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Entered uccorditiK to Act of Parliament of Canada, bj; William McLennan, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture, in the year 1885. GAZETTE PRINTING CO., MONTREAL. PREFACE. Many of these translations were published during the course of the present year in the column of RphemerUies in the Montreal Gazette, and were written in response to an enquiry for English translations of the old Canadian songs. The object of the translator has been to present, in an English dress and in a form that will allow of their being sung to the airs which most of us have heard with delight, a few of the more popular and striking of those songs of Old France, so wonderfully preserved by our song- loving countrymen. Of these, many have disapjieared in their mother-country, and in nearly all of them changes and corruptions have debased either the words or the air. It is also to be feared, alas ! that even in the Province of Quebec, which has been their ark of safety for so long, some of them are being forgotten. The selections that have been made are those which appeared to the translator to offer the best opjjortunity for successful treatment in another language ; while some of the PREFACE. most poinilar songs, such as A Saifit-Ma/o, Marianne sen va-t-au Moulin and La belle Fran(oise, lia\e been most unwillingly passed over, on account either of the form or the sul)ject. When one remembers the difficulty of sus- tained rhyming in our language, and the absolute necessity of it in such songs as these, tiie repetition of terminal words and phrases which occurs will be understood. It will be noticed that most of the songs bear only their first line by way of title, but in this M. Gagnon has been followed, and it must be remembered that he took down the songs as he heard them sung by the people. Few of them had ever been printed, and fewer still had names. Those who are interested in the subject, will find a rich store of information in Les Chansons populaires du Canada by M. Ernest Gagnon, an invaluable work the second edition of which was published by Robert Morgan, Quebec, in 1880, and, in an able and useful article by Dr. Larue, in the Foyer Canadien of 1863. To these sources the translator is deeply indebted both for the original text and for much of the information contained in the notes. Montreal, December ist, 1885. CONTENTS. 1. A la claire fontaine, 2. Malbrouck, .... 3. Lo pommier doiix, . 4. En roulant ma boule, . 5. Gai le rosier, . 6. Brigadier, .... 7. Dans Jcs prisons de iN antes, 8. Cecilia, .... 9. C'etait line fregate, . 10. Entre Paris et Saint Denis, . 11. Marianson, 12. Jamais je nourrirai de geai, . 13. J'ai perdu mon amant', 14. Noel. D'oii viens-tu, bergere, I'AdE. 2 8 • 14 20 . 26 30 . 36 40 . 44 48 • 54 62 , 66 70 Pve trUdto waken tvith a Icniug care Some echo cf the joyance of these lays, Which sound as siceetly en Canadian air, As 'neath the skies of France in olden days. llotv often has each song been lightly sung By lips that now are silent for all time ! How often has each tender cadence Jiung O'er distant seas the magic of its chime! Oblivion's selfxvas softened by their grace And stored them safe within a people's heart, To share the fortunes of a songful race. And charm us ivith the artlessncss of Art. A LA CLAUSE FONTAINE. Ala claire fontaine M'en allaiit promener, J'ai trouve I'eau si belle Que je m'y siiis baigne. I' ya lofigtemps gue Je faime, Jamais je nc foublicrai, J'ai trouve I'eau si belle Que je m'y suis baigne, Et c'est au pied d'un chene Que je m'suis repose. Et c'est au pied d'un chene Que je m'suis repose : Sur la plus haute branche Le rossignol chantait. M A LA CLAIRE FONTAINE. DOWN to the crystal streamlet I strayed at close of day ; Into its limpid waters, I plunged without delay. I've loved thee long and dearly, I'll love thee, Sweety for aye. Into its limpid waters, I plunged without delay ; Then mid the flowers springing At the oak-tree's foot 1 lay. Then mid the ilowers springing At the oak-tree's foot I lay ; Sweet the nightingale was singing, High on the topmost spray. OLD CANADIAN SONGS. Sur la plus haute branche Le rossignol chantait ; Chante rossignol, chante, Toi qui as le coeur gai. Chante rossignol, chante, Toi qui as le coeur gai ; Tu as le coeur a rire, Moi je I'ai-t-a pleurer. Tu as le cceur a rire, Moi je I'ai-t-a pleurer ; J'ai perdu ma maitresse Sans pouvoir la trouver. J'ai perdu ma maitresse Sans pouvoir la trouver ; Pour un bouquet de roses Que je lui refusai. ii Pour un bouquet de roses Que je lui refusai ; Je voudrais que la rose Flit encore au rosier. A LA CLAIRE FONTAINE, Sweet the nightingale was singing, High on tlie toi)most spray ; Sweet bird ! keej) ever ringing Thy song with heart so gay. Sweet bird ! keep ever ringing Thy song with heart so gay ; Thy heart was made for laughter, My heart's in tears to-day. Thy heart was made for laughter, My heart's in tears to-da}- ; Tears for a fickle mistress, Flown from its love awa)-. In tears ibr a fickle mistress. Flown from its love away, All for these faded roses Which I refused in play. All for these faded roses Which I refused in play — Would that each rose were growing Still on the rose tree gay ! Ili 6 i|! OLD CANADIAN SONGS. Je voudrais que la rose FOt encore an rosier, Et que le rosier mdme FCit dans la mer jete. /' ya longtemps que je faimCy Jamais je ?ie foiiblierai. i .1 LA CLAIRE FONTAiyE. Would that each rose were growing Still on the rose tree gay, And that the fatal rose tree Deep in the ocean lay ! I've loved thee long afid dearly^ III love thee. Sweety for aye. 7 h i ill i MALBROUCK. MALBROUCK s'en va-t-en guerre, Mirofiton, mironton, viifo?itame, Malbrourk s'en va-t-en guerre, Ne salt quand reviendra. II revlendra-z-a Paques, Ou a la Trinite. La Trinite sc passe, Malbrouck ne revient pas. Madame a sa tour monte, Si haut qu'eir pent monter. Elle aper^oit son page Tout de noir habille. 8 lU: MALBROCCK. M ALBRoucK has gone a-fighting, Mironion, viinmton, miiontaine, Malbrouck has gone a-fighting But when will he return ? Percliance he'll come at Easter Or else at Trinity ^IVrm. But IVinity 7erm is over And ^'►lalbrouek come.s not yet. My Lady climbs her watch tower As high as she can get. She .ees her page approaching All clad in sable hue : T 10 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. Beau page, ah ! mon beau page, Quell' nouvelle apportez ? !i Aux nouvell's cjue j'apporte, Vos beaux yeux vont pleurer. Quittcz vos habits roses, Et vos satins broches. Monsieur Malbrouck est mort, Est mort et entcrre. Je I'ai vu porter en terre. Par quatre-z-officiers. L'un portait sa cuirasse, L'autre son bouclier. L'un portait son grand sabre, L'autre ne portait rien. A I'entour de sa tombe, Romarins Ton planta. MALBROrCK. It * Ah page, brave page, what tidings From my true lord bring you ? " " The news I bring, fair Lady, Will make your tears run down ; " Put off your rose-red dress so fine And doff your satin gown. " Monsieur Malbrouck is dead, alas ! And buried too, for aye ; " I saw four officers who bore His mighty corse away. '' One bore his cuirass, and his friend His shield of iron wrought ; *' The third his mighty sabre bore, And the fourth — he carried nought. " And at the corners of his tomb They planted rose-marie ; T It L I) I M yA DIA N .SONGS. Siir la plus haute bianche, Le rossignol chanta. On vit voler son amc, A travers des lauriers. Chacun mit ventre a terre, Et puis se releva. Puur chanter les victoires, Que Malbrouck remporta. La ceremoni' faite, Chacun sen tut s'coucher. J'n'en dis pas davantage Miro)iton^ uiirontoii^ mironta'uie^ J'n'en dis pas davantage Car en voila z-assez. MALBHOVCK. " And from their tops the nightingale Rings out her carol free. " We saw, above the laurels, His soul fly forth amain ; ** And each one fell upon his face And then rose up again. ** And so we sang the glories For which great Malbrouck bled ; /* And when the whole was ended Each one went off to bed. 13 '' I say no more, my Lady, Mironton, mironion, niirontalne, I say no more, my Lady, As nought more can be said." f ii LE POMMIER DOUX. I PAR derrier' chez mon pere, Vole, mon ca'ur, vole^ Par derrier' chez mon pere, r ya-t-iin pommier doux ; Tout dotix, V ya-t-un pommier doux. Les feuilles en sont vertes, J''oh\ mon Civnr, vole, L,,s feuilles en sont vertes Et le fruit en est doux ; Tout doux, Et le fruit en est doux. 14 LE POMMIER DO UK, A N apple tree there groweth, -^^ Fly aivay, tny heart, away ; •An apple tree there groweth Within my father's close ; So sweety Within my father's close. Oh, bright is every leaf tiiereon, Fly away, my heart, away ; Oh, bright is every leaf thereon And sweet the fruit that grows So sweet, And sweet the fruit that grows. 15 A f i6 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. Nos amants sont en guerre, Vole, 7)10 n cmu'y vole, Nos amants sont en guerre lis combattent pour nous ; Tout (louxy lis combattent pcur nous. i Trois fiUes d'un prince, Vole, nion cceur, vole, Trois nlles d'un prince Sont endormies dessous ; Tout doux, Sont endormies dessous. ;i La plus jeun' se reveille, Vole, mon avur, vole, La plus jeun' se reveille : — Ma sanir, voila le jour ; Tout doux, ALa socur, voila le jour. LE POMMIER DOUX, The King's three lovely (laughters, F/y away, tny heart, away ; The King's three lovely daughters Beneath its branches lay, So siueet, Beneath its branches lay. The youngest wakens lightly, F/y azvay, my heart, away ; The youngest wakens lightly : " My sister, here is day ! So sweety " My sister, here is day ! " 17 " T'is but a star that's gilding, Fly away, fny heart, away ; " T'is but a star that's gilding With its sweet light our love, So sweet, '' With its sweet light our love." f i8 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. — Non, ce n'est qu'une etoile, Vole, 7Hon