On parole de batre et de vanner
Et de foïr et de hanner
Mais ce deduis trop me desplaise
Car il n'est si bonne vie
Que d'etre a aise
De bon clair vin et de chapons
Et d'etre aveuc bons compaignon
Liés et joians
Chantans truffans et amourous
Et d'avoir quant c'on a mestier,
Pour solacier belles dames a devis:
Et tout ce truev'on a Paris.
alto
A Paris soir et matin
Truev'on bon pain et bon cler vin
Bonne char et bon poisson
De toutes guises compaignons
Sens soutie, grant baudour,
Biaus joiaus dames d'ounour
Et si truev'on bien entredeus
De menre feur pour homes desiteus.
bass
Frese nouvelle!
Muere france!
English translation
They say we ought to thresh and winnow the wheat,
huffing and puffing, but that's not for me.
There's no better life than sitting around,
drinking good clear wine and eating roast chicken,
having a good time with good friends,
singing, stuffing ourselves, thinking thoughts of love—
with everything at hand to satisfy
those lovely ladies you're eyeing.
And all this you can get in Paris!
In Paris, day and night, you can get good bread,
good clear wine, and good fish,
friends of all kinds, witty and fun,
and beautiful ladies out for a good time—
and all this even when you're broke!