I Dreamed a Dream (French) J'avais rêvé

I made this video for my French classes. I like them to have the English subtitles of the French song. The English version of "I dreamed a dream" is not an exact translation, as poetry and songs never are. The translation is mine and any mistakes are mine. Images are gathered from various internet sources.
For those who are interested, the recording is from the Théâtre Mogador showing, presented the first time on October 12, 1991. It is not the original concept album.

[@justinetlee]

I like the french version better because the lyrics give me a deeper understanding of the characters feelings. There it is. Its that simple.

[@francescaviceconti3770]

that's the ORIGINAL in Francais please; the English one is the version

[@oleander7635]

Francesca Viceconti Huh? The English one is the original. Just because French is the native language doesn’t mean it’s the original one.

[@francescaviceconti3770]

OMG there's an English version that's different from the original French one; Victor Hugo wrote that book dans langue francaise...

[@oleander7635]

@@francescaviceconti3770 Yes, I know the book is obviously originally French, but I thought the musical was originally English because the English is more well-known (and several of the songs are purely original to the English production) but I just looked it up and you're correct, it was originally a French musical! I stand corrected. I'm more educated on the book than the musical lol.

[@leflochpatrice1690]

@@oleander7635 The original is french directed by Robert Hossein in 1980 and adapted in english by Cameron Mackintosh in 1985

[@jordonmorrisartworks8322]

The French version of this song made me love this song and musical even more. I absolutely love the French language :)

[@hermes3386]

Thanks ! French has been designed to be well-balanced, between Italian and German for its pronunciation as well as its accuracy. It seems the result is quite satisfactory, but in the end too hard too be learnt for an everyday use on an international large scale. That's why english is now the international language (yet French is still alive in diplomacy and cultural fields) as it is less complicated and more easy to be sufficently mastered. It has its "more" and "less" too...

[@augustin5611]

What the heck man ? "Designed to be well balanced between italian and german", please, what are you even saying ?

[@jpc7118]

@@augustin5611 il a raison, les Francs étaient des germaniques qui ont grandement influencés les gallo-romains. Notre façon de prononcer les sons r de façon guttural est plus germanique que latine ! c'est comme les Néerlandais, on a tendance à trouver qu'ils parlent anglais avec un accent germanique, ou allemand avec un accent anglais ! ;)

[@foxanol]

​@@jpc7118 En général j'aime bien dire que l'anglais est une langue germanique fortement influencée par les langues romanes et que le français est une langue latine fortement influencée par les langues germaniques.

[@lawrence18uk]

1991 Lyrics: Doux Seigneur, Que vous ai-je fait, Pour que plus je tombe, Et plus vous me laissiez tomber? J'avais rêvé d'un coeur si grand, Que le mien y trouve place Pour un bonheur à partager. Doux Seigneur, Que vous ai-je fait? J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie Quand ma vie passait comme un rêve. J'étais prête À toutes les folies, À toutes les passions qui se lèvent. J'étais si jeune, où est le mal? Je voulais rire, aimer et vivre, Danser jusqu'à la fin du bal, Ivre du bonheur d'être libre. Mais les loups rôdent dans la nuit; Et l'un d'eux flairait ma trace. Moi, j'ai comblé l'appétit Du premier voleur qui passe. Il a accoutumé ma vie À la chaleur de sa présence. Et puis un jour il est parti En m'ayant volé mon enfance. Parfois je rêve de lui encore: Il me supplie et il regrette. Mais le rêve s'éteint à l'aurore, Comme les lampions d'un soir de fête. J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie. À peine commencée elle s'achève. J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie, Mais la vie a tué Mes rêves.

[@mariamsabry9575]

That was very helping, thank you!

[@paulmartel2092]

Dans la version a Montréal les paroles était différente

[@mikeor-]

Translation: Dear Lord, what did I do to You? Why did I fall? And You let me fall further? I had a dream of a heart so big, Where mine would find its place, To share happiness. Dear Lord, what did I do to You? I dreamed a dream of another life, When my life passed by like a dream, I was prepared for all the antics, For all the passions that would arise. Then I was young, where was the harm? I dreamed to laugh, to love, to live. To dance until the end of the ball. Too intoxicated with happiness to be free. But the wolves came in the night, And one of them found my trail. I satisfied their appetite, And gave myself to the first thief that passed, He grew accustomed to my life. I grew accustomed to his presence, And then, one day, he disappeared, And stole my childhood away too. Sometimes I still dream of him, That he regrets and begs forgiveness, But this dream fades away at dawn, Just as the lamps do after a party. I had a dream of another life, That would begin as mine is ending, So different now from what it seemed. But life has killed the dream I dreamed.

[@julianned2187]

thank you, very helpful

[@WingsOfASong]

Wow. These lyrics are much more powerful in French. D: Poor Fantine.

