Les Rats d’Autun
historical Renaissance/medieval sound with the narrative style of the French chanson. The voice takes center stage, clearly telling the story of Barthélemy de Chasseneuz and the rats of Autun, while lutes, viols, or fiddles decorate the harmonies. Subtle flute or woodwind ornaments add medieval color, and a light accordion emphasizes the chorus. The harmony remains simple (C–G–Am–F), with a melodically catchy chorus. The rhythm is in 4/4 or 6/8 at a moderate tempo (around 70–90 bpm), with slight accents to evoke a historical pulse. The verses flow narratively, and the chorus stands out as a repeatable highlight. The mood is humorously quirky, subtly emphasizing the rat story, yet remains accessible and singable like a classic chanson.
Les Rats d’Autun
historical Renaissance/medieval sound with the narrative style of the French chanson. The voice takes center stage, clearly telling the story of Barthélemy de Chasseneuz and the rats of Autun, while lutes, viols, or fiddles decorate the harmonies. Subtle flute or woodwind ornaments add medieval color, and a light accordion emphasizes the chorus. The harmony remains simple (C–G–Am–F), with a melodically catchy chorus. The rhythm is in 4/4 or 6/8 at a moderate tempo (around 70–90 bpm), with slight accents to evoke a historical pulse. The verses flow narratively, and the chorus stands out as a repeatable highlight. The mood is humorously quirky, subtly emphasizing the rat story, yet remains accessible and singable like a classic chanson.
Lyrics
🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀
The English translation follows after the French song lyrics.
[Couplet 1]
Vers 1520, à Autun dans la région,
Les rats causent une grande destruction.
Les précieuses récoltes sont mangées partout,
Et la ville entière s’alarme de ce fléau fou.
[Pre-Chorus1]
Un procès se lance, les rats sont cités à comparaître,
Mais dispersés partout, comment pourraient-ils paraître ?
Chasseneuz, avocat sage et habile,
Prend leur défense avec un esprit subtil.
[Chorus]
Oh, les rats d’Autun, innocents malgré tout,
Grâce à Chasseneuz, ils échappent au courroux.
Justice étrange, mais pleine de sagesse,
Même les rats méritent leur noblesse.
[interlude instrumentale]
[Couplet 2]
Il dit : « Une seule citation ne suffit pas,
Pour avertir tous les rats qui courent ici et là. »
Alors toutes les paroisses reçoivent convocation,
Pour que tous puissent répondre à l’invitation.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Mais les rats ne viennent pas à l’audience fixée,
Chasseneuz invoque le Sauf-Conduit manqué.
Les chats sur le chemin rendent le passage dangereux,
Et c’est pourquoi les rats restent loin des lieux.
[Chorus]
Oh, les rats d’Autun, innocents malgré tout,
Grâce à Chasseneuz, ils échappent au courroux.
Justice étrange, mais pleine de sagesse,
Même les rats méritent leur noblesse.
[interlude instrumentale]
[Pont]
Le procès montre l’ingéniosité du grand avocat,
Qui défend les faibles, les opprimés et ceux qu’on n’voit pas.
Barthélemy reste célèbre dans toute la région,
Pour avoir sauvé les rats avec précision.
[Chorus]
Oh, les rats d’Autun, innocents malgré tout,
Grâce à Chasseneuz, ils échappent au courroux.
Justice étrange, mais pleine de sagesse,
Même les rats méritent leur noblesse.
[outro instrumental]
_______________________________________________________________
ENGLISH:
[Verse 1]
Around 1520, in Autun in the region,
The rats cause great destruction.
The precious crops are eaten everywhere,
And the whole town is alarmed by this mad plague.
[Pre-Chorus 1]
A trial is launched, the rats are summoned to appear,
But scattered everywhere, how could they appear?
Chasseneuz, a wise and skilful lawyer,
Takes their defence with a subtle mind.
[Chorus]
Oh, the rats of Autun, innocent despite everything,
Thanks to Chasseneuz, they escape the wrath.
Strange justice, but full of wisdom,
Even the rats deserve their nobility.
[Instrumental interlude]
[Verse 2]
He says: “A single summons is not sufficient,
To warn all the rats that run here and there.”
So all the parishes receive a summons,
So that all may respond to the invitation.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
But the rats do not come to the fixed hearing,
Chasseneuz invokes the missing safe-conduct.
The cats on the way make the passage dangerous,
And that is why the rats remain far from the place.
[Chorus]
Oh, the rats of Autun, innocent despite everything,
Thanks to Chasseneuz, they escape the wrath.
Strange justice, but full of wisdom,
Even the rats deserve their nobility.
[Instrumental interlude]
[Bridge]
The trial shows the ingenuity of the great lawyer,
Who defends the weak, the oppressed, and those one does not see.
Barthélemy remains famous throughout the region,
For having saved the rats with precision.
[Chorus]
Oh, the rats of Autun, innocent despite everything,
Thanks to Chasseneuz, they escape the wrath.
Strange justice, but full of wisdom,
Even the rats deserve their nobility.
[Outro instrumental]