Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji. This is a French traditional choral chant often touted, incorrectly, as a Crusader chant of the Middle-Ages, something rather obviously untrue given the modern compositional form of the music, as well as the even more obvious fact that the lyrics are in Modern French completely unlike the Old French of the actual songs of the Crusader era, which I've also covered.
Instead, this seems to be a chant from the 1900's, harkening to the era of the restorations of the French monarchy following the French Revolution. The chant exemplifies the extreme opposite of the values of the secular, anti-classism Revolution, instead being steeped deep in Catholic religious imagery, themes of crusade and holy war, and praising the nobility and importance of royal dynasties, referring to them as "holy families." In this, the song reveals a fascinating window into a traditionalis, deeply religious and monarchist worldview found within French history, things that are often intertwined in France, where deeply Catholic tendencies have historically overlapped with monarchist stances. This is a reality that is fascinating to contrast with songs such as La Guillotine Permanente, which I've covered previously and am currently reworking, that express the opposite end of this political-social spectrum.
I arranged this song within the tradition of French choral music, a centuries old tradition of polyphonic choir settings performed in concert halls, primarily within academic and official settings. This tradition is characterised by large choirs, usage of Classical orchestral instruments such as the harp and orchestral drums, and polyphonic voices harmonising together.
Lyrics in French:
Sellez et bridez donc belles monturesVrais chevaliers tombez toute parureArmez-vous, drapez-vous de votre foiFrères chrétiens le Seigneur vous envoie
Nos enfants exaltent de joieFront de l’amour et chantant sans peurDe nos âmes ils vont défendreLa Jérusalem de leur cœur
Les remparts d’une sainte familleFoyer, chaleur qui point ne vacillentLes fortes enceintes des dynastiesOffrant tutelle à tous ses amis
La fleur fade est de courtoisieLa fleur de France s’est remiseRoi Saint Louis, à l’ombre du chêneBrille pour cette terre promise
Translation:
Saddle and bridle your noble mounts, then
True horsemen, cast aside all finery
Arm yourselves, cloak yourselves in your faith
Christian brothers, the Lord sends you forth
Our children exalt with joy
Bearing love and singing without fear
They will defend with their souls
The Jerusalem of their hearts
The ramparts of a holy family
A hearth, a warmth that does not falter
The strong walls of dynasties
Offering protection to all their friends
The faded flower is that of courtesy
The flower of France has risen again
King Saint Louis, beneath the shade of the oak
Shines for this promised land
Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji. This is a French traditional choral chant often touted, incorrectly, as a Crusader chant of the Middle-Ages, something rather obviously untrue given the modern compositional form of the music, as well as the even more obvious fact that the lyrics are in Modern French completely unlike the Old French of the actual songs of the Crusader era, which I've also covered.
Instead, this seems to be a chant from the 1900's, harkening to the era of the restorations of the French monarchy following the French Revolution. The chant exemplifies the extreme opposite of the values of the secular, anti-classism Revolution, instead being steeped deep in Catholic religious imagery, themes of crusade and holy war, and praising the nobility and importance of royal dynasties, referring to them as "holy families." In this, the song reveals a fascinating window into a traditionalis, deeply religious and monarchist worldview found within French history, things that are often intertwined in France, where deeply Catholic tendencies have historically overlapped with monarchist stances. This is a reality that is fascinating to contrast with songs such as La Guillotine Permanente, which I've covered previously and am currently reworking, that express the opposite end of this political-social spectrum.
I arranged this song within the tradition of French choral music, a centuries old tradition of polyphonic choir settings performed in concert halls, primarily within academic and official settings. This tradition is characterised by large choirs, usage of Classical orchestral instruments such as the harp and orchestral drums, and polyphonic voices harmonising together.
Lyrics in French:
Sellez et bridez donc belles monturesVrais chevaliers tombez toute parureArmez-vous, drapez-vous de votre foiFrères chrétiens le Seigneur vous envoie
Nos enfants exaltent de joieFront de l’amour et chantant sans peurDe nos âmes ils vont défendreLa Jérusalem de leur cœur
Les remparts d’une sainte familleFoyer, chaleur qui point ne vacillentLes fortes enceintes des dynastiesOffrant tutelle à tous ses amis
La fleur fade est de courtoisieLa fleur de France s’est remiseRoi Saint Louis, à l’ombre du chêneBrille pour cette terre promise
Translation:
Saddle and bridle your noble mounts, then
True horsemen, cast aside all finery
Arm yourselves, cloak yourselves in your faith
Christian brothers, the Lord sends you forth
Our children exalt with joy
Bearing love and singing without fear
They will defend with their souls
The Jerusalem of their hearts
The ramparts of a holy family
A hearth, a warmth that does not falter
The strong walls of dynasties
Offering protection to all their friends
The faded flower is that of courtesy
The flower of France has risen again
King Saint Louis, beneath the shade of the oak
Shines for this promised land