cccur, vole^ Non, ce n'est qu'une etoile Qu'eclaire nos amours ; Tout doux, Qu'eclaire nos amours. S'ils gagnent la bataille, Vole^ men co^ur, vole^ S'ils gagnent la bataille, lis auront nos amours ; Tout doux, lis auront nos amours. Qu'ils perdent ou qu'ils gagnent, Voie, inon cceur, vole^ Qu'ils perdent ou qu'ils gagnent, lis les auront toujours ; Tout doux, lis les auront toujours. • XZf =ssmm LE POMMIER DOUX, ^9 '' Our lovers ride to battle, F/y away, my heart, away ; Our lovers ride to battle Their love for us to prove, So sweet, Their love for us to prove." " And if they gain the battle, F/y away, my heart, aivay ; And if they gain the battle, Our love shall crown the day. So sweet, Our love shall crown the day." . " Oh, let them win or let them fail, F/y away, my /leart, away ; Oh, let them win or let them fail. Our love is theirs alway, So sweet, Our love is theirs alway." fi EN ROULANT MA BOULE. Derrier' chez nous, ya-t-nn etang, En roulant ma bou/e. Trois beaux canards s'en vont baignant, E?i toulant ??ia bou/e. Rouli, roulant^ ma boule roulant^ En roulant ma boule roulant^ En roulant ma boule. Trois beaux canards s'en vont baignant, Le fils dii roi s'en va chassant. Le fils du roi s'en va chas?ant Avec son grand fusil d'argent. 'J 1 Avec son grand fusil d'argent Visa le noir, tua le blanc. 20 EN ROULANT MA BOULE. BEHIND the Maiior lies the mere, En roulant ma boule ; Three ducks bathe in its water clear, En roulant ma boule. Rouli, roulant, ma boule 7'oulant, En roulant ?na boule roulant^ En roulafit ma boule. Three fairy ducks swim without fear : The Prince goes hunting far and near. The Prince at last draws near the lake : He bears his gun of magic make. With magic gun of silver bright, He sights the Black but kills the White. 21 X. I 1 ■ 1 1 1 aa OLD CANADIAN soy GS. Visa le noir, tua le blanc : O fils du roi, tu es mechant ! i j — O fils du roi, tu es mechant D'avoir tue mon canard blanc ! D'avoir tue mon canard blanc, Par dessous I'aile il perd son sang, Par dessous I'aile il perd son sang. Par les yeux lui sort'nt des diamants. Par les yeux lui sort'nt des diamants, Et par le bee Tor et I'argent. Et par le bee Tor et I'argent, Toutes ses plum's s'en vont au vent. Toutes ses plum's s'en vont au vent, Trois dam's s'en vont les ramassant Tr'\ d?>?n's s'en vont les ramassant, '. eyi vHir en faire un lit de camp. EN liOVLANT MA BOULE. He sights the Black but kills the White : Ah ! cruel Prince, my heart you smite. Ah ! cruel Prince, my heart you break, In killing thus my snow-white Drake. My snow-white Drake, my Love, my King ; The crunson life-blood stains his wing. His life-blood falls in rubi<-'S bright, His diamond eyes have lost their light. The cruel ball has found its quest, His golden bill sinks on his breast. His golden bill sinks on his breast, His plumes go floating East and West. n ■ Far, far they're borne to distant lands, Till gathered by fair maidens' hands ; Till gathered by fair maidens' hands; And form at last a soldier's bed. 24 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. I C'est pour en faire un lit de camp, E?i roulant via boule. Pour y coucher tous les passants E)i roulant ma boule. Rouli, roulafit, ma boule roulant ^ En roulant ma boule roulant, En roulant tna boule. \ V E.y ROULANT MA BOULE. n Y And form at last a soldier's bed, En I'oulant ma boule ; Sweet refuge for the wanderer's head, En roulant ma boule. Rouli, roulant, ma boule rouhtnty i:n roulant ma boule roulant, En roulant ma boule. GAI LE ROSIER. PAR denier' chez ma tante r ya-t-im bois joli ] Le rossignol y chante Et le jour et la nuit. Gai /on hi, ^s^ai le rosier D21 joli mois de mai. Le rossignol y chante Et le jour et la nuit. II chante pour ces belles Qui n'ont pas de mari. II chante pour ces belles Qui n'ont pas de mari, II ne chant' pas pour moi Car j'en ai-t-un joli. 26 \ GAT LE ROSIER. BEHIND my aunts there grovveth A wood all greenery ; The nightingale's song filleth Its glades with melodie. Gai Ion la, gat le rosier Du joU mois de mai. The nightingale's song filleth Its glades with melodie ; He sings for maids whose beauty No lover holds in fee. He sings for maids whose beauty No lover holds in fee ; f'or me he singeth never, For my True-love loves me. 27 ^Tfl 2S OLD c. \ iW 1 o/A X soyas. II ne chant' i)a.s pour moi Car j'en ai-t-un joli : II n'est point dans la danse, II est bicn loin d'ici. II n'est point dans la danse II est bicn loin d'ici ; II est dans la Holiande : Lcs HoUandais I'ont pris. II est dans la Holiande : Les HoUandais Tout pris. — Que donneriez-vous, belle, Qui I'amcn'rait ici ? Que donneriez-vous, belle, Qui I'amen'rait ici ? — Je donnerais Versailles, Paris et Saint-Denis. Je donnerais Versailles, Paris et Saint Denis Et la claire fontaine Dans mon jardin joli. Gill Ion la, gai le rosier Du joli mois de viai. GM LE nosiKli. For me he singeth never For my True-love loves me ; He joins no more tlie dancers, Alas ! he's