When I was a young Nouveau
Dans L ’Ecole des Beaux Arts
Life was a sweet Gateau
Champagne and caviar.
We worked at the atelier
Close by our patron’s knee
Spent many a happy day
With l’architecture de Paree
We’d poché, poché, poché,
And we’d sing “Le Pompier”
We’ d charette, charette, charette,
And we’d sing of Alouette
And then I fell all in love,
Fell all in love with three
Giselle and sweet Jeanne Marie
And l’architecture de Paree!

We’d stroll along the Siene,
Giselle, Marie, and me
See our Lady, Notre Dame,
The glory of Paree
We’ d watch at end of day
From the cafe Deaux Maggots
Lovely Saint Germain de Pres
In the rosy afterglow -
With the years two loves have gone
Giselle and Jeanne Marie
But I sing my chanson
Of my beloved Paree -

Now I am an old Ancien
Far from my patron’s knee
Plagued by affairs of men,
But it all comes back to me
I poché, poché, poché,
And I sing “Le Pompier”
I charette, charette, charette
And I sing of Alouette
And I am still all in love
Still all in love with three
Giselle and sweet Jeanne Marie
And l’architecture de Paree!