Lyrics of Belleville - Ménilmontant - Aristide Bruant

Belleville - Ménilmontant (original)

On étal' son culbutant
Minc' des g'noux et larg' des pattes,
A Ménilmontant.
C'est comm' ça qu' c'est l' vrai moyen
D'dev'nir un bon citoyen :
On grandit, sans s' fair' de bile,
A Bell'ville;
On cri' :
Viv' l'Indépendance !
On a l' cœur bath et content,
Et l'on nag', dans l'abondance,
A Ménilmontant.

(translation)

We spread out our tumbling
Thin knees and wide legs,
In Menilmontant.
That's how it's the real way
To become a good citizen:
We grow up, without worrying,
In Bell'ville;
We shout:
Long live Independence!
We have a deep and happy heart,
And we swim, in abundance,
In Menilmontant.