Le Carillon de Vendôme

La Carillon de Vendôme, also known as Les Cloches de Vendôme or Orléans, is a French children's song dating from the 15th century. It takes its name from the bells (cloches) of the town of Vendôme. It is the oldest known French song.

Le Carillon de Vendôme was written in the Kingdom of France to describe the last possessions of the Dauphin Charles in 1420. After the signing of the Treaty of Troyes during the Hundred Years' War, the Dauphin was left in possession of the cities of Orléans, Beaugency, Cléry, Vendôme, and Bourges.

The song describes this state of affairs.

Lyrics

Mes amis, que reste-t-il ? À ce Dauphin si gentil ? Orléans, Beaugency, Notre-Dame de Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme ! Les ennemis ont tout pris Ne lui laissant par mépris Qu'Orléans, Beaugency, Notre-Dame de Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme !

My friends, what is left, to the Dauphin, so kind? Orléans, Beaugency, Notre-Dame de Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme! The enemies have taken everything Leaving him nothing by contempt But Orléans, Beaugency, Notre-Dame de Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme!