un canadien errant — текст песни (misc traditional)

_UN CANADIEN ERRANT_
(folkloric quebecois)
(English lyrics follow)

1. G (Bm) Em C D7
Un Canadien errant, banni de ses foyers
G (Bm) Em C D7
Un Canadien errant, banni de ses foyers
D Bm C B7 Em
Parcourait en pleurant, des pays etrangers
D Bm C B7 Em
Parcourait en pleurant, des pays etrangers

2. Un jour, triste et pensif, assis au bord des flots (2X)
Au courant fugitif, il adressa ces mots: (2X)

3. Si tu vois mon pays, mon pays malheureux,
Va, dis a mes amis, que je me souviens d`eux.

4. O jours si pleins d`appas vous etes disparus
Et ma partie, helas! Je ne la verrai plus.

5. Non, mais en expirant, Oh mon cher Canada
Mon regard languissant vers toi se portera


NOTE: I`ve seen several attempts to translate this song into English, none of
them capture the literal essence of the original, but here`s one version by
renowned Canadian folklorist Edith Fowke. It drops the repetitions of the
French version, thus reducing the song to three verses.

1. Once a Canadian lad, exiled from hearth and home
Wandered, alone and sad, through alien lands unknown
Down by a rushing stream, thoughtful and sad one day
He watched the water pass, and to it he did say:

2. If you should reach my land, my most unhappy land
Please speak to all my friends, so they will understand
Tell them how much I wish that I could be once more
In that beloved land that I will see no more

3. My own beloved land I`ll not forget `til death
And I will speak of her with my last dying breath
My own beloved land I`ll not forget `til death
And I will speak of her with my last dying breath.


soumis par/ submitted by : Ted Hermary (czth@musica.mcgill.ca)