How to create engaging team building yells. What are the best practices for crafting memorable team chants. Why are team building yells important for group cohesion and motivation. How to implement team chants effectively in the workplace.
Understanding Team Building Yells: Purpose and Impact
Team building yells, also known as team chants or cheers, are powerful tools for fostering unity and enthusiasm within a group. These vocal expressions serve as rallying cries, igniting motivation and camaraderie among team members. But what exactly makes these chants so effective?
Team building yells tap into the psychology of group dynamics. When individuals participate in a synchronized activity, such as chanting, it creates a sense of belonging and shared purpose. This collective experience triggers the release of endorphins, promoting positive emotions and strengthening social bonds.
The Science Behind Team Chants
Research in social psychology has shown that synchronized activities, like chanting, can lead to increased cooperation and trust among group members. This phenomenon, known as “behavioral synchrony,” has been observed in various contexts, from sports teams to corporate environments.
- Promotes group cohesion
- Boosts morale and motivation
- Enhances team identity
- Reduces individual anxiety
- Improves overall performance
Do team building yells really make a difference in workplace productivity? Studies suggest that they can. When implemented correctly, these chants can create a positive work atmosphere, leading to increased job satisfaction and, ultimately, better performance.
Crafting the Perfect Team Chant: Key Elements
Creating an effective team building yell requires careful consideration of several factors. The most memorable chants are often simple, catchy, and reflective of the team’s identity. How can you ensure your chant hits all the right notes?
Elements of a Great Team Chant
- Simplicity: Easy to remember and repeat
- Rhythm: A consistent beat that’s easy to follow
- Relevance: Reflects team values or goals
- Energy: Encourages enthusiastic participation
- Uniqueness: Distinguishes your team from others
Is there a formula for creating the perfect team chant? While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, following these guidelines can significantly increase your chances of crafting a chant that resonates with your team.
Popular Team Building Yells and Their Variations
Let’s explore some widely-used team building yells and examine why they’re effective. These examples can serve as inspiration for creating your own unique chants.
The Classic “Who Are We?” Chant
This simple yet effective chant follows a call-and-response pattern:
Leader: “Who are we?”
Team: “[Team Name]!”
Leader: “Who are we?”
Team: “[Team Name]!”
All: “[Team Name] all the way!”
Why does this chant work so well? Its simplicity allows for easy participation, while the repetition reinforces team identity. The crescendo at the end provides a satisfying conclusion, leaving participants energized.
The “Spelling It Out” Chant
This chant involves spelling out a key word or phrase:
All: “Give me an S! (S!)
Give me a U! (U!)
Give me a C! (C!)
Give me a C! (C!)
Give me an E! (E!)
Give me an S! (S!)
Give me an S! (S!)
What does that spell? SUCCESS!”
Can spelling out words really boost team morale? Absolutely! This type of chant engages participants both mentally and vocally, creating a sense of accomplishment as the word is revealed.
Implementing Team Building Yells in the Workplace
Introducing team building yells into a professional environment requires tact and consideration. How can you ensure these chants are well-received and effective?
Best Practices for Workplace Chants
- Introduce chants gradually
- Ensure chants are appropriate for the work environment
- Encourage participation but don’t force it
- Use chants strategically (e.g., before important meetings or projects)
- Regularly update or rotate chants to keep them fresh
Is there a risk of team building yells feeling forced or insincere? This concern is valid, which is why it’s crucial to implement chants in a way that feels organic and aligned with your company culture.
Customizing Chants for Different Team Sizes and Industries
The effectiveness of team building yells can vary depending on the size of your team and the nature of your industry. How can you tailor chants to suit your specific circumstances?
Chants for Small Teams
In smaller teams, personalized chants that highlight individual strengths can be particularly effective. For example:
“Sarah’s code, Tom’s design, Emma’s sales – together we shine!”
Chants for Large Organizations
For larger groups, focus on unifying themes and company-wide goals:
“Innovation is our mission, excellence our tradition!”
Can team building yells work in more formal industries? With the right approach, yes. In conservative sectors, consider more subdued chants or motivational phrases that align with professional standards while still fostering team spirit.
Measuring the Impact of Team Building Yells
To ensure that your team building yells are having the desired effect, it’s important to measure their impact. How can you gauge the effectiveness of these chants?
Indicators of Successful Team Chants
- Increased employee engagement
- Improved team communication
- Higher levels of reported job satisfaction
- Enhanced problem-solving capabilities
- Stronger sense of team identity
Are there quantitative methods to measure the impact of team building yells? While it may be challenging to isolate the effect of chants alone, you can use employee surveys, performance metrics, and team feedback to assess overall team cohesion and morale over time.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Team Building Yells
Despite their potential benefits, introducing team building yells can sometimes face resistance or skepticism. How can you address these challenges effectively?
Common Obstacles and Solutions
- Resistance from introverted team members
- Solution: Offer alternative ways to participate, such as creating chants or leading smaller groups
- Perception of chants as unprofessional
- Solution: Frame chants as team-building exercises and align them with company values
- Lack of enthusiasm over time
- Solution: Regularly update chants and tie them to specific achievements or milestones
- Cultural differences in multinational teams
- Solution: Create inclusive chants that celebrate diversity and shared goals
How can you ensure that team building yells remain a positive force in your workplace? The key lies in maintaining flexibility, being responsive to feedback, and continually adapting your approach to suit your team’s evolving needs.
Integrating Team Building Yells with Other Team-Building Activities
Team building yells can be even more effective when combined with other team-building initiatives. How can you create a comprehensive team-building strategy that incorporates chants?
Synergistic Team-Building Approaches
- Use chants to kick off team-building events
- Incorporate yells into problem-solving exercises
- Create chants that reflect lessons learned from team-building activities
- Use chants to celebrate team achievements
- Integrate yells into virtual team-building sessions for remote teams
Can team building yells enhance the effectiveness of other team-building activities? Absolutely. When used strategically, chants can reinforce the lessons and bonds formed through other team-building exercises, creating a more cohesive and memorable experience.
In conclusion, team building yells are powerful tools for fostering unity, boosting morale, and enhancing team performance. By understanding their psychological impact, crafting effective chants, and implementing them thoughtfully, you can create a more engaged and cohesive team. Remember to adapt your approach based on your team’s unique characteristics and be open to evolving your chants over time. With the right strategy, team building yells can become an integral part of your organization’s culture, driving success and satisfaction across the board.
Team Building Yell: How to Do One
Updated: March 15, 2022
You found our guide on how to do a team building yell.
Team building yells are shouts that teams use to generate motivation and momentum. For example, “Fantastic! Terrific! Great! Juice, juice, juice! Oh yeah!!”. These actions are also known as team chants or team cheers.
This article covers:
- Common cheers for team spirit
- How do you make a good team chant?
- Why is team spirit important?
Here we go!
Common cheers for team spirit
Here are some of the most common team spirit chants.
1. Hold up, wait a minute…
Let me put some spirit in it!
[Team Name] break it down,
Knock this team straight out of town!
2. We’re gonna spell fight in a way that’s better…
So when I say get on up, you just shout the letter,
Get on up, F,
Get on up, I,
Get on up, G,
Get on up, H,
Get on up, T,
What’s that spell?
FIGHT!
What do we do?
FIGHT!
One more time,
FIGHT, F-I-G-H-T, FIGHT!
3.
The S is for super and…
The U is for united
The P is for perfection and you know we are excited
The E is for energetic and
The R is for Rad
so tell the other team
We’re the best and we’re glad!
4. If you want to win…
You’ve got to cheer with all your might
When we say go you say fight
Go (Fight!) x8
5. Stronger than steel…
Hotter than the sun;
[Teammate name] won’t stop,
’til he gets the job done!
(repeat for each teammate)
How do you make a good team chant?
Good team yells are short, simple, and easy to memorize. Overly complicated chants may frustrate and confuse team members. Basic team chants are fun, easy to follow, and help workers feel included in the group.
You can follow the steps below to craft your own cheers for team spirit.
1. Consult the classics
You are not Mozart, and no one expects you to compose a symphony.
For best results, find an existing cheer and personalize the lyrics to fit your team. You can use pre-made cheers listed above for inspiration. You can also use a popular song with a familiar melody and write a team-centric parody.
A few song suggestions:
- Don’t Stop Believing by Journey
- We Will Rock You by Queen
- We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel
- Run the World by Beyoncé
- Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
- Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
Choosing an easy beat or a well-known song ensures that all members can follow along and join in the fun.
Here are more team building songs, motivational songs for work and high energy songs for conferences.
2. Generate a cool team nickname
When your chant leader shouts out, “Who are we?!” your team should have a reply besides silence. To maximize the belongingness factor of a group yell, you should select a cool team name. The simplest way to pick a team nickname is to assign each group a color, but you could be as creative as you wish.
Examples of cool and creative team names include The Three Marketeers, The Team Name Procrastinators, Avengers Understudies, or The Dot Com Squad.
Here are more team name ideas.
3. Write your mantra
Once you select your tune and your team name, you can write your actual cheer. You can decide whether you prefer to swap out a few words or concoct a totally new version from scratch. The process can be as singular or as collaborative as you like. Enlisting the whole team to craft the chant serves as a fun and creative team building exercise. Just be sure that all teammates agree on a comfortable level of raciness or cheeky language in the chant.
For best results, choose short and single syllable words, and pay attention to rhymes.
4. Practice, practice, practice
To perfect your cheer, practice when possible. Writing down and posting the cheer in a public area is a good way to include newer or forgetful teammates and to keep the chant fresh in your teams’ minds.
5. Scream your hearts out
Whether you created your team chant for a one time event, or as an ongoing energy exercise, you should perform your cheer with as much enthusiasm and energy as you can muster. You can recall the cheer whenever your team needs a boost, such as pre-presentation or during a sluggish afternoon. You can also use the team yell as a motivator in the morning or a warm up at a team building event.
Final Thoughts
Though cheering a team building yell may feel silly, chanting a unified motivational message promotes positivity in the workplace. As Psychology Today explains, authentic cheering can actually spur a reaction that floods our brains with natural feel-good chemicals.
Feel free to check out these guides to team building attire and team building examples.
