Elephant's Lullaby

While the title is usually translated as "Elephant," the original title is the proper noun "Jumbo" (referring to a real elephant at the London Zoo, which also became the etymological origin of the word "gigantic"). In the autograph manuscript, it was mistakenly spelled “Jimbo,” which is how "Jumbo" is pronounced in French, and this spelling was carried over to the first edition. However, it has been corrected in the new complete edition.

In this piece, three themes play important roles:

• 1. The theme appearing in the left hand at the beginning. The indication "doux et un peu gauche" (gently and a little awkwardly) likely stems from the image of a girl singing to her elephant plush toy.
• 2. The old French lullaby “Do do l’enfant do”

This theme appears in the middle section starting from measure 39, and also appears in an expanded form preceding it in measures 11–14.Elephant's Lullaby, Measures 9–18Elephant's Lullaby, Measures 37–40Incidentally, this lullaby is also quoted in the second movement, "Mi-a-ou," of Fauré's Suite "Dolly," Op. 56, which was dedicated to Chouchou's half-sister, Hélène Bardac.Fauré: From 'Dolly,' Op. 56, Movement 2 'Mi-a-ou,' Measures 117–124

• 3. The theme appearing in the right hand at measure 47.

In the recapitulation, beginning at measure 63, themes 1 and 3 are combined.Elephant's Lullaby, Measures 61–64