Le Vieux Chalet is a Swiss folk song, written in 1911 by the abbot Joseph Bovet (1879–1951).
It has been translated into sixteen languages, among them Chinese and Japanese.[1]
According to Patrice Borcard, a historian and biographer of Bovet, the song has been sung by both the French Résistance and the pro-German Collaboration because of its symbolic lyrics.[2]
Là-haut sur la montagne, croula le vieux chalet.La neige et les rochersS'étaient unis pour l'arracherLà-haut sur la montagne, croula le vieux chalet.
Là-haut sur la montagne, quand Jean vint au chalet,Pleura de tout son cœurSur les débris de son bonheur.Là-haut sur la montagne, quand Jean vint au chalet.
Là-haut sur la montagne, l'est un nouveau chalet,Car Jean d'un cœur vaillantL'a rebâti plus beau qu'avant.Là-haut sur la montagne, l'est un nouveau chalet.
High up there on the mountain, collapsed an old chalet.The snow and the rocks,United to tear it down.High up there on the mountain, collapsed an old chalet.
High up there on the mountain, when Jean went to the chalet.He cried with all his heart,on the debris of his fortune.High up there on the mountain, when Jean went to the chalet.
High up there on the mountain, there is a new chalet.Because Jean, with a valiant heart,rebuilt it more beautiful than before.High up there on the mountain, there is a new chalet.