FAQ: Team building yells
Here are answers to common questions about team building yells.
What are team building yells?
Team building yells are chants or cheers that groups do together to psych themselves up.
How do you write a team chant?
To write a team chant, first decide whether to write a parody to a popular song or create a chant from scratch. Then, use simple words and come up with lists of rhymes to make the chant catchy and easy to remember. Be sure to practice the chant as you write to ensure that the yell flows well.
Fleur De Noise Chant List
St. Louis Is Wonderful
Oh St. Louis (Oh St. Louis)
Is wonderful (Is wonderful)
Oh St. Louis is wonderful
It’s the home of the toasted ravioli
Oh St. Louis is wonderful
Who Are We + Oh Saint Louis City
Who are we? S-T-L
Who are we? S-T-L
Who are we? S-T-L
Who are we? S-T-L
S-T-L, S-T-L, S-T-L, S-T-L
S-T-L, S-T-L, S-T-L, S-T-L
OHHHH Saint Louis City (Tune: Seven Nation Army)
We’re St. Louis City (Tune: We’re Not Gonna Take It)
We’re St. Louis City
Hey, we’re St.
Louis City
We’re St. Louis City,
Who are you?
Oi, oi, oi oi oi!
Vamos St. Louis
Vamos, vamos, vamos Saint Louis!
(clap clap clap clap)
Vamos, vamos, vamos Saint Louis!
(clap clap clap clap)
Vamos…. Saint Louis…
Hey St. Louis SC
Hey, Saint Louis S C
We want to know
Will you score some goals
Goals
Goals
It’s all we really want is goals
From the forwards we want goals
From the midfield we want goals
And from the defense we want goals
goals goals goals GOALS
Ole Ole Ola (Cada Dia)
Ole Ole Ole
Ole Ole Ole Ola
Ole Ole Ole
Cada dia te quiero mas
Soooy de Saint Louis City
Es un sentimiento
No puedo parar
(repeat)
Meet Me In St. Louie
Meet me in St. Louie, Louie
Meet me at the PARK,
like the boys of 1950
we’re sure to leave our mark
It’s in our blood it’s in our history
As we cheer CITY to victory!
So won’t you meet me in St.
Louie, Louie,
Meet me at the Park!
Joao Klauss
He scores with his left
He scores with his right
You better watch out
Or he’ll score on ya twice
Joao Klauss is coming to town
Ba da da da da da da
Da da da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da
Da da da da da da HEY
(repeat)
Come On You Boys In Red
Call (Response)
City (City) 2x
Come on you boys in Red (Come on you boys in Red) 2x
St Lou’s red and blue (St. Lou’s red and blue) 2x
[tune: yankee doodle]
Come on City
score a goal
It’s really very simple
Put the ball into the net
And we’ll go freaking mental
Na, na na, na na, nana
Na na na na na na na
Na, na na, na na, nana
Na na na na na na na
[repeat from top]
When I See Saint Louis
When I see Saint Louis, I go out of my head.
I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough
All the things you do to me and
All the things you said
I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough.
We slip and slide and
We fall in love
And I just can’t seem to get enough
Shoot It Baby One More Time
Our goalless-ness is killing me (and I)
I must confess, I still believe (still believe)
When you’re not scoring I lose my mind
Give me a sign. Shoot it baby one more time
Ohhhh Oh Ohhhh S-T-L
Oooooh OH ooh
OH oh OH oh OH oh
oooOOOH OoOoh
ooOOoh oh oh OH oh
S-T-L
Read online “We sing to the deaf”, Natalya Andreeva – Litres
Canimus surdis [1]
Paris
This autumn in Paris was so cold and rainy that the main event of the season went unnoticed. After some time, it became clear to everyone from what exact moment the boredom reigning in high-society salons was replaced by expectation, and then impatience.
something had to happen, something out of the ordinary, as they say, beyond the bounds of decency .
But on that rainy cloudy day, Paris did not yet know that it was becoming a theater, on the stage of which another drama in the spirit of William Shakespeare was played, inflaming the imagination and kindling the imagination. A drama that will be remembered for a long time, savoring the scandalous details and discussing the unexpected actions of its main characters.
The season began earlier than usual, already in mid-October, the Parisian nobility, frozen and wet under incessant downpours, reached for winter apartments – to warm themselves in body and soul. Since it was considered bad form to return to the capital before November, everyone pretended that they were simply not here. And they accepted only people of their circle, and then only the closest friends and relatives, who also languished in boredom in anticipation of theatrical premieres and winter balls.
The season did not have an official opening, so, in general, everything was quite decent.
That October evening that started it all, a carriage drove up to the mansion on Casset Street, from which a lady in mourning got out, wrapped from head to toe so that no one could see either her face or her pleasant roundness of figure. It was completely incomprehensible whether she was good or bad, young or, on the contrary, old? One thing was clear: this lady belonged to high society. No matter how hard a person tries to hide the position he occupies, there are things that invariably betray him. The habit of secular life leaves its mark on everything, it is impossible to get rid of it and it is also impossible to forget who you once were. Memories are either angels or demons that accompany the soul until death, depriving it of peace.