far from me. He joins no more the dancers, Alas ! he's far from me, A prisoner ta'en while fighting In distant Germanic. A prisoner ta'en while fighting In distant Germanic. ** What wilt thou give, sweet maiden. An I bring him back to thee?" " What wilt thuu give, sweet maiden, An I bring him back to thee ? " " I'll give thee all Versailles, Paris and Sl. Denis." '' I'll give thee all Versailles, Paris and St. Denis, And the crystal fount that floweth In my garden clear and free." Gai /on hi, gai le rosier Du joli mois de niai. 29 BRIGADIER, DEUX gendarmes, iin beau dimanche ; Chevauchaient le long dii sentier ; L'un portait la sardine blanche, L'autre le jaune baudrier. Le premier dit d'un ton sonore, Le temps est beau pour la saison. Brigadier, repondit Pandore, Brigadier vous avez raison. Ah ! c'est un metier difficile, Garantir la propriete, Proteger les champs et la ville Du vol et de rinicpiite. Pourtant I'epouse que j 'adore Repose seule a la maison. Brigadier, repondit Pandore^ Brigadier vous avez raison. 30 i BRIGADIER. Two men-at-arms came riding slowly Adown the green path, smooth and clear ; One held the rank of sergeant lowly, The other that of brigadier. The brigadier cried, " Brave Pandore, The weather's fine— no signs of rain." '' Brigadier," laughing cried Pandore, " Brigadier, right you are again ! " *' It is no easy matter, surely, To guard the peasant in his cot, To hold the cities so securely That thieves break in and jilunder not ; And yet the wife whom I adore, In safety dwells where Love doth reign." " Brigadier," laughing cried Pandore, " Brigadier, right you are again !" 31 32 OLD cAXADiAy soyos. La gloire, c'est une couronne Faite de rose et de laurier ; J'ai servi Venus et Bellone, Je suis epoux et brigadier ; Mais je poursuis ce meteore Qui vers Chalcos, guida Jason. Bri'^a^/cr, repo?idit Pandore^- Brigadier vous avcz raison. Je me souviens de ma jeunesse, Le temps pass^ ne revient pas, J'avais une folle maitresse Pleine de merites et d'appas. Mais le cceur, pourquoi, je I'ignore Aime a changer la garnison. Brigadier, rcpondit Pandore, Brigadier I'ous arez raison. Plitibus au bout de sa carriere Put encor les apercevoir ; Le brigadier de sa voix fiere, Peveillait les echos du soir : * I * BRIGADIER. " For Glory's wreath of fairest flowers With rose and laurel intertwined ; For Love and War, immortal powers, I live— and cast the rest behind. . The Power that Jason led of yore I chase and trust the prize to gain." " Brigadier," laughing cried Pandore, " Brigadier, right you are again ! " "It brings bright days of youth before me ; That Past now gone beyond recall, When Beauty flung her fetters o'er me, I came submissive to her call. And yet — the heart breaks o'er and o'er The strongest links of Cupid's chain." '' Brigadier," laughing cried Pandore, " Brigadier, right you are again." 33 As Phoebus hid his glories under The golden clouds that veil the West, Our hero with his voice of thunder Still broke the evening's quiet rest. ...,f.^^>,r.nPi^mil,mi,.,.w^~^i:.f^,,v-.*^^^^^^^^ r 34 OLD CANADIAN iSONGS. Je vois, dit-il, le soleil qui dore Ces verts coteaux a I'horizon. Brigadier^ repondit PaJidore^ Brigadier vous avez raison. Puis ils chemineront en silence ; On n'entendit plus que le pas Des chevaux marchant en cadence, Le brigadier ne parlait pas ; Mais quand pariit la pale aurore, On entendit un vague son ; Brigadier, repondit Pandore^ Brigadier vous avez raison. apiw^wwwpi . f Ji«i W B Bi j w i ff w. q iini m ii i w j i . " ^ ii i . iii^ -■>-- ' g . -tl _-..-^-.^»^.- n.^^rt,-, rti' BRIGADIER. *' Farewell ! " he cried, " on distant shore Your light will gild both hill and i)lain." "Brigadier," laughing cried Pandore, " Brigadier, right you are again ! " 35 He ceased — and now their horses tramning Fell softly on the yielding ground, And save their iron bridles champing. They passed along and made no sound ; But when Aurora smiled once more One still might hear the faint refrain — '' Brigadier," laughing cried Pandore, " Brigadier, right you are again ! " I DANS LE^ I \ rsOJVS DE NANTES DANS les prisons de Nantes r : •■ • n prisonnier, Gaif /. i^ fahirette* V ya t-iin prisonnier. Ga , jail o?-. . '^'■'. i ? Que personn' ne va voir Que la fill' du geolier. Elle lui porte a boire A boire et a manger. Un jour il lui demande : — Qu'est-c' que Ton dit de moi ? ^ Le bruit court dans la ville Que demain vous mourrez. 