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Mar. 8, 2005 “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” is a most delightful little song with music by Louiguy (Louis Gugliemi) and lyrics by Jacques Larue. The version that was most popular in the US was an instrumental rendition by Pérez Prado. There was a Spanish version called “Inolvidable Primavera” (Unforgettable Spring), which I heard a lot when I was traveling in México in the 1960’s, so assuming it was a Spanish song, I learned the Spanish lyrics, which I’ve now forgotten. Then a couple of years ago, I discovered that it was really a French song called “Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc.” Getting through an eleven-stanza song in French without once stumbling on the pronunciation is a real task for me, requiring maybe 200 repetitions over a year’s time, but I finally have it down pat. The music can be heard at this URL: http://www.ezgeta.com/cherry.html There is an English-language version, only vaguely related to the French original, and I don’t know the English version at all, but I reproduce it below, along with the French lyrics, which I got from www.lyricsplayground.com, and my own translation. A very literal rendering of the title would be “Pink Cherry Tree and White Apple Tree”, but I have left the familiar phrase as is. Otherwise I have tried to translate it precisely as possible, without trying to fit the words to the melody. CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE (English) It's cherry pink and apple blossom white When your true lover comes your way. It's cherry pink and apple blossom white The poets say. The story goes that once a cherry tree Beside an apple tree did grow And there a boy once met his bride to be Long long ago. The boy looked into her eyes, it was a sight to enthrall. The breezes joined in their sighs, the blossoms started to fall. And as they gently caressed, the lovers looked up to find The branches of the two trees were intertwined. And that is why the poets always write, If there's a new moon bright above, It's cherry pink and apple blossom white, When you're in love. CERISIER ROSE ET POMMIER BLANC (French) Quand nous jouions à la marelle, Cerisier rose et pommier blanc, J’ai cru mourir d’amour pour elle En l’embrassent. Avec ses airs de demoiselle, Cerisier rose et pommier blanc, Elle avait attiré vers elle Mon coeur d’enfant. La branche d’un cerisier De son jardin caressait La branche d’un vieux pommier Qui dans le miens fleurisset. De voir leurs noeuds enlacés Comme un bouquet de printemps, Nous vint allons la pensée Dén faire autant. Et cette ainsi qu’aux fleurs nouvelles, Cerisier rose et pommier blanc, On fait un soir la courte échelle À nos quinze ans. Non, non, ne dites pas qu’à son âge, Vout n’étiez pas si volage. Non, non, quand deux lèvres vous attirent, J’en sais peu qui peuvent dire non. Quand nous jouions à la marelle, Cerisier rose et pommier blanc, J’ai cru mourir d’amour pour elle En l’embrassent. Mais un beau jour les demoiselles, Frimousse rose et voile blanc, Se font conduire à la chapelle Par leurs galants. Ah, quel bonheur pour chacun! Le cerisier tout fleuri Et le pommier n’en font qu’un Nous sommes femme et mari. De voir les fruits de l’été Naître des fleurs du printemps, L’amour nous a chucoter D’en faire autant. Si cette histoire est éternelle, Pour en savoir le denouement, Apprenez-en la ritournelle Tout simplement. Et dans deux ans, deux bébés roses Faisant la ronde gentiment. Vous chaterons cerisier rose Et pommier blanc. CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE (Translation) When we played hopscotch, Cherry pink and apple blossom white, I thought I’d die of love for her When I embraced her. With her girlish airs, Cherry pink and apple blossom white, She has drawn towards herself My childish heart. The branch of a cherry tree In her garden caressed The branch of an old apple tree That blossomed in mine. As we saw their buds intertwined Like a springtime bouquet, The thought came to us To do the same. And so it was that to the new flowers, Cherry pink and apple blossom white, We made a little ladder, When we were fifteen. No, no, don’t say that at their age, You weren’t so flighty. No, no, when two lips draw you near, I know few who can say, “No!” When we played hopscotch, Cherry pink and apple blossom white, I thought I’d die of love for her When I embraced her. But one fine day the young ladies, Sweet pink faces and white veils, Let themselves be led to the chapel By their boyfriends. Oh, what happiness for everyone! The cherry tree in full bloom And the apple tree won’t have it but that We are wife and husband. As we saw the autumn fruit Born of the flowers of spring, Love has whispered to us To do the same. If this story is eternal, To understand the outcome, Just learn the refrain Quite simply. And within two years, two pink babies Will be doing the round dance gently. You’ll be singing cherry pink And apple blossom white! ------------ About the author Thomas Keyes: I have written two books: A SOJOURN IN ASIA (non-fiction) and A TALE OF UNG (fiction), neither published so far. I have studied languages for years and traveled extensively on five continents. Email: udikeyes@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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