[@n3mn64]

this is the most accurate voice type and emotion for a fantine role... you can hear the hardships and happines in the character's life... merci beaucoup

[@bruceburns405]

The translation was not that bad! You missed the implication of "plus" in the introduction, that she believed God would "never" let her fall. Otherwise, solid job, and glad to have it online to share. The French lyrics have way more references to the Christian faith that exists in the novel, and more depth overall, as is true pretty much throughout the French concept album's lyrics vs. the English. Good!

[@ArtistGirlM]

For those of you that are wondering, the name of this singer/actress is Louise Pitre. Cette chanteur/actrice s'appele Louise Pitre.

[@kristijaas4711]

Louise Pitre: a great talent and a wonderful person with whom to work. A real pro who isalso great fun!

[@samuellowery9867]

These lyrics are so beautiful and so wonderful. I nearly cried.

[@evanholland3678]

I did cry

[@daniels8468]

Énorme! Il est beaucoup mieux en français! It's a Frenchest of all French drama, it can only unfold it's full range when performed in French.

[@Wotanraven]

I'm French but it's the first time I hear this song in French (the musical was much more successful in the UK and US for some reason...), and wow, I didn't think it would be that good. The singer is great and the lyrics are surprisingly good. Thanks for the upload. You made a good translation btw.

[@27lavender]

Nakakaiyak ang lyrics ng song na'to 😥😥😥ganda ng meaning saka saktong sakto sa music ang kanta pati boses, Goosebumps 👍👍

[@AuroraDeLirio]

this version gave me chills and made me cry...beautiful intepretation...awesome translation, it is very strong and it captures Fantine very well

[@lhsmadameb]

Vous me donnez envie de le relire. Quelle poésie dans l'écriture de Victor Hugo! Merci de l'avoir partagé.

[@foreverphantomsgirl]

So incredibly in love with this musical, specifically this song....I have never heard it done so well...and the French lyrics have so much more meaning. Thank you for posting this....I'm power listening and loving every minute.

[@Aramis419]

As the Latin phrase goes, "traduttore, traditore". That being said, thanks for the literal translation. I should have done this in my college French class. Alas, KZbin wasn't quite so extensive back then.

[@hermes3386]

In French: "traduire, c'est trahir" ("translating, is betraying").

[@lawrence18uk]

I don't know the full story of this song, but it started as a French song (closer to the Hugo original??) in1980 - it was then reworked as an English song, with different ideas, forming the West End show we all know. This song which was then retranslated back into French which is sung here. And you have now translated in back into English again, as far as I understand!

[@StephenFarrow]

sudsLA - these lyrics aren't from the 1980 French show. This is the version of the show that played in French in Montreal and Paris in the early 1990s. Elizabeth111Music - the singer is Louise Pitre.

[@giselemassi2631]

At 2:12 it's: "me, I satisfied the appetite of the first thief passing by".

[@mauroluisthobias1588]

JE VIENS DE CONNAITRE CETTE VERSION FRANÇAISE. JE L'AI TROUVÉE FORMIDABLE. JE SUIS UN BRÉSILIEN FOU DE CES MERVEILES DE FRANCE, HUGO ET LES MIZ.

[@paulmartel2092]

mauro luis Thobias la chanteuse de cette version française est Canadienne Louise Pitre a chanté dans les Misérable a Montréal avant celle de Paris

[@EGANIM]

Je crois que c'est la plus belle version que j'ai écouté pour le moment malgré que celle de Susan Boyle soit prenante..

[@emmanordmeyer4668]

Beautiful song. I don't understand French, but I really like this translation. It really captures Fantine better. It's quite a shame we don't have a better English version.

[@amyrakoff5839]

The English version is still exceptionally good in my opinion. The lyrics had to suite the music differently for an English audience

[@cassieosbourne7666]

Wow! Those lyrics are so much more heartbreaking

[@anoisanseo]

thank you, this is beautiful, as a teacher i got the glee reference, gotta catch their attention, thanks again for sharing this beautiful version, as it was written in french by the composer and reworked for the english version

[@guillaumemigner876]

I'll admit that song hits too close to home, a mom who sacrificed everything for her child, like my mom.

[@amyrakoff5839]

The lyrics are more powerful in French because that's how it was originally. The translation is really good but there are differences. My mothers first language is french and she heard the English and then experienced the french. The difference us that the french one is a lot harder and the lyrics mire devastatingly sad which is why I'm so glad that they put the word for word lyrics for the french as it makes the characters plee more desperate . The English is still a second to best translation. 👌

[@Auraldyne]

Doux seigneur, que vous ai-je fait ? Pour que plus je tombe et plus vous me laissiez tomber J'avais rêvé d'un cœur si grand que le mien y trouve place Pour un bonheur à partager Doux seigneur, que vous ai-je fait ? J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie Quand ma vie passait comme un rêve J’étais prête à toutes les folies À toutes les passions qui se lèvent J’étais si jeune où est le mal ? Je voulais rire, aimer et vivre Danser jusqu’à la fin du bal Ivre du bonheur d’être libre

[@lhsmadameb]

@houda faraji Je suis tout à fait d'accord! On ne peut pas remplacer la beauté des sonorités de la langue française. Tout est plus beau en français, à mon avis!