36 DANS LES PI^ISONS DE NANTES. IN prison cell at Nantes A hapless prisoner lay, Gai. faluron^falurette, A haple^^s prisoner lay. Gaij/aluron, donde. No human soul came nigh him, Save the jailor's daughter gay : With her fair hands supplying His prison fare each day. One morn he cried, half sighing: " What do the gossips say ? " " Alas, they say to-morrow Will be your dying day." 37 ff 38 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. — Puisqu'il faut que je meure, Ah ! deliez-moi les pieds. La fiUe encore jeunette, Lui a lache les pieds, Le garden fort alerte, A la mer s'est jete. De la premiere plonge All fond il a ete. De la seconde plonge La mer a traverse. Quand il fut sur ces cotes, II se mit a chanter : — Que Dieubeniss' les filles Surtout cell' du geolier. Si je retourne a Nantes, Oui, je I'epouserai, Gat, faiuron, falureitCy Oui, je I'epouserai, Gai, faluro7i^ donde. DANS LHS J'lilSOyS DE NANTES. " Since death is now so near me Undo these bonds, I pray." She, strong in youtli's sweet pity, Broke all his bonds away. lie, brave in youth's bold daring. Leaped far into the bay. His first wild plunge has borne him Deep 'neath the waters grey. The second bears him safe across The wild sea's dashing spray. In safety now he boldly stands And carols forth this lay : — " God bless all maidens fair, but most, The jailor's daughter gay ; And should I e'er return to Nantes I'll wed her, yea or nay, Gai,faiitron, fahirette, I'll wed her, yea or nay." Gai^ fa/uron, donde. 39 i:.;^:^ I ; M CECILIA. ox per' n'avait fille que moi Encor sur la mer il m'envoie. Sautez, mignonne Cecilia^ Ah ! ah, Cecilia, Encor sur la mer il m'envoie. Le marinier qui m'y menait— Le marinier qui m'y menait, II devint amoureux de moi. II devint amoureux de moi. — Ma mignonnette, cmbrassez-moi. Ma mignonnette, embrassez-moi. — Nenni, Monsieur, je n'oserais. Nenni, Monsieur, je n'oserais, Car si mon papa le savait. 40 CECILIA. A LTHOUGH my Other's only c liild, He sent me o'er the ocean wild. Sautez tnignonne Cecilia, Ah ! a/i, Cecilia ! Over the seas and far away Borne by a sailor bold and gay. Borne by a sailor bold and gay, Who fell in love with me each day. He fell in love with me each day : '•Ah, Sweet ! one little kiss I i)ray.' *' One little kiss for all my care. "Alas ! alas ! I'd never dare." >> *"For if I did," she whispered low, *' My cruel father 'd surely know." 41 I lA 'tf..f|.|-.,p.v, p. ,.■,». 42 OA/) f'ASADIAN SONn.^. Car si mon papa le savait, Fille battue ce serait iiioi. I"'ille battue ce serait moi. — Voulez-vous beir qui lui dirait ? Voulez-vous bcir (pii lui dirait? — Ce serait les oiseaux dcs bois. Ce serait les oiseaux des bois. — I.es oiseaux des bois parlent-ils ? Les oiseaux des bois parlent-ils ? — lis parl'nt frangais, latin aussi. lis parl'nt frangais, latin aussi. — Helas I que le monde est malin : i Helas ! que le monde est malin D'apprendre aux oiseaux le latin ! ' Sautez, mi^fionne Cecilia, Ah ! ah, Cecilia. CECILIA. ** And should he know your love for me, A sorely punished maid I'd be." 43 " Now, foolish maid, we're far away, How could your father know, I pray?" *' How could my father know, you say? He'd hear it from the wood doves grey." " But even though the doves might sing, He'd never know the tale they bring." " He would not understand, think you ? They speak good French— and Latin too. >> " Now may his evil neck be wrung Who taught the doves the Latin tongue ! " Sauiez mignonne Cecilia, Ah ! ah, Cecilia ! C ETA IT UNE PRE GATE, C^'etait line fregate, . ■»■ 52 OLD CA NA DIA N SOyOS. Eir n'est pas plus belle que toi, Mais elle est plus savante: Ell' fait neiger, ell' fait gr^ler, Eir fait le vent qui vente. Eir fait neiger, ell' fait greler, Eir fait le vent qui vente ; Eir fait reluirc le soleil A minuit dans sa chambre. Eir fait reluire le soleil A minuit dans sa chambre ; Eir fait pousser le romarin Sur le bord de la Manche. Sur lafeuille von... don don don, Sur la joli\ joW feuille roude. ENTRE PARIS ET SAINT-DENIS. *' Her beauty is not like to yours But secret lore she knows, She makes the snow, she makes the hail, She makes the wind that blows. " She makes the wind that blows so free, She makes the snow so fine, At midnight hour, within her bower, She makes the sun to shine. '• She makes the sun to shine again At midnight in her bower. And on the borders of the sea Makes rosemary to flower." Si^r lafeuille rofi,., don don don, Sur lajoli\joli'feuUle ronde. 53 MARIANSON. — Marianson, dame jolie, Oii est alle votre mari ? — Mon mari est alle-z-en guerre, Ah ! je ne sais s'il reviendra. — Marianson, dame jolie, Pr8tez-moi vos anneaux dores. — II sent dans Tcoffre, aii pied du lit ; Ah ! prends les clefs et va les qii'ri'. — Bel orf^vrier, bel orfevrier, Faites-moi des anneaux dor^s. Qu'ils soyent faits aussi parfaits Comm' les ceux' de Marianson. 