A lady from high society, who once circulated in it and had success, acquires a certain special manner of keeping herself in society, even if this society consists only of her coachman and maid.
The movements of this lady are impeccable, the back remains straight under any circumstances, the tone in which she speaks is always even, and there is not a single careless detail in her clothes. Even the fan that she holds in her hand lives a social life, communicating on an equal footing only with a bottle of perfume, which hangs on the thinnest chain on the lady’s bracelet and is also well aware of its special position. After all, both the fan and the bottle become the object of desire for men who eagerly follow them in the hope of guessing the true feelings of their owner. For when the tone does not change even in moments of extreme excitement, gestures have a special eloquence.
And no one under any circumstances would dare to speak to such a lady as, say, one would speak to a grisette. Even a robber, stopping such a lady in a place where she should not appear, respectfully takes off his hat and delicately asks to give him a wallet.
Leaning on the arm of her coachman, the lady got out of the carriage and, without saying a single word, disappeared through the door of the gloomy house.
But the footman, who happened to come up to the window at that moment, whistled in surprise:
– Wow!
The fact is that this house, quite large, was divided into two wings. Both rooms were absolutely isolated, the left wing was occupied by a Spanish diplomat, a gloomy and reserved person. The wits said that he went to bed in a frock coat, fastened with all buttons, and without fail with the Order of the Legion of Honor around his neck, granted to him by Louis Philippe for special services to France. The king loved to arrange the marriages of his relatives, especially the Spanish marriages, for which in the end everyone hated him. But on the other hand, the Spanish diplomat was at court on a special account, and even in a dream he was afraid to forget about it and take on an inappropriate expression on his face.
From the second floor of the left wing, a handsome young footman, recently hired by an important Spaniard, noticed that the right wing would not be empty from now on either.
The young man, who, because of his age and good looks, could not miss a single skirt, tried to make out the details, but in vain. The yard was gloomy and all overgrown with ancient trees, which gave a huge shade. It was hard to think of a better hiding place if someone wanted to keep their incognito.
The footman got agitated for some reason and stood still for a long time, as if trying to squeeze out the glass with his forehead and peering into the twilight. Until it was rightly pointed out to him that he was not hired to mess around.
At this time, a light came on in the windows of the second floor of the other wing. The lady was tired from the road and wished to go to bed. Before going to sleep, she lay for a long time, not closing her eyelids and looking out the dark window, listening to the sound of rain. Nothing reminded her that she was in brilliant Paris. A gloomy street, a gloomy yard, a gloomy neighbor whom the lady inquired about before moving in. Anything befitting her position.
Exile and widowhood. But she was still so young!
“That’s Paris for you,” Countess Lanina said sadly and closed her eyes.
She firmly decided to lead a solitary life, simple and modest, not to seek acquaintance with anyone, not to make visits, to take walks exclusively in the evening, already at dusk, and limit herself to the services of only a maid, a cook and a coachman. No frills, no luxury. To live as befits a foreigner, a widow who has no more than ten thousand annuities, and only one carriage for traveling, respectively, only one horse in the stable.
“Sins must be expiated,” Alexandra thought as she fell asleep.
Literally a month later, all of Paris was already talking about her…
…In the foyer of the Italian Opera, as always, it was crowded. They gave “Don Pasquale”, although this one is controversial, condemned by everyone for the frivolity of the plot, but, of course, another masterpiece of maestro Donizetti. The Italians have long and firmly become fashionable under the admirable Rossini, who, although he did not prove himself as a theater director, wrote William Tell in Paris, thereby proving that he was a true Parisian, and nationality by birth does not matter.
After the Restoration was replaced by the July Monarchy and the Citizen King Louis Philippe ascended the French throne, happy times began for the Italian Opera in Paris. She was moderately frivolous, according to the moment democratic and rich in surprises. What else does the public, looking primarily for entertainment and greedy for the spectacle, need? It was from the Italians that a brilliant troupe crept up, so all the best composers of Europe rushed here, saying: “Vienna will wait.”
The Italian theater was rightfully considered the most elegant, so not to go there meant to pass for a provincial, a person who is behind fashion and life.
For the Parisian nobility, the theater has long been a sanctuary, for visiting which, as well as for visiting the church, there were certain days. So, it was customary to visit the Italians on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Sunday, high society ignored the theater. Sunday in Paris belonged to the mob, it filled the streets, clogged the cafes on the boulevards, filled the gallery to capacity and even seeped into the stalls.
Entrepreneurial ladies from high society, with a not so impeccable reputation, made Sunday the reception day, so that their salons were filled to capacity with distinguished guests. No one went to the theater on Sundays anyway.
It was considered good form for the Italians to have a box where the ladies sat and pretended to listen to the opera. The men, on the other hand, did not bother with this, they moved from lodge to lodge, like bees collecting honey from all the flowers that were somehow attractive. And they themselves exuded honey flattery, and sometimes they stung painfully, mainly, of course, their rivals. But the ladies got it too. The subject of discussion was their appearance and toilets. And also lovers.
That evening a group of young people lingered in the foyer between the first and second act. These gentlemen were the most enviable suitors in France, since they were all of good family and rich. Marriages in Paris were arranged at the Opera, not at the church.