[@dmaqque]

I love the movie. The music is beautiful too.

[@jamikzvonbalatch9114]

Wow. Just the voice alone is already as impactful as anne hathaway's version!

[@jiroglay2142]

quelle merveilleuse version originale!

[@chatocool]

Formidable! Much better the content, the lyrics... than in any other version! Chapeau!

[@onogrirwin]

Shockingly good!

[@Hmmmmmmmmm....]

God these lyrics just breaks my heart, i love this even more

[@autumnlheureux4231]

I have the French concept album, I to like it better in its original voice. Now that there’s been the American movie of it, does France plan at all to do it in French? That’d be sweet. Makes me meditate on when my ancestors spoke French. Last family members to do so, my gg grandparents. Metis and Québécois fur trader. I did take it in school. Along with Spanish. People often ask me if I just came over! Due to our French Canadian spelling. I’m like nope!

[@berenicemirandagarcia6612]

J'adore Cette version C'est magnifique !!

[@lumierevr7473]

j'avais reve d'une autre vie, c'est chanson tres bien

[@deltorofernando]

Beautiful!!!

[@sadem1045]

It's a dream of mine to see Le Miserables performed in French despite the fact that I don't know the language. I've never understood how all those English people wound up in France.

[@ilovememes2026]

this song feels like an hour every time i listen to it

[@lhsmadameb]

Thank you for the comments. I would love to do the same type of video for all the songs...just need more time. I saw the 25th anniversary production a few months ago and was enchanted all over again. I highly recommend it.

[@antoniogallegomenendez8323]

Marvelouse

[@mdub2000]

my god this is beautifull...i never heard the original version...its amazing thanks for posting:)

[@clemcamby]

c'est MA-GNI-FI-QUE! j'en chiale presque

[@bingo1232]

God don't do nothing to us...… except (!)… to keep loving us..... LOVING US. (THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[@mareenalewis4241]

❤

[@petesmt]

Fantastique

[@Faye0959]

Merci pour votre beau travail avec les soustitres. J'utilise votre version pour ma classe de FLE.

[@seascape35]

Ihsmadameb, very nice job. Merci.

[@wwl7461]

Beautiful! Thank you for posting!

[@mikeor-]

The last line of both English and French versions are the same: But life has killed the dream I dreamed.

[@alvaroespejo1568]

lyrics are so touching

[@deltorofernando]

Thank you for the information.

[@cherry3911]

2022

[@aplaceformahvideos]

Wow. That was amazing.

[@mrkjzn]

Katchery Goblin brought me here when she auditioned in French Got Talent., singing I dreamed a dream in french

[@gregoryyorgey9142]

Les Misérables en Français est tellement beau. Je l’apprécie en Français mieux que l’anglais.

[@KatThePuppyGirl]

That's a really good point....I like the way you think. :)

[@DNAleguillou]

Brilliant! I love it! 💗

[@lhsmadameb]

I agree wholeheartedly!

[@lhsmadameb]

I was told it is Louise Pitre.

[@teddy7681]

Beautiful version! The translation is almost perfect, except : At 0:22 she actually says "so that the more i fall, the more you would let me fall / let me down" and at 2:12 "I satisfied the apetite of the first thief that went by" (not her own apetite) Otherwise great job! Thanks for the video! :-)

[@Auraldyne]

Mais les loups rôdent dans la nuit Et l’un d’eux flairait ma trace Moi j’ai comblé l’appétit Du premier voleur qui passe Il a accoutumé ma vie À la chaleur de sa présence Et puis un jour il est parti En ayant volé mon enfance Parfois je rêve de lui encore Il me supplie et il regrette Mais le rêve s’éteint à l’aurore Comme les lampions d’un soir de fête J’avais rêvé d’une autre vie À peine commencé elle s’achève J’avais rêvé d’une autre vie Mais la vie a tué mes rêves

[@veroniquecantin6192]

Everything is better in french

[@mauroluisthobias1588]

ATTENTION, VÉRONIQUE. NE SOYEZ PAS CHAUVIN!

[@jlewisda]

Even English is better in French.

[@mstrainjr]

+veronique cantin Even a kiss ;-)

[@blackandbluemadness7965]

Sarah Hamiltrash I mean I can't do the French accent in guns and ships and Im French so...

[@norastorgarlensiu1979]

Lovely girls are better in french.

