In the 15th century, many popular songs sung at weddings mention the Avignon bridge. They are called "pillow songs". We find evidence of them in different regions of France, and even in Canada.
These popular songs possibly inspired Pierre Certon, composer of chapel music in the 16th century. Very well-known at the time, this songwriter, besides his comic and scandalous ditties, also wrote religious works.
He composed a mass, "Sus le Pont d'Avignon", whose melody is relatively far removed from the song we know today. The nursery rhyme, in its present form, appeared in 1853 in the operetta by Adolphe Adam created for the Comic Opera of Paris, and was entitled "l'Auberge Pleine" (The Full Inn).
International success came a few years later with another operetta, introduced in 1876, which was called at the time "Sur le Pont d'Avignon". The Avignonnais, in fact, did not dance on the bridge, its narrowness not permitting either farandoles or sarabandes.
Saint Benezet bridge, 1840, Old Avignon Museum
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing, they are dancing,
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing all around.
The handsome gentlemen go this way
And then again go that way.
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing, they are dancing,
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing all around.
The pretty dames go this way
And then again go that way.
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing, they are dancing,
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing all around.
The gardeners go this way
And then again go that way.
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing, they are dancing,
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing all around.
The dressmakers go this way
And then again go that way.
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing, they are dancing,
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing all around.
The grape growers go this way
And then again go that way.
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing, they are dancing,
On the bridge of Avignon
They are dancing all around.
The laundresses go this way
And then again go that way.
Where to sleep?
