Quand je menai les chevaux boire [English translation]

As I went to water the horses

Ilaire, ilaire, itou, ilaire, ilaire, oh ma nanette1

As I went to water the horses

I heard the cuckoo sing (x2)

It told me in its language

...

...

" Your beloved is soon to be burried "

What are you saying there, you mean beast?

...

...

I was by her side only yesterday evening.

And when I came across the moor

...

...

I heard the bells ringing.

And when I came into the church

...

...

I heard the priests singing

I then kicked the coffin2

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" wake up, if you're asleep "

" Neither do I sleep nor slumber

...

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I await you inside of Hell "

" See how my mouth is filled with earth

...

...

while yours is filled with love "

1. that's just a rhythmic/melodic pattern. "nanette" could be an affectionate diminutive, probably of "Anne": "Oh my dear little Anne" or something2. the modern meaning of "châsse" would be "shrine (containing relics)", but I suppose a coffin is meant here