Jol pont de Mirabèl
There are many versions of this song. It's been mentioned as a work song (harvest reaper). The theme of the drowned suitor is a common theme in traditional folk ballads.
Jol pont de Mirabèl
Under Mirabel Bridge
Ballad
Ballad
(Occitan)
(English)
Jol pont de Mirabèl, Catarina lavava,
Jol pont de Mirabèl, Catarina lavava.
Venguèron a passar tres cavalièrs d'armada,
Venguèron a passar tres cavalièrs d'armada.
Lo primièr li diguèt : "Ne sètz pas maridada ?"
Lo primièr li diguèt : "Ne sètz pas maridada ?"
Lo segond li donèt una polida baga,
Lo segond li donèt una polida baga.
Mas la baga del det tombèt al fons de l'aiga,
Mas la baga del det tombèt al fons de l'aiga.
Lo tresen i sautèt, faguèt la cabussada,
Lo tresen i sautèt, faguèt la cabussada.
Mes tornèt pas montar, ne trobèt pas la baga,
Mes tornèt pas montar, ne trobèt pas la baga.
Jol pont de Mirabel Catarina plorava,
Jol pont de Mirabel Catarina plorava.
Under Mirabel bridge, Catherine was laundering,
Under Mirabel bridge, Catherine was laundering.
Three army horsemen happened to pass by,
Three army horsemen happened to pass by.
The first one said to her, "Aren't you married?"
The first one said to her, "Aren't you married?"
The second one gave her a pretty ring,
The second one gave her a pretty ring.
But the ring, from her finger, fell to the bottom of the water,
But the ring, from her finger, fell to the bottom of the water.
The third one jumped in, he dove,
The third one jumped in, he dove.
But he didn't come back up, he didn't find the ring.
But he didn't come back up, he didn't find the ring.
Under Mirabel bridge, Catherine was crying,
Under Mirabel bridge, Catherine was crying
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Monique Palomares.