54 MARIANSON. '' Ah, Marianson, my beauteou.s dame, Where is your lord and master gone ? " " My lord rides to the battle-plain, I know not if he'll come again." **Ah, Marianson, my lady fiiir. Lend me your rings of gold so rare." *' In the iron chest beside my bed. You'll find the rings," she sweetly said. *' Now, Goldsmith, fashion me with care Three golden rings of metal rare. Three golden rings of fashion rare, Like those that Marianson doth wear." 55 (/' 56 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. Quand il a eii ses trois anneaux, Sur son cheval est embarquc. Le premier qu'il a rencontre, C'etait I'mari d'Marianson. — Ah I bonjour done, franc cavalier ! Queir noLiveir m'as-tu apportee? Ah 1 des noiivell's je n'en ai pas, Que les ceux de Marianson. — Marianson, dame jolie, Eir m'a ete fidele assez. — Oui, je le crois, je le decrois : Voila les anneaux de ses doits. — Tu as menti ! franc cavalier : Ma femme m'est fidele assez. Sa femm' qu'etait sur les remparts, Et qui le voit venir la-bas : H , I MAia.iysox When he receives his golden rings Upon his steed he hghtly springs. Tiie first he meets upon the road Is Marianson's haughty lord. " Fair greeting now, hold cavalier, ^\'hat tidings do you bring me here?" "Of tidings new I l)ring you none, Save of the Lady Marianson." "Ah, Marianson, my !ady fair ! She's faithful aye, I'll boldly swear." " 1 -say not 'yes,'— I say not ' no,' But see— the rings from her hands of s snow. " You He I you lie : bold cavalier : My wife is faithful, far or near." His wife stood on the ramparts high She saw her lord ride wildly by. 57 J S8 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. — II est malade on bien fache, C'est line chos' bien assuree. Ah ! maman, montre-lui son fils : i^[\ lui rejouira I'esprit. — Ah ! tiens, mon fils, voila ton fils. Quel nom donn'ras-tu a ton fils ? — A I'enfant je donn'rai un nom, A la mere, im mauvais renom. A pris I'enfant par le maillot, Trois fois par terre il I'a jete. 4 jMarianson, par Its cheveux, A son clieval Ta-t-attachee. ! i II a marche trois jours, trois nuits. Sans regarder derrici' lui. Au bout des trois jours et trois nuits, A regarde par derrier' lui. MART ANSON. Her heart stood still with a sudden fear When she marked his face as he drew anear. " Now, mother, show our new-born child, Its grace will calm his anger wild.'' '' My son, behold your son and heir : What name wilt thou give the babe to bear?' He cried, '' I'll give the child a name That will fill its mother's life with shame." He has seized the infant in its mirth, And thrice has dashed it to the earth. 59 And Marianson, that lady fair. He has tied to his horse by her golden hair. Three days, three nights, he rode like wind, And never cast a look behind. Till, at close of the third long night, He turned and looked on that awful sight. 6o OLD CANADIAN SONGS. — Marianson, dame jolie, Oil sont les anneaux de tes doigts ? — lis sont dans Tcoffre, au pied du lit , Ah ! prends les clefs et va les qu'ri. II n'eut pas fait trois tours de clef, Les trois anneaux d'or a trouves. — Marianson, dame jolie, Quel bon chirurgien vous faut-il ? — Le bon chirurgien qu'il me faut, C'est un bon drap pour m'ensev'lir. — Marianson, dame jolie, Votre mort m'est-elle pardonnee ? — Oui, ma mort vous est pardonnee, Non pas la cell' du nouveau-n^... MARIANSON. " Ah, Marianson, my lady fair, Where are your golden rings so rare ? " '' In the iron chest, beside my bed, You'll find the rings," she sadly said. He has ta'en the keys with an evil grace, And has found the rings in their hiding place. " Ah, Marianson, my lady fair. You shall have the best chirurgeon's care." 6t " The best chirurgeon I would crave Is a fine white sheet for my quiet grave. >) "Ah, Marianson, my beauteous dame, Will God e'er pardon all my shame? ' " My death is pardoned now," she smiled, " But never that of our helpless child." I I 8 I JAMAIS JE NOURRIRAI DE GEAI. IE bien nourri le geai sept ans Dedans ma cage ronde ; Au bout de la septi^me ann^e, Mon geai a pris son vol. O, gai ! Jamais je nourrirai de geai, De geai jamais je nourrirai. Au bout de la septieme annee Mon geai a pris son vol. — Reviens mon geai, mon joli geai, Dedans ma cage ronde. Reviens mon geai, mon joli geai, Dedans ma cage ronde ; Mon petit geai me fit reponse : — Je veux faire le drole. 62 JAMAIS J E NOURRIRAI DE GEAI. I kept my jay for seven years In my round cage so bright, And at the end of seven years, My sweet jay took his tiight, (9, gai ! I'll never keep a jay again, Ah ! never more I'll keep a jay. And at the end of seven years My jay his flight has ta'en : " Come back my jay, my pretty jay, Come to your cage again. Come back my jay, my pretty jay Come back once more to me," To which my saucy jay replied, " I'll play the madcap free." 6.^ 64 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. Mon petit geai me fit reponse : — Je veux faire le drole. Je m'en irai dedans Paris Pour fonder \ine ecole. Je m'en irai dedans Paris Pour fonder une 6cole . Toutes les dames de Paris Viendront a mon ecole. Toutes les dames de Paris Viendront a mon ecole. Je choisirai la plus jolie Je renverrai les autr's. O, gai! Jamais je nourrirai de geai, De geai Jamais je nourrirai. JAMAIS JE NOURRIRAI DE QEAl. ** I'll play the madcap free for once, For once I'll play the fool — To Paris fair I'll straight repair And there will found a school. *' To Paris fair I'll straight repair And there a school will found, To wt'ch all ladies fair will come From all the city round. «s " Oh ! all the ladies fair will come Unto my school so gay : I'll choose the fairest of them all, And send the rest away." 0,gai ! 