My daughter is very interested in movement songs at the moment. In the mornings, when the caffeine still hasn’t kicked in, I often put on her “action songs” playlist on Spotify, and she immediately finds her scarves and starts twirling around and dancing to the music, giving me a few precious minutes to enjoy breakfast. La valse des foulards or The Scarves Waltz in English is a French movement song that is excellent for your budding francophone. It is full of action vocabulary, with verbs such as to turn, waltz, stop, hold, swing, wave, dance, clap, and more.
La valse des foulards lyrics (including the English translation)
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| Tournez, tournez et agitez vos foulards Valsez, valsez, attention ça repart Tournez, tournez, chacun à sa façon Valsez, valsez, maintenant arrêtons | Turn, turn and wave your scarves Waltz, waltz, be careful, it starts again Turn, turn, each in their own way Waltz, waltz, now let’s stop |
| Tendez bien entre vos mains Votre foulard, on se prépare Balancez de chaque côté Et sans danser, commencez | Hold tight in your hands Your scarf, we are getting ready Swing on either side And without dancing, start |
| Vous prenez pour continuer Un p’tit copain par une main Vos foulards font au revoir Et en musique on s’applique | You take to continue A little friend by one hand Your scarves are saying goodbye And in music we apply ourselves |
| Vous posez tous à vos pieds Votre foulard, on se sépare Dans vos mains vous frappez bien Et tous, chantons la chanson | You all lay at your feet Your scarf, we are parting In your hands, you clap well And all, let’s sing the song |
| Sans se tromper, vous ramassez Votre tissu, ne bougez plus Puis chantez pour terminer Tout en dansant joliment | Without making a mistake, you pick up Your fabric, don’t move Then sing to finish While dancing beautifully |
La valse des foulards video
What is your child’s favourite French movement song?
Related: Learning French through song and music
