03/11/26

Robert Charlebois

Robert Charlebois (1944-) is a singer-songwriter, actor, pianist, and guitarist from Montreal, Quebec. Balancing music and theatre from an early age, Charlebois was one of the most influential chansonniers to have performed both domestically and internationally, winning awards in countries such as Poland, Belgium, and France. He has continued to perform well into the 21st century, celebrating his 50th career anniversary in 2013 and presenting a large-scale rock concert in 2019.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Robert Charlebois simultaneously partook in early piano lessons for six years and acting at Montreal’s National Theatre School from 1962 to 1965. During this time period, the young Charlebois made his stage debut in September 1962, opening for Félix Leclerc at the Butte-à-Matthieu. Three years later, he was recognized by CBC as “the chansonnier discovery of the year” for his song La boulé that was composed when he was 16, winning the Grand Prix of the Festival du Disque. He continued to balance his musical and theatrical pursuits, performing for famous musical-comedy shows such as L’Osstidcho (1968-1969), one of the most famous shows of the 60s known for its creativity and innovation.

The late 1960s contained Charlebois’ most significant music years since they paved the way for his everlasting career. In 1967, he released his third album that contained famous hits (e.g. “C’est pour ça”, “Marie-Noel”, “Demain l’hiver”) and travelled to California for a three month trip where he was influence by America’s counter-rock culture. It was here where his music and its lyrics adopted a “urban poetic” style that came from popular language. The year 1969, however, commenced Charlebois’ touring phase, performing and winning awards in countries such as Belgium (Grand Prix at the Festival de la chanson française), France (Prix de la Ville de Paris, Gold Medal of the Olympiades de la chanson), and Poland. He also toured across Canada via a rail trip accompanied by other American rock scene figures. Despite his musical successes, he still continued his theatrical pursuits, acting in films such as Sombre Vacances (1975) and Un génie, deux associés, une cloche (1976).

Charlebois’ successes continued into the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. Surprisingly, his fame outside Quebec increased and rivaled the likes of Félix Leclerc, leading Charlebois to become one of, if not the most successful Quebecois figures that paved the way for other artists. He continued to tour in France and Quebec well into the late 80s, performing songs such as the 1983 Félix Award winning “J’t’aime comme un fou”.  In the 1990s, he partook in business pursuits, opening a microbrewery whilst continuing his musical activities. Transforming his style to combine a plethora of genres (rock, metal, ballad, latin), he continued to release albums that captivated the new generation. His album Doux sauvage (2001) was one such album that harnessed these aspects. The 21st century nonetheless was an extension of his triumphs in the prior decades, comprising years in which Charlebois was inducted into the National Order of Quebec (2008), Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2008), and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2010). His last album, Tout est bein (2010), contained a collection of original songs that harnessed many musical influences (folk, orchestral music, pop) and dived into themes of love, life, and the passage of time.

Robert Charlebois’ influence on the chansonnier tradition and general Quebec culture cannot be understated. Within his long career, he had managed to find success throughout the Western Hemisphere, disseminating his songs and influence onto other Francophone artists. Being one of the first chansonnier to bring elements of American and British pop into the Quebecois tradition, Charlebois pushed a musical agenda that sought to reconcile styles ranging from rock, jazz, to orchestral music. His application of the electric guitar in the chansonnier tradition and theatre in his tours further cemented his uniqueness as an artist. As stated by Benoît L’Herbier in the book La Chanson québécoise (1974): “He has become the epicentre — the nerve centre around which all the others gravitate.” 

Sources

  1. Rioux, Christian , and Carolyn Kotva. “Robert Charlebois.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 24, 2012; Last Edited December 16, 2013.
  2. Robert Charlebois Website. “Robert Charlebois.” Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.robertcharlebois.com.

Suggested Listenings

  1. “Ordinaire” https://youtu.be/zxQBL45O86U
  2. “C’est pour la” https://youtu.be/IO9UZRfqPxY
  3. “Doux sauvage” https://youtu.be/NHg2cdQD-BA

 

03/10/26

Loco Locass

Loco Locass is a Québecois hip-hop/rap band formed. There are three members in the band: Chafiik, Biz and Batlam. Known for their staunch Québec separatist ideals, some of their songs reflect their political beliefs, and their name has been an integral part of Québec nationalism and pride.