[@haroldgifford852]

🇨🇵🇧🇪⚜

[@MrZebraTree]

This is great for studying for French tests.

[@LOLO2272]

jolie video , jolie chanson

[@jeanmichelp4304]

je raffole de cette voix

[@Reneza66]

Wow you are one awesome French teacher!

[@lhsmadameb]

Wow! Merci! I wish I made time to make more videos.

[@LupitaJaled3]

I dreamed a dream/Lupita Jaled The circumstances do not matter, it does not matter where you are, the important thing is to dream and so I dreamed that I dreamed just as it is beautiful to dream, it is fantastic to live and be happy, kisses and hugs from your friend Lupita Jaled kzbin.info kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5aQoXuvbqtllcU No importan las circunstancias , no importa en donde estes lo importante es soñar y asi soñe que soñaba asi como es hermoso soñar es fantastico vivir y ser feliz, besos y abrazos de su amiga Lupita Jaled kzbin.info

[@duhthl]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!

[@zoeyk1455]

Very nice!

[@lhsmadameb]

Thank you...I didn't know the singer. I appreciate your comments!

[@CinnastixChick]

J'aime cette version beaucoup mieux!

[@popoH91]

yes, there is a CD ;)

[@zuzulka97]

J'aime ça! :)

[@lhsmadameb]

I believe it is according to Stephen Farrow (see comments).

[@leedscab123]

It sounds so much better sung in French.

[@wanderinglizzy]

Thanks :]

[@lhsmadameb]

@mdub2000 My pleasure!

[@paulmartel2092]

La chanteuse de cette version française est canadienne Louise Pitre elle a fait les Miz a Montréal avant celle de Paris

[@loulouchris1085]

Elle est pas canadienne elle est Québécoise .merci au revoir

[@lhsmadameb]

Hah! Just because there is an image from Glee in the video doesn't mean I watch it, but my students do. It makes a connection with them.

[@lhsmadameb]

Nice suggestion. I'd change it, but it would require changing my original, and re-uploading...too many other things to do. :)

[@lhsmadameb]

No, they are from the show in 1991. They lyrics are based off of the English lyrics.

[@camm56640]

500 000 spectators in 107 representations in France that's a success

[@EunjiSwanSong]

I love it ! and I want to know the lyrics.. Can I get a french lyrics of it?

[@harshmnr]

I was surprised that the lyrics were that different...but I guess it gets the same meaning across. ~:~

[@potaytophile]

I feel that quite a lot of the sentiments are lost in the translation to English. Like the part when she sang about the wolves, and that one of them caught their scent. Only when listening to this did I realised the wolf referred to that guy. Okay maybe I'm just slow, but when listening to the English version I always though the tigers always just refer to general hardships in life. The french version to me emphasized more on the lost of innocence.

[@pkmoiflo]

C'est vrai que les paroles ne sont pas si bien traduites dans la version anglaise, mais je suis une grande fan de la version qu'Anne Hathaway en a faite alors, mon coeur va à la version anglaise :)

[@leknu146]

Il faut que les Rosbifs arrétent de nous piquer nos oeuvres littéraires patrimoniales pour les dénaturer sauce Broadway taps . Le fantôme de l'Opéra par exemple, ou Madame Butterfly et la Dame au Camélias. Sans oublier bien sûr leur hymne national du God Save the King copié note pour note sur un de nos cantiques français.

[@Wotanraven]

Where did you understand that I was implying it wasn't a success in France, when all I said was that it was "much more successful" in anglo-saxon countries?

[@shuttergirlUK]

The lyric is wrong when it says "I filled my appetite"... NO. 😡 The lyric is talking about the appetite of the wolf that is tracking her scent...

[@tmarkable]

I prefer "Sweet Lord " as written as to Dear Lord. I think it better captures the 19th century french.

[@GeneralSelf]

I like this version very much. May I ask: Is it possible to buy a CD or DVD of this version Les Miserables? Thank you.

[@EnricaMao]

This one is good also in french, probably better than english...do you hear the people sing is very very better in english instead especially for the words...but is only my opinion...

[@lhsmadameb]

@meowool LOL!

[@MrZebraTree]

nice, but a piece of my heart broke off when I saw the Glee cover.

[@meowool]

Mércie Victor Hugo. It'd be amazing if this was translated into Guernésiais....but nobody'd understand it, oim suposin...

[@legercamomille9139]

je suis française je prefere la version anglaise largement

[@edberge]

You might as well translate "folies" as "follys", since it has pretty much the same sense in English.

[@jamesswindley9599]

The French version seems a LOT more religious than the English version? No? 😳

[@ep6927]

The first part of the song maybe. She is actually praying. But after that she sings about stolen childhood, innocence, a dream of an other life. Nothing religious

[@PRINCESAXSAKURA]

Whats the girl´s name?