Where, if not from the Italians, could one find out what the bride’s dowry really was and whether the groom had any means? From someone who was a member of the box, say, the Comtesse de Boagne, was it possible to say with certainty whether the newlyweds would be received in the aristocratic salons of the Faubourg Saint-Germain, where the supporters of the exiled king languished? Or, the path of this married couple lies straight in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where now only those who supported the new king, who was also called the citizen king, settled. There was an irreconcilable war between the clans of the “old” and “new” courtiers, they barely bowed to each other, and before marrying, a young man from society had to find out what were the political sympathies of his bride’s parents? And for this it was worth going to the Italians.
But that was not the subject of today’s brilliant youth. Not politics, not one of the first beauties of high society, Duchess K * and her guests. And not even her new lover, since she recently left the old one.
It was about a lady who had been the main mystery of Paris for a month now.
“Today is Tuesday,” the young people stated as they gathered in the foyer. “She comes here on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and never on Thursdays. And yet she had never been seen on the Champs Elysees, for a walk. Although, perhaps, she prefers the Bois de Vincennes? We must bribe her coachman.
“I’ll probably go down to the stalls,” said the fair-haired Marquis de R * excitedly. “She’s sitting in a benoir bed deep enough to hide in there. I tried to see it from the mezzanine, from the second tier, but in vain. Although I had binoculars in my hand. But he cannot convey all the charm of the beauty of this mysterious stranger.
“And it won’t help to talk to her,” said the young duke B*. – But there is no other way to determine who she is, alas. Just like trying to see it through binoculars. This is definitely a high society lady, so why isn’t she anywhere? And most importantly: why is he hiding?
“All I could see was luxurious honey-colored hair and amazing shoulders,” the Marquis said excitedly.
She is definitely a foreigner. There are no such colors in Paris, but rather the colors of the North. But for a northerner, her skin tone is too warm. This lady is like the sun that rises in the morning from the foam of the clouds. It does not burn, but caresses. I would like to see it in all details.
– Beware, Henri! laughed the duke, who, unlike his friend, was already engaged. – You, it seems, managed to fall in love, moreover, with a cloud enveloping a marble statue. What if there are cracks on it? What if she hides her warts in the back of the box?
– I’ll check it out now! Gentlemen, I’m going to the ground!
The box of the benoir, in which the mysterious stranger was sitting, was located at the very bottom, even lower than the stalls. The lady seemed to be carried away by what was happening on the stage, so she leaned on the barrier and leaned forward, listening to the delicious quartet: “Voglio, per vostra regola!” [2] . Don Pasquale was about to get married, and the marriage contract had just been signed.
The old man did not yet know that this was nothing more than a joke and a fake contract. He was persuaded by his nephew Ernesto, his mistress Norina and friend Malatesta. This quartet interested the mysterious lady so much that she moved out of the depths of her box, leaned her elbows on the barrier and let the marquis examine herself.
Their eyes met, and the marquis bowed politely. The lady had to answer. Between the second and third acts, the agitated marquis informed his friends about his discovery:
– The blonde lady’s incognito has been revealed, gentlemen! She is really a foreigner, the Russian Countess Lanina. I was introduced to her about three years ago, during the season of Christmas balls. Then she was not yet in mourning, and her husband, as everyone said, was fabulously rich.
– So she is a rich widow?
– Rich widows, Paul, behave differently. But soon I’ll find out. The Countess nodded to me, indicating that she recognized me. Therefore, I can talk to her.
– Will you go to her box without an invitation?!
– No, but I can approach the countess in the foyer. And try to reconnect.
– If you manage to become her lover, Henri, you will be the envy of all Paris! Promise that from noon the countess will receive your friends in her boudoir, her beauty quite allows her, that you will arrange a brilliant salon, and we will finally knock down that insufferable Madame de Boagne! We will save the best witticisms for the Russian beauty and go to her more often than to others. The Comtesse de Boagne will end up in splendid isolation.
– Paul! You are engaged to her niece!
– Yes, but that doesn’t oblige me to listen to the barbs that the Countess uses on her imaginary enemies five times a week! In my opinion, she is looking for intrigue where there is none, I am afraid that she would upset my marriage too!
– Yes, Madame de Boagne’s character has become unbearable since the inhabitants of the Faubourg Saint-Germain stopped visiting court! She hated everyone who has influence on the new king and on politics!
Having agreed on the character of the Comtesse de Boagne, the young people finally parted ways.
Duke B * went to his bride’s box, and the Marquis de R * ambushed, to wait for Countess Lanina to leave her shelter and appear in the foyer. He didn’t have to wait long. Apparently, the countess was not interested in a happy ending. At half-past ten, she, without having finished listening to the opera to the end, slipped out of the bin and tried to make her way to the exit unnoticed. But the marquis was on the alert.
“Madame, I see you recognize me,” he bowed as courteously as possible, afraid to frighten away such captivating prey. The Marquis has already begun the hunt.
– Please forgive my haste, sir, but I’ve been suffering from a migraine since morning. – Alexandra was impatient to get rid of him, she already regretted that she answered the bow, thus recognizing their acquaintance.
