La Marseillaise Lyrics in English Édith Piaf

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song La Marseillaise by Édith Piaf from French to English.
These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!
Arise, children of the fatherland
The day of glory has arrived
Against us, tyranny's
Bloody banner is raised
Bloody banner is raised
Do you hear in the countryside
The roar of these ferocious soldiers?
They're coming right into our arms
To slit the throats of our sons, our women!
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
Let's march
Let's march
Let an impure blood
Soak our furrows
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
Let's march
Let's march
Let an impure blood
Soak our furrows
Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors
Strike or hold back your blows
Spare these wretched victims
Regretfully arming themselves against us
Regretfully arming themselves against us
But these bloodthirsty despots
But these accomplices of Bouillé
All these tigers who, without pity
Tear their mother's breast
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
Let's march
Let's march
Let an impure blood
Soak our furrows
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
Let's march
Let's march
Let an impure blood
Soak our furrows
Sacred love of the fatherland
Lead, support our avenging arms
Liberty, cherished Liberty
Fight with your defenders
Fight with your defenders
Under our flags, let victory
Hurry to your powerful calls
Let your dying enemies
See your triumph and our glory
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
Let's march
Let's march
Let an impure blood
Soak our furrows
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
Let's march
Let's march
Let an impure blood
Soak our furrows
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MagnanimesMagnanimous

Magnanimes means 'magnanimous', referring to someone who is generous, forgiving, and noble in spirit, especially towards a rival or less powerful person. It's a sophisticated and less common word in everyday French.

In "La Marseillaise", it's used in the line "Français, en guerriers magnanimes" (French, as magnanimous warriors). This suggests a call for the French soldiers to fight with honor and nobility, even in the heat of battle, embodying a high moral standard. It offers a glimpse into the song's historical and cultural context beyond just its revolutionary fervor.

Get ready for a song that's more than just a song; it's a piece of history! "La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France, and its powerful lyrics tell a story of revolution and fierce patriotism. Written in 1792 during the French Revolution, it was a rallying cry for soldiers marching to defend their homeland against foreign invaders who wanted to crush the new republic. The song is a dramatic call to action, urging the citoyens (citizens) to take up arms and fight against tyranny.

As you listen, you'll hear vivid and intense imagery. The lyrics paint a picture of a nation in peril, with "ferocious soldiers" threatening their families and freedom. The famous chorus, "Aux armes, citoyens!" ("To arms, citizens!"), is a powerful command to form battalions and march to protect their land. It's a song about courage, the love for one's country (l'amour sacré de la patrie), and the fight for liberty, making it one of the most passionate and stirring national anthems in the world.

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