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Le Roi Louis

French song of the Crusades

"Le Roi Louis" - "King Louis" - is a song praising the bravery and determination of King St. Louis IX of France as he prepares to lead the 7th Crusade. King Louis summons his wavering barons. As each noble presents his objection, the wise King turns their excuses on their heads. Then, followed by his faithful men, St. Louis departs for distant Egypt.

Le Roi Louis is sung by Chœur de la Joyeuse Garde, a French group of soldiers and scouts dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of historic songs.



Listen to Le Roi Louis


Lyrics:

Le Roy Louis a convoqué,
Tous ses barons et chevaliers.
Le Roy Louis a demandé,
"Qui veut me suivre où que j'irai?"

Les plus ardents se sont dressés,
Ont juré Foi, Fidélité.
Les plus prudents ont deviné,
Où le Roy voulait les mener.

Ainsi parla le Duc de Baume,
"Je combattrai pour le royaume."
Le Roy lui dit "c'est point assez:
Nous défendrons la Chrétienté."

Ainsi parla Seigneur d'Estienne:
"Je défends la terre chrétienne,
Mais je ne veux pas m'en aller
Semer la mort dessus la mer."

"Ah", dit le Roy, "notre domaine,
S'étend sur la rive africaine,
Jusqu'au désert le plus avant.
C'est notre fief, et prix du sang."

S'en est allé le Roy Louis.
Les plus fidèles l'ont suivi.
S'en sont allés bien loin, bien loin,
Pour conquérir le fief divin.



English translation:

King Louis has convoked,
All the barons and knights.
King Louis asked,
"Who wants to follow me wherever I will go?"

The most ardent have prepared themselves,
Have sworn faith, fidelity.
The more cautious have guessed,
Where the King wanted to lead them.

Thus spoke the Duke of Baume,
"I will fight for the kingdom."
The King said to him, "It's not enough:
We will defend Christendom."

Thus spoke the Lord of Estienne:
"I defend the land of Christendom,
But I do not want to go,
To sow death beyond the sea."

"Ah" said the King, "Our domain,
Extends to the African shores,
Until the furthest deserts.
It's our fief, and the price of blood."

So, King Louis went away.
The most faithful have followed him.
They have gone far away, far away,
To conquer the divine fief.
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