Today we are bringing up an inspirational song from Tino Rossi – a warm and sweet grandfather like voice of Christmas. He sang one of the most famous and most played Christmas song in France Petit Papa Noël (Little Santa Claus). But he also wrote and sang another very beautiful and touching song Noël des Enfants Oubliés (Christmas of the Forgotten Children). This heartbreaking song is about the children that don’t get to celebrate the holidays like most of us do. In today’s economic environment more children will have no toys from Santa (Papa Noël) this Christmas and some will have no home to celebrate Christmas in. For 3 easy ideas to share with your children and grandchildren (great way to bring family and neighborhood together too!), check the suggestions below that can make a big difference and bring joy to another child.
Tino Rossi and 3 Ideas to Bring Joy to a Child
Here are 3 simple ideas to bring joy a child in need. And the children will cleanup their room at the same time – maman (mom) will love it!
- Kindness De-cluttering Mission: Give each of your children and grandchildren a large kitchen white bag and ask them to put in it gently used toys, board games, books, CDs, or video games that they did not use since last Christmas but that they feel will make another child happy. Then grab the bags and at least one week before Christmas, drop it off at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store near you (or in a nearby town or county which you know is less fortunate).
- Toy Drive Field Trip: Collect $5 or more from each of your children and grandchildren, take a field trip to Target (or other store with toys) and ask them to pick a toy for a child in need of the same age and same sex. Drive with them to the toy drive drop off location and let them donate the toy they chose.
- Hot Chocolate & Cookie Toy Drive: Invite neighborhood children for a “Hot Chocolate & Cookie Toy Drive” where they can bring a unwrapped new toy or $5 from their piggy bank. You can drop off their toys at a toy drive drop off location nearest you (or in a nearby town or county which you know is less fortunate). If you get piggy bank money, donation are always welcome at these toy drive locations or you can also buy a gift on their behalf by grouping the money collected.
- Locating Toy Drive Drop off Points: local newspapers, charitable organizations and churches will often advertise their toy drive efforts. You can also check online. When identifying a toy drive, make sure to find out if they accept gently used toys or only new toys. One option to find a toy drive drop off location close to you is to check Toys for Tots. We’ve done that and all you have to do is enter your state and county and they will direct you to the closest “Toys for Tots” toy drive — if you’re lucky, they will even have a handsome fat Santa (un beau gros Pere Noël )!
Tino Rossi and 3 Ideas to Bring Joy to a Child
Check below for Tino Rossi singing his touching song Noël des Enfants Oubliés (Christmas of the Forgotten Children) — the song may make you tear up (it does for us each time!) but it is very inspiring too! The lyrics, with our translation maison/homenade, are below the video.
Noël des Enfants Oubliés by Tino Rossi
Noël des Enfants Oubliés by Tino Rossi
Lyrics: Laurent (Tino) Rossi, Music: P. Levant & J.Lavande
| Noël des enfants oubliés | Christmas of the Forgotten Children |
| Noël des enfants oubliés | Christmas of the forgotten children |
| Des enfants sans foyer | Of the children without homes |
| Endormis dans la neige | Asleep in the snow |
| Noël des enfants sans jouets | Christmas of the children without toys |
| Qui ne connaissent pas | Who don’t know |
| Le bonheur d’une fête | The joy of a holiday celebration |
| Noël des enfants qui regardent | Christmas of the children that look |
| A travers une vitre | Through store windows |
| Des jouets interdits | Toys that will never be theirs |
| Noël des enfants oubliés | Christmas of the forgotten children |
| Des enfants malheureux | Of the unfortunate children |
| Qui ont les yeux si tristes | Who have such saddened eyes |
| Enfants endormis dans la neige | Children asleep in the snow |
| Soudain vous vous réveillerez | Suddenly you will wake up |
| Joyeux au milieu de tant de lumière | Joyful surrounded with so much light |
| Alors finiront vos misères | Then your misfortune will be over |
| Noël sera pour vous aussi | Christmas will be for you too |
| Un sapin étoilé | A Christmas tree with a star on top |
| Une petite crèche | A little crèche |
| Noël sera le plus beau jour | Christmas will be the most beautiful day |
| Qui donnera l’espoir | Which will give hope |
| Et fêtera l’amour | And which will celebrate love |
| Prions pour que vienne le jour | Let us pray for the day |
| Où plus un seul enfant | Where no more children |
| Ne sera oublié | Will be forgotten |
| Noël des enfants retrouvés | Christmas of the beloved children |
| Des enfants rassemblés | Of the children that are reunited |
| Pour te chanter | To sing for you |
| Noël, Noël, Noël! | Noel, Noel, Noel! |
This song is also featured in this month Art of the Home Noel Top 50.