french

How To Read The Anthem
You will not get much out of the anthem if you skim through it or only know the meanings of half the
words. There are two ways you can read it. The first is to read the French text and English translation below.
The second way will lead to a greater understanding of the anthem, but is more time consuming. Read a line,
look up (http://translate.google.com/translate_t) words you don't know, then continue on to the next line.
When you finish reading a verse, you should reread both in French and English to make sure you understand
both the overall picture and each line. It may be necessary to repeat this several times. After reading the
entire anthem once, quickly read it a second time. You should be able to reread it in no time at all. If you
find yourself having trouble rereading the anthem, read it a third time until you are comfortable reading it.
Vocabulary
la Patrie fatherland
le citoyen citizen
The Anthem
I.
French lyrics
English Translation
Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé (bis)
Entendez-vous dans nos campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes !
Verse I
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Refrain :
Aux armes citoyens
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons, marchons
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons
Refrain
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II.
Que veut cette horde d'esclaves
De traîtres, de rois conjurés ?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis)
Français, pour nous, ah ! quel outrage
Quels transports il doit exciter ?
C'est nous qu'on ose méditer
De rendre à l'antique esclavage !
Verse II
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(refrain)