Loco Locass was founded in 1995 in Québec City by Biz and Batlam, as Loco Loquaces. A few years later, Chafiik joined the group and the band was renamed to what it is today. [1] Around that time, in the mid-1990s, rap music in Québec was almost entirely in English, and the members of Loco Locass sought to change that. In fact, the influence of rap in Québec nationalist music wasn’t particularly huge. Their album Manifestif (2000) incorporated Québec nationalism with a hip-hop/rap music approach. This album specifically put the trio on the Québec music scene, and Loco Locass’s political ideals gained wide attention among the Québecois. [2]

Their first albumManifestif (2000), was a success in Québec, causing a massive sensation. It won the Prix Félix-Leclerc a year later, allowing them to perform in France and reach an international audience. [1] Another of their albums, Amour Oral (2004), left an even deeper mark on Québec’s political and musical landscape. It addressed the concerns and dissatisfactions of Québec’s society and the people. This deeply resonated with the people of Québec as they can relate to the album and the meanings in the songs. In fact, the album became sort of an icon during the 2005 and 2012 Québec student protests, where students sang songs from the album to show their solidarity in fighting for their causes. Less than a year after Amour Oral’s release, it was certified gold and had sold over 60 000 copies. [3] This album won not just one award, but several, including the Félix de l’album de l’année for Hip-Hop and Songwriter of the Year. Although these albums released by Loco Locass were popular at the time, their musical popularity has waned in recent years. Concerning their political ideas, Batlam told Le Presse, “La parole indépendantiste ne fait pas plaisir à tout le monde et elle rappelle aussi de douloureux souvenirs. On dirait que parce que ça n’a pas réussi par la voie référendaire, ça nous renvoie à quelque chose qui nous fait honte.” (The pro-independence movement doesn’t please everyone, and it also brings back painful memories. It seems that since it didn’t succeed through the referendum, it reminds us of something we’re ashamed of.) (2024). [4]  

Besides playing together as a group, Loco Locass has also collaborated with other music groups. In 2005, they played some of their songs with the symphony orchestra of Camp musical St-Alexandre, composed of young musicians, and with the Consort contemporain de Québec. They also collaborated with the Montreal Canadiens in creating a new goal song in French called Le But (2009) and Hymne à Québec (2009). Before this, the Montreal Canadiens and their hockey games were only accompanied by English songs, and Loco Locass sought to change that, again highlighting their Québec sovereigntist beliefs. In 2007, Loco Locass were named Patriotes de l’année by the Société Saint-Jean Baptiste de Montréal for their long-serving efforts in defending and protecting Québec’s interests and nationalism. [3] Truly, through their uniqueness in hip-hop and rap, they were and still are the voice of the people.

Sources:

  1. [1] “Loco Locass.” Les FrancoFolies de Montréal. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.francofolies.com%2Fartistes%2Fartiste.aspx%3Fid%3D7393
  2. [2] “Les 25 ans de Manifestif, l’album-phare de Loco Locass.” Radio-Canada Ohdio. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/musique/emissions/leffetpogonat/segments/rattrapage/2212906/olivier-boisvert-magnen-souligne-25-ans-manifestif-loco-locass
  3. [3] “Loco Locass.” Audiogram. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.audiogram.com/artistes/loco-locass/
  4. [4]Amour oral ou les 20 ans d’un état de grâce.” La Presse. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique/2024-12-19/loco-locass/amour-oral-ou-les-20-ans-d-un-etat-de-grace.php

Listening:

  1. “Le But” (2009): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNE7IMOM854
  2. “Manifestif” (2000): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWBtDd3IJdo
  3. “La bataille des murailles” (2004): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS91xEt4tUM
03/5/26

Jean-Guy Léger (1977)

Y venait tout juste de rentrer
He had just returned
Les enfants jouaient
The children played
Pis y s'est mis à crier
And he started to scream
Sacré moé a paix
Leave me in peace
Où ben m'as toute vous coucher
Or I will put you all to bed

Mais j'ai vu Jean-Guy
But I saw Jean-Guy
J'y ai d'mandé
I asked him
Pourquoi tu cries
Why are you screaming
C'est-tu l'ouvrage qui t'enrage
Is it work that makes you enraged
Qu'est-ce qui t'ennuie
What is it that bothers you
Dans ton visage tu vieillis
In your face, you are aging

Paul j'te dirais
Paul, I would tell you
Mais t'es trop laid
But you are too ugly
Paul excuse-moé
Paul, forgive me
On pourrait peut-être s'en parler
Maybe, we could talk about it

Pis là y m'dit
And then he told me
À toutes les deux semaines
Every two weeks
Ça r'commence mon boss
It starts again, my boss
Qui m'paye comme un cadeau
Who pays me as if it was a gift
Comme une chance
Like a luck
Moé qui l'haïs
Me that hates him
Peureux poli j'l'r'mercie
Afraid, polite, I thank him

Mais y en a combien Jean-Guy
But how many are there, Jean-Guy
Qui s'laissent humilier
That allow to be humiliated
Qui savent qu'on abuse
Who know that they are abusing
Qu'on utilise leur courage
That they use their courage
On pourrait s'mettre ensemble
We could join together
On serait plus fort
We would be stronger
Pour s'défendre
To defend ourselves