– I see you in mourning.
– Yes, I am a widow now. Therefore, I lead a solitary life.
– But given your condition and your beauty, this can be considered indecent.
“I no longer have a fortune,” Alexandra smiled sadly. – I’m an exile.
– All the more so, madam! said the Marquis enthusiastically. You don’t have to hide! Do you want me to introduce you again to the best Parisian salons? There you can easily make a brilliant party. You have been forgotten for the years that you were absent here, but they will quickly remember, I am sure of this.
“Thank you, but marriage doesn’t interest me,” the countess said rather dryly. – Don’t you think that our conversation went beyond the bounds of decency? I have to leave you…
– But is there anything I can do to help you, madam? exclaimed the marquis plaintively, feeling the game slip away. And fate took pity on him.
“I really have a slight problem,” the countess suddenly smiled. “And you are the first familiar face I saw in Paris, and besides, you spoke to me. Perhaps I will entrust my work to you. Oh no, it’s not about finances! I am looking for one of my relatives, but I do not know how to start this business.
Who to contact? I do not know local customs well and I am afraid to make a mistake. I don’t want to be expelled from here because I have nowhere else to go. What will you advice me?
– Neither the criminal police nor the political police will help you here, madam. Administrative persons value their place too much. Besides, you are a foreigner. Now, if it were about an assassination attempt or a major theft … – At these words, Countess Lanina shuddered slightly. “Then all the Parisian police would be at your service. Their main occupation is to expose conspiracies. There have already been two assassination attempts on our king, and the last time a bullet flew literally a centimeter from the head of the monarch. The police will seize on this case right there in order to prevent some next revolution . But a private matter, such as searching for a relative…” The marquis shook his head doubtfully. – No, no one will take it. You are unlikely to be heard to the end if you suddenly decide to go with your business to the prefecture.
– But what should I do? Alexandra frowned.
– Fortunately, I am closely acquainted with the minister, we are related, albeit distant, and the minister can put pressure on the prefect. There are secret agents who retired, but did not stop their activities.
– How to understand this?
– After the coup, many who flourished under Charles X were left out of work. In other words, they officially retired. But their value to the state is beyond doubt. They are no longer in the service, but are collecting information.
– Ah! So they are spies! Alexandra thought.
– They are ready to sell their souls to the devil for money, because they are always in need of funds.
– Well… I’m willing to pay. You see, Marquis, my case is connected with the inheritance … And I hope not only to return this money, but also to improve my position. Therefore, do not be shy about making promises.
– I understand. I’m sure you can be helped,” the young man looked at his interlocutor carefully.
“You will find the one you are looking for,” he said meaningfully. I will give you an answer in three days. Where can I meet you?
– I usually walk in the Bois de Boulogne from nine in the evening, or ten if I go to the theater that day, and breathe fresh air until almost midnight. For some time now I like loneliness, so I don’t go there during the day.
“Good,” the Marquis nodded. “Meet me there and I’ll let you know what I’ve done.”
– I am so grateful to you! – the Countess finally smiled, already without sadness, like a person who received hope.
The Marquis also beamed. The game did not allow itself to be shot, but did not hide in the forest either. The young man also had hope. The hope that acquaintance with the beautiful countess will become closer. In fact, a tidbit, young, beautiful, and besides, a widow. The rich old husband will no longer interfere with anyone. The marquis perfectly remembered this scarecrow: the whole appearance of Count Lanin left no doubt that he was not just a jealous man, of which there are many.
Deeply in love with his young wife, he was ready to do everything for her happiness, in addition to making her truly happy. Let her love who she wants. But, apparently, the count realized his mistake, because he died just in time. His widow is now at the age at which a woman has a special charm. She is still young, withering has not yet touched her, but her beauty has acquired that maturity, one might even say, sophistication, which drives men crazy. She is sensual, but not vulgar, triumphant, but not defiant. She is truly regal, this beauty of hers.
Therefore, the Marquis hastened to seize the opportunity. The very next day he had a conversation with the minister about the case of the beautiful Russian countess.
Alexandra quickly fell asleep for the first time this month and slept soundly until morning. She didn’t really know who to turn to. Where to start looking for Serge?
She spent the whole summer on the waters, first in German Baden, then in French Dieppe, hoping to meet Sobolinsky there.
The capital of France was completely empty in the summer, only proletarians and curious provincials remained in it, who did not understand Paris at all. Arriving there in the summer, they thought that this is Paris, and at the same time experienced terrible disappointment.
It was unacceptable for a secular young man to appear in the capital in the summer. Even if he did not have money to go to the waters, he preferred to hide from everyone, leave the house only in the dark and, accidentally bumping into someone he knew, pretend that he was confused with someone.
It was pointless to look for Serge in Paris at this time of the year, so Alexandra went to the most fashionable place: Baden. There she learned that for some time now, first the inhabitants of the aristocratic Faubourg Saint-Germain, and then the financial aristocracy from the Chauxe d’Antennes, prefer to go to the waters in Dieppe. Serge was a player; left without funds, he probably decided to get hold of money at the card table.
And where, if not in Dieppe, was the biggest game in the summer?
