À La Claire Fontaine

By the clear fountain
As I was walking
I found the water so beautiful
That I bathed in it

I have loved you for so long
I will never forget you

Under the leaves of an oak tree
I dried myself
On the highest branch
The nightingale sang

I have loved you for so long
I will never forget you

Sing, nightingale, sing
You who have a cheerful heart
You have a heart to laugh
I have one to cry

I have loved you for so long
I will never forget you

It's for my friend Pierre
Who no longer wants to love me
For a rosebud
That I refused him

I have loved you for so long
I will never forget you

I lost my friend
Without deserving it
For a bouquet of roses
That I refused him

I have loved you for so long
I will never forget you