Le gibier manque et les femmes sont rares [English translation]

When after the hunt in the middle of a warm inn

You find yourself at the table with girls who are a bit red-headed

After the white wine, the foie gras, the pheasant hen

After the coffee, the coffee shoot, the herbal tea shoot

When the maids sit on our bellies

We sing this not very distinguished refrain to be joyful:

"Game is scarce and women are rare"

The eighty hunters sing along

Except for the youngest who go immediately under the table

And the older ones who sing while raising their glasses of liquor.

Fortunately there are still brass bands,

Wine to drink and hearty girls

Without that we would often be left empty-handed but lordly

With our guns and our hearts.

When after the wedding of a brother or a sister

We meet at the table at the "Happy Margarine".

When the red meat has swollen our veins with sap,

throwing pagan impulses into our Christian thoughts

At the moment when our wives dew and swoon

We sing to be joyful this not very distinguished refrain:

"Game is scarce and women are rare"

The eighty hunters sing along,

Except for the youngest who go immediately under the table

And the older ones who sing while raising their glasses of liquor.

Fortunately there are still brass bands,

Wine to drink and hearty girls

Without that we' d often be left empty-handed but lordly

With our guns and our hearts.

"Game is scarce and women are rare"

The eighty hunters sing along

Except for the youngest who go immediately under the table

And the older ones who sing while raising their glasses of liquor.

Fortunately there are still brass bands,

Wine to drink and hearty girls.

Without that we would often be left empty-handed but lordly

With our guns and our hearts.