Site Fr
Parisians grew up in apartments. Apartments are places of little entertainment for children.
No backyard, no daily companionship with the exciting phenomena of mother Nature.
All Parisian children get is the occasional companionship with the exciting phenomena of mother Paris.
Top of that list is l’orgue de Barbarie.
Every Parisian recalls that moment when, as a child, the sound of the barrel organ reaches his ear.
Is that music? From the street? Excitement fills his little Parisian heart. He runs to the window. As the music draws near, he starts seeing the source of the music. A barrel organ. On wheels.
Little Parisian then turns to his mom. Who gently gives him une pièce. When the barrel organ is right underneath the window, little Parisian gets to drop the coin.
Coin hits the sidewalk – genuine and cheerful thank you that is.
The barrel organ only comes once a year or so. Rarity of the moment makes it even more of a treat. A musical and unexpected treat.
As an adult, the Parisian hides these memories deep inside. The Parisian is not a child any more. Yet, anytime the sound of the barrel organ resonates on the streets of Paris, the Parisian can’t help but being charmed. Softly dragged back into sweet memories. Seduced by the familiar tunes. He sure does not stop for a minute to watch the organ player play. Being touched is one thing. Showing it another.To extract the music, the organ player spins the crank – over and over again, almost mechanically. Hypnotic vision of time flying by. The Parisian has little taste for watching the damage of time. So he shall keep walking. No coin any more.
Useful tip: Impress your Parisian friends by knowing the just like amour, and délice, the word orgue is masculin au singulier et féminin au pluriel.
Sound like a Parisian walking by: “…”
Tags: childhood, entertainment, memories, music, orgues de barbarie, Paris, street
RSS feed
Aren’t these three words (amour, delice, orgue) technically feminine but take a masculine form in the singular case for things like adjectives because it “sounds” better? I’m not ENTIRELY sure, I’m just basing this on the Spanish “agua”, but I think it’s the same principle.
Yes they are !
Makes me think of the musicians in the street – often excellent ones just enjoying practicing and sharing – at Le Louvre or in the Metro.
People sometimes stop… rarely pay for the moment spent.
But to go back to “le parisien” : he has money to make, and moreover now, he has to be coherent with the legend some obscure wine lover french blogger created around him
))
Merci pour ‘Useful tip’..
Loving your blog — you are really getting me in the mood to see Paris! We’ll be there on the 21st …
Alright Olivier,
Happened to stumble across your photo in the Time Out guide, which led me to your site. I tell you, having learned English from Public Enemy, you write awfully well, most impressive. Anyway, we met about 6 monthe ago in a horrible South African bar, you were with a guy from Le Coq Sportif, further details evade me. Was thinking if you fancied a beer at some point, let me know. Simon
Post script-am fully aware that sounded slightly bent (gay, some Scottish argot for you) but I’m almost completely certain that I’m not thusly inclined.
That’s rather endearing, the Parisian’s inner child, kind of like a macaron…Now when next I see a gruff Parisian face with the crinkle between the eyes, I’ll think of this…
S… I’ll get into my Grévisse and get back to you on this one.
Stéphan… S, well, there you have your response now! Stéphan, your point reminds me of this story, which makes for a good read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html – I never thought I’d be called one day an ‘obscure wine lover french blogger’. Crap – I need a life coach!!
JB… Bon à savoir…
Donna… Hopefully by then, it’ll have stopped raining!! Let me know if you come to a Wine Tasting with O Chateau!
Simon… Well, I appreciate these kind words, as well as your stressing my utter ghettoness. Now, making me sound completely gay on my own blog is a pretty cool thing… I must admit. You learning from Max?! Anyway, drinks we’ll do. More by email. And good luck with the Final Four!
Cheryl… Just learnt two new words thanks to you – merci!
Ahhhh yes!! I saw one of these for the first time in a tiny village in Civray…. so wonderful! And I stayed and listened to Edith Piaf….
Parisian children are so wide-eyed and vivacious. One little guy regailed me about the Superman outfit he was wearing, and how he intended to fly. Luckily Papa was right there to catch him if he tried. But I never saw any barrel organs. Reason enough to get back to Paris pronto.
But I always think, when I’m there–the children of Paris are so wonderful and pure. So, what happens when they grow up? Life becomes serious, precise. Except for you, cher Olivier, your sense of joie de vivre is obviously still going strong.
PVK… Edith Piaf was singing on the streets of Civray?!
Ruth Yunker… Not sure it’s a Parisian thing. Funny how most children are so smart and most adults so stupid… probably has to do with the education!! In the case of Paris, I’d say most Parisian families set an education frame where academic and professional success is key. For too many people, seriousness moves from being a forced state of mind to a permanent one. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… as per me – I’m cheating: I have wine with me…
It’s the little things that define a culture, it starts with the kids, you’re so right!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.htm
Olivier,
thanks for the link. I knew the story and thought about it when writing.
FOr the “wine lover…” sorry I made you realize that
Paris Apartment…
Stéphan…
(I do hate smileys… but sometimes, they’re all I can come up with… so much for a witty blog. For refunds, please contact screwyouandyoursmileys@o-chateau.com)
I detect a note of honest sentimentality in this one, Olivier. Vous avez versé une larme, peut-être, en écrivant cette piece?
Barbra… Very dry eyes.
Loving your blog — you are really getting me in the mood to see Paris! We’ll be there on the 21st
hm,S,they are called neutral nouns and they derive from the latin side of the language-u will meet them in al latin languages. They have a diferent gender in singular and plural, something a bit strange to english language , where u do not speak about the ” gender”of a noun…