In Jean-Philippe Rameau’s famous baroque period opera, Hippolyte et Aricie, this lovely group song is sung in the first scene of the prologue by the nymphs of Diana in the Forest of Erymanthus. The Roman goddess Diana argues with the god Cupid over which one of them will rule over the forest and its inhabitants. Jupiter intervenes and gives the forest to Diana with one exception: one day of every year will be given to Cupid.


Watch a Youtube video of “Accourez, habitants des bois!”

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Prologue - Scene 1. DIANE, Nymphes de Diane, les habitants de la forêt
French Lyrics
Accourez, habitants des bois!
Accourez, habitants des bois!
Rendez hommage à votre Reine!
Qu’il est doux, qu’il est doux d’ètre sous les lois
De cette aimable souveraine!
Accourez, habitants des bois,
Accourez, habitants des bois!
Rendez hommage à votre Reine!
Accourez, habitants des bois!
Rendez hommage à votre Reine!
Qu’il est doux d’ètre sous les lois
De cette aimable souveraine!
Accourez, habitants des bois!
Rendez hommage à votre Reine!
Qu’il est doux d’ètre sous les lois
De cette aimable souveraine!
Qu’il est doux d’ètre sous les lois
De cette aimable souveraine.

English Lyrics
Hasten, inhabitants of the woods!
Hasten, inhabitants of the woods!
Pay tribute to your Queen!
How sweet, how sweet it is to be under the laws
of that kind sovereign!

Hasten, inhabitants of the woods,
Hasten, inhabitants of the woods!
Pay tribute to your Queen!
Hasten, inhabitants of the woods!
Pay tribute to your Queen!
How sweet it is to be under the laws
of that kind sovereign!
Hasten, inhabitants of the woods!
Pay tribute to your Queen!
How sweet it is to be under the laws
of that kind sovereign!
How sweet it is to be under the laws
of that kind sovereign.