1 7/ ;in'€?' keep a jay again, Ah ! uever more ru keep a 'ay. ill J'AI PERDU MONAMANT\ •« LUI. x'ai perdu mon amant' I Et je m'en souci' guere ; Le regret que j'en ai Sera bientot passe. Je porterai le deuil D'un habit de satin ; Je verserai des larmes De vin. ELLE. Amant, que j't'ai done fait Que puiss' tant te deplaire ? Est-c' que j't'ai pas aime Comm' tu I'as merite ? Je t'ai aime, je t'aime, Je t'aimerai toujours. Pour toi mon cceur soupire Toujours. 66 /'AT PERDU MON A MA NT \ I've lost my Love, in sooth, For that my care is h'ght ; What small despite I feel Will soon have vanished quite. For mourning I will wear A suit of satin fine, My only tears shall be Of wine. SHE. What have I done, my Love, That thus displeases thee ? Have I not loved thee. Dear, As thou had'st right to be ? I've loved thee ; love thee now ; I'll love thee. Dear, for aye. For thee my heart shall beat Alway. 67 ^8 OLD CANADIAN SONOS. ELLE. La maison de chez nous C'est un lieu solitaire ; On n'y voit pas souvent Divertir nos amants. Pour des amants qu'on aime,. Qu'on aim' si tendrement, On aimerait les voire Souvent. LUI. Si j'^tais hirondelle, Vers toi, bell' demoiselle, Par derrier' ces rochers J'irais prendr' ma volee. Et dans ton sein, ma belle, J'irais me reposer, Pour raconter la peine Que j'ai. .PAI PERDU MON AMANT\ SHE. At home, the house is now A soHtary place, Where one but seldom sees The light of lover's face. And those we love so well, With all love's tender pain, We love to dream we'll see Again. 69 HE. Were I a swallow swift, Towards thee, my heart's delight, O'er all these rocky wilds I'd quickly wing my flight. There safe from all the storm, Soft nestling in thy breast, I'd tell thee all my pain. At rest. nOU VIENS-TU, BERG ERE 9 — D'oCi viens-tu, bergdre, D'oii viens-tu ? — Je viens de I'etable, De m'y promener ; T'ai vu un miracle Ce soir arrive. — Qu'as-tu vu, bergdre, Qu'as-tu vu ? — J'ai vu dans la creche Un petit enfant Sur la paille fraiche ( Mis bien tendrement. — Rien de plus, berg^re, Rien de plus ? — Saint' Marie, sa mere, Qui lui fait boir' du lait, Saint Joseph, son pere, Qui tremble du froid. 70 D'OU VIENS-TU, BERGEREl " Whence art thou, my maiden, Whence art thou ? " " I come from the stable Where this very night, I, a shepherd maiden, Saw a wondrous sight." " What saw'st thou, my maiden, What saw'st thou ? " *' There within the manger A little babe I saw, Lying softly sleeping On the golden straw." " Nothing more, my maiden. Nothing more? " " I saw the Holy Mother The little baby hold. And the father, Joseph, A tremble with the cold." 71 7a OLD CANADIAN SONGS, -Rien de plus, bergere, Rien de plus ? -Ya le bccuf et I'ane, Qui sont par devant, Avec leur haleine Rechauffe nt I'enfant. -Rien dc plus, bergere, Rien de plus ? -Ya trois petits anges D'.ijcendus du ciel Chantant les louanges Du Pere eternel. \i\- DOU VIENS-TU, DEliGEHE* " Nothing more, my maiden, Nothing more ? " " I saw the ass and oxen Kneehng meek and mild, With their gen Je breathing ^A'arm the Holy Child." 73 " Nothing more, my maiden, Nothing more?" " There were three bright angels Come down from the :>ky Singing forth sweet praises To the Father high." t'i kwKiriiimm^iliM I^*» A LA CLAIRE FONTAINE. This charming love story, with its attractive air, rightly heads our Canadian songs. It apparently enjoyed as great a popularity in France as here, for Dr. Larue cites no less than five variations of the words. Its origin is unknown, but it is sung in Normandy, Brittany and Franche-Comte. " A few years ago," Dr. Larue says, "our Claire Fontaine^ with its own Canadian air, was rendei'dl in one of the principal theatres of Paris and obtained an immense suc- cess." MALBROUCK. In " Malbrouck" we have the song as it was sung in the time of Le Grand Monarque, with the English general and his army lighting brilliantly and swearing terribly in Flanders, while the people in Paris lilted his funeral elegy to the gay refrain of Mironton^ juirofitaine. Dr. Larue traces it back to a similar burlesque elegy on the Duke of Guise, while Father Prout, in his Relitjues, gives the popular tradition that it was composed by Mme. i I' I I 78 OLD CANADIAN SONGS. de Sevigne as a cradle song for the Dauphin. Dumersan and Segur, in a note quoted in John Oxenford's *' French Songs," think that the words were probably brought back by the soldiers of Villars and Boufflers after Malplaijuet. At all events verses against Marlborough were in existence in France in 1706. The poi)ularity of the old air, with the refrain oi Af iron- ton, niirontdine, is evinced by its survival among all Eng- lish-speaking people wedded to the after-dinner sentiment of " He's a jolly good fellow." It was a great favourite with Napoleon, and many a time it was hummed by him when mounting for battle. The Count de Las Cases, in the Memorial de Sahite Helene p. 821, tells the following : — The Emperor, a few weeks before his death, in speaking of this song to the Count, remarked, *' ' What a thing ridicule is : it bedims everything, even victory.' And he laughcl himself as he hummed over the first couplet." Of its popularity with military men, we Canadians have a later example in General Strange's reply to the 65th, a French-Canadian regiment, during the recent North-A\'est rebellion. One morning, after weeks of tedious and toilsome marching, just as the men were about to fall in, the General overheard the remark — " Ah ! when will we NOTES. 