Arriving there, Countess Lanina experienced a terrible disappointment. No matter how much she walked along the shore, looking for Serge among the bathing men in ankle-length pantaloons and sweatshirts with short sleeves, but still these were not the arms and not the ankles that she was looking for. In Dieppe, in contrast to the stiff Baden, it was lively and cheerful. At low tide, brilliant young people arranged races right on the beach, and emerging from the water, these pampered aristocrats hastily wrapped themselves in expensive robes and put caps on their heads.
Alexandra smiled involuntarily, remembering her homeland. Truly, these French have no idea what cold is! She herself willingly bathed, and after that she simply exposed her face and hands to the hot summer sun, from which her skin acquired a golden hue. Since Alexander was not going to be in the world, she could not be shy about tanning. But the sun revived her, helped to cope with the sadness that had overcome the countess since she became a widow.
Then she realized that she was attracting everyone’s attention. All these men in caps and dressing gowns watched her especially closely. But, fortunately, their attention was diverted by an even more exotic lady: a black-haired and dark-skinned Spaniard who looked like a crow, who bathed in a fur coat, and in addition to it – in a fur muff!
Disillusioned with Dieppe, Countess Lanina left him at the beginning of September. Then her path lay in Italy, already without any hope of meeting Serge there. She went to Venice, from there to Florence, without stopping anywhere for a long time. And finally, in the middle of autumn, Alexandra chose Paris for her later life. The house was chosen at random, the main condition was complete privacy. But then Alexandra realized: “So I will never find his .”
Sobolinsky has sunk into the water. “Is he alive? she worried. “Maybe he ended up in a debtor’s prison?” She felt guilty for ruining the lives of both – both her husband and her lover, whom she sincerely considered her soulmate.
Now Aleksey Nikolaevich is dead, Serge is God knows where, and she is gnawed by longing.
The only thing left to do was to resort to the services of the police, but, as it turned out, they had no time for that. Alexandra did not at all intend to get close to the marquis, she already guessed his intentions. But she needed him, because the search for Serge Sobolinsky came to a standstill. Alexandra knew little about life in France, where she had once been, diligently patronized by her husband, who was much older than her, was afraid of Paris, she was a foreigner in a strange, unfamiliar country, now completely alone, and she could only hope for a chance meeting. But how long will you have to wait? Perhaps for the rest of your life? After all, Serge could no longer be alive. Alexandra should have known that for sure.
So three days later she was walking excitedly in the Bois de Boulogne, waiting for the Marquis de R*. It was already dark, but Alexandra was only happy about it.
She didn’t want to be noticed. At last she heard the carriage drive up.
Marquis moved to her in the carriage, now she felt his breath, felt the smell emanating from his clothes. The Marquis was the very embodiment of Parisian style , having grown up in the world, moving in the most aristocratic salons, this young man acquired the habit of speaking without embarrassment on the most piquant topics and at the same time not descending to vulgarity.
Without a doubt, he took this meeting as a love date, and now Alexandra was wondering how to let him know that she was not interested in novels? The Marquis was a pleasant young man, with impeccable manners and, apparently, with means. In anticipation of a suitable match, he made his mistresses from married ladies, choosing the most beautiful. With such looks and with such a pedigree, he could well afford it. Alexandra was slightly annoyed by his self-confidence.
“I spoke to the Minister about your case, Countess,” the Marquis said cheerfully.
“And today I had a conversation with the prefect. Very short, because I have nothing to talk about with the officials, but for your sake…” He paused meaningfully. Alexandra was silent. So, you have found the right person for you. Be at the Champs-Elysées tomorrow at seven o’clock. First turn onto Rue Marigny, then follow Avenue Gabriel. Leave the carriage and move along it on foot until you are called.
– God, what a mystery! Alexandra chuckled. – But who is he, this your … detective?
– The prefect said he was completely reliable, madam. And this policeman knows his agents well.
“I am so grateful to you, Marquis…” she felt him approach.
– How long are you going to stay in Paris? she heard ingratiatingly.
– Until I find my … relative.
– But the search may take longer.
– Possibly.
– Trust me, madam. I see you have some secret.
– We are not that close.
– But can I count on getting closer?
She hesitated.
Push him away? It would be impolite. After all, he helped her. Let from their own, selfish, goals, but without him, she would be at an impasse. To deprive him of hope would be unfair. And then: they can be friends.
– I have lost the habit of Paris because I haven’t been here for a long time. Much must have changed just as fashion has changed. What is now accepted here and what is not? she asked with a smile.
– Paris! The marquis leaned back in his seat and laughed softly. – Oh, Paris! If the lady here cares about decorum, she runs the risk of being branded as a blue stocking. When she receives guests in her salon, it is indecent for her husband to appear there. Only some bourgeois can afford it, to flaunt marital feelings. The husband of this noble lady at the same time makes jokes about his wife’s guests in another salon. The main thing is that the spouses belong to the same party and live in a place that clearly indicates belonging to this party. So, if you are an orthodox royalist, a supporter of the exiled king, don’t even think of settling on the Highway d’Antennes, you won’t be understood there.
