The origin of this song is unknown, but it was one of the favorite songs of the French soldiers of the revolutionary era and later the Imperial era. Especially during the attacks on bayonets.

One of the possible origins (rather a legend) said that just before the Battle of Marengo (1800), Napoleon moved among his troops when I saw some grenadiers who rubbed something on a piece of bread, came and asked them what they were doing. They replied that they were rubbing onions in bread to eat, to which he replied:

“Well, there’s nothing better to march briskly down the path to glory»

Another version though less widespread, refers to the liking of Napoleon fried onions and ate the night before the battle of Austrelitz.

Another of the possible translations, I’ve found, change the part of “At pace” with “Charge” and both fit perfectly. Personally I prefer the translation of “At pace”, perhaps for the possible origin of the song and the response from Napoleon to his grenadiers.

The music is very catchy, the lyrics are not very difficult to learn. Our comrades of Lerma sing in the recreations and watch a column of grenadiers marching and singing the song is awesome.

Here is the instrumental version and sung by a choir:

And in this other video with the “battle” version of the song:

 

Click on the image to see the video, you have to see it directly on Youtube, because the owner does not allow playback on other websites, sorry.

Le Chant de l’Oignon                              The Song of the Onion

J’aime l’oignon frît à l’huile,                     I love onion fried with oil,
J’aime l’oignon quand il est bon,             I love the onion when it’s good,
J’aime l’oignon frît à l’huile,                     I love onion fried with oil,
J’aime l’oignon, j’aime l’oignon.               I love onion, I love onion.

(refrain)
Au pas camarade, au pas camarade,     At pace comrades, At pace comrades,
Au pas, au pas, au pas.                           At pace, at pace, at pace,
Au pas camarade, au pas camarade,    At pace comrades, at pace comrades,
Au pas, au pas, au pas.                           At pace, at pace, at pace,

Un seul oignon frît à l’huile,                    One onion fried with oil,
Un seul oignon nous change en lion,      One onion we change into a lion,
Un seul oignon frît à l’huile                     One onion fried with oil,
Un seul oignon nous change en lion.      One onion we change into a lion.

(refrain)

Mais pas d’oignons aux Autrichiens,        But no onions for the Austrians,
Non pas d’oignons à tous ces chiens,      No onions for all these dogs,
Mais pas d’oignons aux Autrichiens,        But no onions for the Austrians
Non pas d’oignons, non pas d’oignons.   No onions, no onions.

(refrain)

Aimons l’oignon frît à l’huile,                    Love the onion fried with oil,
Aimons l’oignon car il est bon,                 Love the onion because it’s good,
Aimons l’oignon frît à l’huile,                    Love the onion fried with oil,
Aimons l’oignon, aimons l’oignon             Love the onion, love the onion.

(refrain)

Greetings