Sur le Pont d’Avignon

song / chant

Info

This song refers to Pont (Bridge) St. Bénézet, a medieval (15th century) bridge in Avignon in southern France. (source)

Lyrics - French

(Folk song from France)

Refrain
Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse, on y danse,
Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse tout en rond.

1. Les messieurs font comme ça
Et puis encore comme ça. Refrain

2. Les dames font comme ça
Et puis encore comme ça. Refrain

3. Les musiciens font comme ça
Et puis encore comme ça. Refrain

4. Les soldats font comme ça
Et puis encore comme ça. Refrain

Add any profession and act it out.

English Translation - On the bridge of Avignon

Refrain
On the bridge of Avignon the people dance
On the bridge of Avignon the people dance in a circle.

1. The gentlemen go like this
And again like that. Refrain

2. The ladies go like this
And again like that. Refrain

3. The musicians go like this
And again like that. Refrain

4. The soldiers go like this
And again like that. Refrain

Dance

Formation: Students stand in a circle next to their partners, holding hands.

1st time: Ms. 1-8 = Students skip around the circle to the left.
Verse 1 Ms. 9-10 = Boys face partners, bow, and remove imaginary hats.
Ms. 11-12 = Boys face the person behind them and bow again, tipping their imaginary hats.

2nd time: Refrain = Repeat Ms. 1-8
Verse 2 (girls) Ms. 9-10 = Girls turn to partners and curtsy.
Ms. 9-10 = Girls face partners and curtsy.
Ms. 11-12 = Girls face the person behind them and curtsy again.

3rd time: Refrain = Repeat Ms. 1-8
Verse 3 Ms. 9-10 = All turn to partners, imitate playing an instrument.
Ms. 11-12 = All do the same motions to the person behind them.

4th time: Refrain = Repeat Ms. 1-8
Verse 4 Ms. 9-10 = All turn to partners, march in place and salute.
Ms. 11-12 = All do the same motions to the person behind them.