I’ll tell you more: if a young man from the Chaussée d’Antennes, with his buzzwords and peremptory judgments, descends on his bride’s parents in the prim quarter of the Marais, he risks being left without a bride as a result.
– So, if I don’t want to have a lover, I should settle permanently in the Marais? she hinted.
– Madam, you are breaking my heart! They don’t live in the Marais, they bury themselves there! But why do you need it? To you, with your dazzling beauty, so young and full of life! Yes, you are life itself!
– And if I say that I was disappointed in love?
– Who among us has not been disappointed in her? Look at me. Before you sits the most disappointed man in the whole wide world! said the marquis cheerfully. – And disappointed in absolutely everything. I assure you, by combining our two disappointments, we will become the most fashionable people in Paris, because here it is not customary to be happy. Happiness is hidden here, madam, while disappointment is exposed.
And you intrigue everyone: you hide your disappointment. Yes, it should shine! Now I understand why all of Paris is already talking about you! Paris feels the blood, as a pack of hounds feels a wild beast that is about to be hunted down. Paris is already on your trail. You can save yourself from it only by becoming happy. And then they will leave you alone.
– You have intrigued me, sir. Until now, I was sure that I was doing the right thing, doing everything in order to remain unnoticed. It turned out the opposite.
– You need a mentor and adviser. Since you are now a widow,” said the marquis ingratiatingly. – Don’t chase me. I’m not rushing you. But, before you change the apartment, consult with me. Paris is a galaxy without a center. There are five or six hundred people here who decide everything. Public opinion is formed in the salons, madam. And the salon is a woman. Name and address. You cannot hide for long. You will have to open the doors of your house or leave.
– But until I have decided which side to take, I ask you not to advertise our acquaintance. Don’t tell anyone that we’ve met. Perhaps soon I will receive you quite officially at home. If I can find funds to arrange receptions.
– So make debts! Everyone lives in debt, and for your beauty, they will willingly lend you any amount. It’s like putting money in the most reliable bank. One word from you – and an important deal will be concluded. The appointment that some petty nobleman has been seeking for so long will happen in one second. The judge’s decision will be made in favor of the one you point to. All these little favors cost a lot of money, madam. In Paris, you can live without them, if you have useful contacts. But I see that I have tired you. I hasten to bow out. I will walk here every day, if possible, in the hope of finding you. I dare to think that I have earned this right.
Marquis jumped off the step easily and called his crew.
– To Tetbu street! he said to the coachman.
– To Mademoiselle Bocage!
“What should I do? Alexandra thought sadly. “I’ll have to find a patron so that the others won’t bother me. A woman without a man is food for gossip. A lady from high society must certainly have an official lover, otherwise she will be credited with many secret ones. And it will only get worse. They start to think: why is she here? just living? But it can be done in the provinces as well. And if a person came to Paris, then he has a business. My case does not require publicity. And I need to figure out how to arrange it.”
What songs do we sing – Teacher’s newspaper
I remember the years of study at the Slavgorod Pedagogical College: a wooden dormitory and our room in this dormitory. The interior is more than modest: there are beds along the walls, bedside tables between them, and a table in the middle of the room. There is a radio on the wall. And that’s it! But how happy we were then! Dreamed of love, future work, happiness. And good songs helped us never lose heart! We especially liked the songs of Grigory Ponomarenko.
The lights in our dorm were only on until 1:00 am (that was the order), and a concert was once broadcast as early as 2:00 pm. We burned matches in order to write down words under such “lighting”. We got a lot from the commandant for accidentally burning the oilcloth on the table, but the very next day Saratov Sufferings, Over the Volga River, Ivushka sounded in our room.
When a few years ago I saw Grigory Ponomarenko’s portrait in a mourning frame on the screen, I didn’t want to believe it. A lump came up to my throat: there was a feeling that I had lost a loved one.
Another loss is also irreplaceable. The sincere songs of Gennady Zavolokin, his live communication with different people left a good light in our souls, and we did not want to believe in his death. Just think – in all of vast Russia there was only one person, a stocky strong man – a Siberian who revived the accordion, which was already silent, drowned out by the loud sounds of new instruments. Zavolokin revived the love for the accordion, and it sounded at the top of its voice, bringing joy and hope to people.
Suffice it to recall the happy faces of performers and listeners – people of different ages, different professions, united by love for the Motherland, for Russian culture, for Russian accordion …
And the songs of Alexandra Pakhmutova! We grew up with them, matured, dreamed, overcame difficulties.
All of them teach kindness, sensitivity, fidelity – whether they are songs about love, friendship, sports, about people of different professions or about nature …
Iosif Kobzon once very correctly remarked that everyone is looking for a national idea, and it is in Pakhmutova’s songs!
“You went to the sultry steppes,
I went to explore in the taiga…”
This is a song not only about geologists, but about all of us! We all need both love and loyalty, we all want someone to wait and wait for us …
And probably, not a single festive feast is complete without “Hope”: many things change in our lives, many disappointments come to replace bright dreams, but, drowning out the heartache, we sing: “Hope is my earthly compass…”
While studying at the Pedagogical College, our teachers taught us children’s songs, which we then carried to the school – to the children.
