Viens Poupoule! (1902), composed by Adolf Spahn with lyrics by Alexandre Trébitsch and Henri Christiné.
Origins: This catchy café‑concert tune was crafted by adapting the German polka Komm Karlineken, Komm (1898) by Adolf Spahn. Félix Mayol acquired the rights and, with lyricists Christiné and Trébitsch, transformed it into a French hit Histoires des ChansonsPhonobase.
Title Inspiration: The playful refrain “Viens poupoule, viens poupoule, viens!” emerged after Mayol heard a technician affectionately call his wife “poupoule.” He knew immediately it would make a great title Histoires des Chansons.
Recording & Popularity: Mayol recorded the song five times between 1902 and 1932; the 1932 version remains especially beloved Bide et MusiqueHistoires des Chansons.
Though Viens Poupoule! preceded WWI by more than a decade, it saw renewed popularity during the war years. In a collection of Chants de Poilus, it’s listed among the many songs—some patriotic, some lighthearted—that French soldiers and civilians sang in trenches, cafés, and cabarets alike Politique Actu.
Tone & Appeal: Its cheerful and flirtatious nature provided an entertaining, uplifting escape amid the grim realities of wartime. Unlike somber or nationalist anthems, songs like Viens Poupoule! offered a comforting familiarity and light relief.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Composer | Adolf Spahn |
| Lyricists | Alexandre Trébitsch & Henri Christiné |
| Initial Release | 1902 by Félix Mayol |
| Revival | Re-popularized during WWI |
| Appeal | Playful, humorous, evoked everyday Parisian life—perfect for morale-building |
Paroles : Alexandre Trébitsch &
Henri Christiné
Musique : Adolf Spahn
Interprète célèbre : Félix Mayol
J'ai deux grands bœufs dans mon étable,
Deux grands bœufs blancs marqués de roux,
L’un est malade, hélas ! c’est l’diable !
Je n’ai plus que l’autre à genoux.
J’ai du bon tabac dans ma poche,
Du briquet, des allumettes aussi,
Et si la Poupoule est bien bonne,
Nous allons fumer, ma chérie !
Refrain :
Viens Poupoule, viens Poupoule, viens !
Viens Poupoule, viens Poupoule, viens !
Tu auras du lard, du lard et des nouilles,
Chez moi l’ordinaire est des plus gentils.
Viens Poupoule, viens Poupoule, viens !
Viens Poupoule, viens Poupoule, viens !
Nous ferons ripaille et bombance,
Tu verras comme l’on danse
Chez moi quand on y vient !
I have two big oxen in my stable,
Two big white oxen with reddish spots,
One is sick—alas, the devil!
So only the other one still kneels.
I’ve got good tobacco in my pocket,
A lighter and matches too,
And if my darling hen is sweet,
We’ll have a smoke, just us two!
Chorus:
Come, little hen! Come, little hen, come!
Come, little hen! Come, little hen, come!
You’ll get some bacon, bacon and noodles,
At my place, the food’s quite the treat.
Come, little hen! Come, little hen, come!
Come, little hen! Come, little hen, come!
We’ll feast and we’ll celebrate wildly,
And you’ll see how we dance
At my place when you come!
Poupoule is a playful term of endearment, like "sweetie" or literally "little hen."
The lyrics are full of rustic charm and humor, reflecting working-class rural or cabaret life.
The feast and flirtation themes made it an amusing escape for French soldiers in WWI trenches.