after the industrial revolution, many European contries were treated with the loss of there music history. However, France didn't let that happen and folk music became suddenly popular! While it isn't popular in todays culture, it is among tourists who visit. In looking for a folk song, I was really trying to get all the elements that you would normally hear in a French folk song as I could in to one video. In this piece, you will hear the accordion straight out the gate. You'll also hear that bounce style "oompa, oompa" that was mentioned in the video above. Depending on where you travel to in France, the folk music varies a bit. 

Pour retrouver ma douce amie
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}
Pour retrouver ma douce amie
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}

{Chorus}
Pique la baleine, joli baleinier
Pique la baleine, je veux naviguer.

Aux mille mers j'ai navigué.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}
Aux mille mers j'ai navigué.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}

{Chorus}

Des mers du nord aux mers du sud.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}
Des mers du nord aux mers du sud.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}

Je l'ai retrouvée quand j'm'ai noyé.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}
Je l'ai retrouvée quand j'm'ai noyé.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}

Dans les grands fonds, elle m'espérait.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}
Je l'ai retrouvée quand j'm'ai noyé.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}

Tous deux ensemble on a pleuré.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}
Tous deux ensemble on a pleuré.
{Oh mes boués, ouh là ouh là là.}

In Translation:

To find my sweet love,
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}
To find my sweet love,
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}

{Chorus}
Lance the whale, jolly whalerman,
You lance the whale, I'll steer.

I sailed many seas
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}
I sailed many seas
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}

From the north to the south.
{Oh my boys, oh la la,}
From the north to the south.
{Oh my boys, oh la la,}

I found my love when I drowned.
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}
I found my love when I drowned.
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}

In the great depths she was waiting for me,
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}
In the great depths she was waiting for me,
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}

The two of us together we cried.
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}
The two of us together we cried.
{Oh my boys, oh la ooh la-la,}

3. Clothing

France is wildly know for is fashion. So I looked into traditional French apparel. France is known as the home of fashion. Many famous designers like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and even Dior call France their home.  Fun Fact, the term "haute couture" is associated with France And is loosely translated to hand made to order. But what about traditional clothing? Traditional clothing is till worn at festivals and celebrations. Traditional clothing for women include white, lace trimmed blouses and irons decorated with colorful flowers. Traditional clothing isn't as popular as it was in the 18th century, but it can still be seen in traditional celebrations and festivals such as the Arvor Festival.

Lastly, I wanted to explore some of the cuisine of France. I mean who doesn't love food, right?

1. Soupe á L'ongion

This is a traditional French soup made of onions and beef stock. Sounds not so appetizing but man could the sight of it make it look amazing. This dish was normally served with bread or croutons. Dating back to roman times, this dish was normally served to peasants. The flavor of the dish comes from the caramelization of the onion, and then add a dash of brandy or sherry and serve it!

2. Chocolate Soufflé

You had me at the word chocolate! Honestly, this dish looks super tasty. The word Soufflé comes from the French verb "to blow." The name suggests that the dish would be light and airy. The dish actually dates back to the 18th century, however, soufflés don't have to be sweet. There is a such thing as a cheese soufflé!

Works Cited

“Accordion.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,          www.britannica.com/art/accordion. 

“The Top 10 French Foods – with Full Recipes.” Expatica, 27 Oct. 2020,www.expatica.com/fr/lifestyle/food-drink/top-french-foods-with-recipes-106720/. 

Zimmermann, Kim Ann. “French Culture: Customs & Traditions.” LiveScience, Purch, 22 July 2017, www.livescience.com/39149-french-culture.html.