Tonio, a Tyrolese peasant in love with Marie, sings this song in order to join the military and to be with Marie
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Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!
Ah, my friends, what a day for celebrating!

Je vais marcher sous vos drapeaux.
I shall march under your flags.

L'amour qui m'a tourné la tête
Love, which has turned my head,

Désormais, désormais, me rend un héros.
from now on is making me into a hero.

Ah! quel bonheur oui mes amis
Ah, what happiness, yes my friends

Je vais marcher sous vos drapeaux.
I shall march under your flags.

Oui, celle pour qui je respire,
Yes, she for whom I live and breathe

A mes voeux a daigné sourire
has deigned to smile upon my vows.

Et ce doux espoir de bonheur
And this sweet hope of happiness

Trouble ma raison et mon coeur!
has shaken my mind and my heart.

Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!
Ah, my friends, what a day for celebrating!

Je vais marcher sous vos drapeaux.
I shall march under your flags.

Pour mon âme (for my soul)
Quel destin! (what a destiny)
J'ai sa flamme, (I have her flame)
Et j'ai sa main! (and I have her hand)
Jour prospère! (the day prosper)
Me voici (here I am)
Militaire, (in the militaire)
Et Marie! (and Marie)