Vous permettez, monsieur [English translation]

. Today it is the dance of gentlemen

. Ladies, how beautiful you are

. Don't even think about any adventure

. Adventures are a matter for fools (lit.: worth-for-nothings)

. You don't forget nice manners

. You ask daddy if he allows

. and since he mistrusts gourmets

. he passes you the muzzle

{Refrain:}

. Do you allow, Sir

. That I borrow you daughter

. And even thought he smiles at me

. me, I feel that he mistrusts me

. Do you allow, Sir?

. We promise to behave well

. like you did when you were our age

. just before marriage

. Although about one meter seperates us

. we wander along with the violins

. I have to say, between us, we have fun

. to see them adjust their monocles.

{Refrain}

. How much love in our clasping hands

. How much longing for your heart in mine

. The eye of the parents, (even) if it persists,

. doesn't infringe on the tenderness in which we bathe

{Refrain}

comme vous l'etiez a notre age

{2x}