79 his :ed, jven the we -ply pent iuus Ifall we go home," "Ah, mesgargons," laughed the Geneia), " Malbrouck s'en va-t-en guerre, Mais quand reviendra-t-il ?" and with their characteristic light-heartedness the men caught up the famous old air and the march was resumed without a murmur. At least five different airs are sung in Canada, and in one the curious refrain " Spirit iwi sanctum tiium'' is substituted for Mironton, mirontaine ; while the most popular version has the chorus, Coiirez, courez, courez, Mes petit' s fiiies, jcuns ct genii lies ^ Courez^ cou7-ez, courez^ Venez ce soir vous amuser. LE POMMIER DOUX, The air of Le pomniier doux is familiar to French and English alike, and with its modern words and title of Vive la Canadienne has been very generally acce])te(l as our national air. It is sung in Franche-Comte, but to an air different from ours, and lacking the verse Lcs feuillcs en sont vertes, which is so decided an addition to our Canadian song. illl 80 OLD CANADIAN SO^OS. EN ROULANT MA BOULE, This is sung in the Departments of the West with a number of different refrains, some of which are quoted in Gagnon. As a popular song in Canada it ranks next to La claire fontaine. GAI LE ROSIER Is sung in Saintonge and Bas-Pitou. BRIGADIER. This, of course, is not a Canadian song at all, and has no claims to antiquity, but any collection would be sadly imperfect if our friend Pandore with his reassuring response were omitted. It is extremely ditficult to render the current of burlesque sentiment which runs through the original, so fine indeed, that it is almost invariably overlooked by those who know the song familiarly ; the magnificent swing of the music is probably the cause of its being so frequently rendered ati seriaix. NOTES. 8i with a loted in next to id has no be sadly response burlesque Bie indeed, B\vho know ; music is ndered au DANS LES PRISONS DE NANTES. M. Clagnon says that this charming ballad has disappeared entirely in France. CECILIA Is sung in Champagne, and Dr. Larue states that the air, as given in Champtieury, is exactly the sameas^that sung in Canada. CETAIT UNE FREGATE. This is a variation of Isabeau sy protnene, 'and was dis- covered by M. Gagnon : Isabeau is sung in Champagne. ENTRE PARIS ET ST. DENIS. The story in this song is the best evidence of its age. In the translation the word Nantes has been accented (Nan-tes) to give it an equivalent value in English. MARIANSON Here we have the middle ages, with all their brutality and crime, unrelieved by any glamour of chivalry or ro- 82 OLD CANAIH AN SONGS. mance;. The ballad seems to have been preserved in its original entirely ; at least the dreadful tale of treason and murder is told with dramatic completeness in the rude and irregular couplets, which are in themselves a proof of its age. It will be noticed that there is no burden or refrain. JAMAIS JE NOURRIRAI DE GEAL The origin of this song was apparently unknown to M. Ciagnon, and ])erhaps, as Dr. I>arue suggests in the case of La (lane font aine, it was not made at all, — it simply grew. fAI PERJJU MON AMANT\ Among the popular songs preserved here it is a surprise to come across so great a contrast to their general tone and feeling as this familiar lover's quarrel, which has come down to us as bright as the summer's day on which it hap- pened so long ago. And yet a popular song it undoubtedly is and may be found in all collections with slight variations of the words, the best evidence, however, being that M. Gagnon discovered it in the County of Maskinonge. j\()TB!S. 83 in its 1 and ie and of its m to M. ; case of ly gve^v. B'Oa 17ENS'TU, BURGER El A more simple and perfect example of the old nocl than this, would be difficult to find. The melody has the same simplicity as the words and is well worth preservation as a Christmas hymn. Michelet's remark, rjuoted by M. Gagnon, well illustrates the origin of the noH : — *' In those days, a marvellous dramatic talent, frequently stamped with a childisli simplicity but full of boldness and kindliness, existed in the Church... At times she made her- self little ; she, the great, the learned, the eternal, babbled with her children and translated the ineffable for them into a language they could understand." surprise [eral tone Las come [h it bap- ioubtedly |variations that M.