Les Trois Cloches Lyrics in English Édith Piaf , Les Compagnons De La Chanson

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Les Trois Cloches by Édith Piaf from French to English.
Village deep in the valley
As if lost, almost unknown
Now, in the starry night
A newborn is given to us
His name is Jean-François Nicot
He's chubby, gentle and rosy
In church, lovely little man
Tomorrow you'll be baptized
A bell tolls, tolls
Its voice from echo to echo
Tells the astonished world
It's for Jean-François Nicot
It's to welcome a soul
A flower opening to the day
Barely, barely a flame
Still weak, that asks for
Protection, tenderness, love
Village deep in the valley
Far from roads, far from people
Now, after nineteen years
Heart aflutter, Jean-François
Takes the sweet Élise for wife
White like an apple-blossom
Before God in the old church
That day, they got married
All the bells toll, toll
Their voices from echo to echo
Wonderfully crowns
The wedding of François Nicot
One single heart, one single soul
Says the priest, and forever
Be a pure flame
That rises and proclaims
The greatness of your love
Village deep in the valley
Days, nights, time has flown
Now, in the starry night
A heart falls asleep, François is dead
For all flesh is like grass
It is like the flower of the fields
Ears of grain, ripe fruit, bouquets and sheaves
Alas, everything dries away
A bell tolls, tolls
She sings in the wind
Haunting and monotone
She tells the living again
Don't tremble, faithful hearts
God will give you a sign one day
You'll find beneath His wing
Along with eternal life
The eternity of love
Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, LES NOUVELLES EDITIONS MERIDIAN
Jean Villard
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Les Trois Cloches invites you to step into a quiet French village where the church bells are the village’s heartbeat. With Édith Piaf’s soaring vocals joined by the warm harmonies of Les Compagnons de la Chanson, the song paints three vivid scenes. One bell tolls for baby Jean-François Nicot’s baptism, another peals joyfully for his wedding to the gentle Élise, and the last rings in a slow, haunting echo to mark his passing. Each chime changes color—from hopeful, to jubilant, to reflective—turning the bells into storytellers that guide us through an entire life.

Underneath this simple narrative lies a richer message about the human journey. The lyrics celebrate community, faith, and love that outlasts earthly limits: villagers gather for every milestone, a priest blesses lifelong unity, and the final bell offers comfort with the promise of eternal love. In just a few verses, the song reminds us that while our days may be fleeting, the bonds we forge and the hope we carry can resonate like bells long after we are gone.

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