J'ai peur d'la grève
I am afraid of a strike
J'pourrais pas la perdre
I could not lose it
Paul tu m'énerves
Paul, you are irritating me
Demain moé j'me lève
Tomorrow, me, I get up
J'm'excuse de m'être encore fâché
I apologize to have become mad again
Ça peut rien arranger
It cannot solve anything
Dans l'fond Paul
When it comes down to it, Paul
Ch't'avec toé
I'm with you
Mais faudrait aller plus loin
But we would need to go farther
Qu'la grève
Than a strike
Demain Paul on s'lève
Tomorrow, Paul, we get up

Music & Lyrics: Paul Piché

Lyrics Source: Genius.com

English Translation: Ève Poudrier

03/5/26

Y’a pas grand chose dans l’ciel à soir (1977)

Y a pas grand chose dans l'ciel à soir;
There isn't much in the sky tonight
Y a pas grand chose, y a rien à voire;
There isn'y much, there isn't anything to see
Y a rien à voire, y a pas de lumière;
There isn't anything to see, there is no light
Qu'est-ce que je vais faire dans le ciel à soir?
What am I going to do in the sky tonight?
J'veux pas rester sur mon trottoir
I don't want to stay on my sidewalk
J'veux aller danser, j'ai envie de crier
I want to go danse, I feel like screaming
Maudit que c'est dont la grosse misère
Damn, it is so much a pain
Quand j'suis pogné pour m'ennuier
When I am stuck to be bored
Mais c'est pas parce que j't'un mammifère
But it is not because I am a mammal
Pis que j'ai le sang chaud, même en hiver
And that I have warm blood, even in winter
Que j'ai pas besoin de calorifère
That I don't need central heating
Que j'ai pas besoin de m'amuser
That I don't need to have fun
Tout en fesant mon secondaire
While I am in high school
En passant le test pour m'orienter
When I did the orientation test
J'avais pas assez de vocabulaire;
I didn't have enough vocabulary;
On m'a dit que j'pouvais pas chanter
I was told that I could not sing
Faut-tu que j'devienne un militaire
Will I have to become a soldier
Un dromadaire, un marguiller
A one-humped camel, a churchwarden
Un missionnaire impopulaire
An unpopular missionary
Avec des médaille de l'année passée?
With medals from last year?
Pour passer le temps, qu'est-ce que tu veux faire?
To pass time, what do you want to do?
J'suis ben écoeuré de me masturber
I am sick to masturbate
J'pense que devenant humanitaire
I think that becoming humanitarian
Toutes mes problèmes vont s'arranger
All my problems will be fixed
Y a des problèmes partout sur la terre
There are problems all around the world
Y faut que je commence à m'en occuper
I must start to take care of these
Là je passe toutes sortes de questionnaires
Now I pass all kinds of questionnaires
Pour savoir qu'est-ce qu'un ouvrier
To know what a worker is
Mais si ça marche pas, j'boirai de la bière
But is that doesn't work, I will drink beer
J'boirai assez pour me saouler
I will drin enough to be drunk
J'jouerai au révolutionnaire
I will play  at [being] a revolutionary
Qui boit un peu pour se reposer
Who drinks a little to rest
Tout en fumant mes Belvédères[1]
While smoking my Belvédères
Pis en voyant le monde à l'envers
And in seeing the world upside down
M'a être malheureux de toutes manière
I will be miserable anyway
La bière me fait faire de l'urticaire[2]
Beer gives me urticaria

NOTES:

[1] A cigar brand

[2] a skin disease

Music & Lyrics: Paul Piché

Lyrics Source: Genius.com

English Translation: Ève Poudrier

03/5/26

Où sont-elles? (1977)

Ouindi ouindi ouindi ouindi
Ouin ouin, Les tiennes où sont-elles?
Un soir pressée d'aller veiller
An evening eager to go out
En cherchant ses dentelles
Looking for her laces
Pas razée pas maquillée
Not shaved wearing no makeup
M'as-tu sortir pareille
Am I going to go out anyway
Chu tannée d'faire la poupée
I am tired to be like a doll
J'arrache les ficelles
I tear the strings
Le premier gars qu'a rencontré
The first guy she meets
T'la r'garde entre les deux ailes[1]
He looks at her between her two wings
Ya rien trouvé pour l'exciter
He found nothing to excite him
C'pas mon genre de femelle[2]
It's not my type of female
Un peu pogné lui a soufflé
Awkward, he mumbles
T'as les boules[3] basses ma belle
Your balls are low, girl
Si mes boules sont basses
If my beasts are low
Mon pauvres gars
Poor guy
Mais les tiennes où sont-elles?
Where are yours?
NOTES:
[1] Figurative reference to shoulders or arms
[2] Pejorative way to refer to a woman
[3] Slang word for women's breasts

Words & Music: Paul Piché

Lyrics Source: Genius.com

English Translation: Ève Poudrier

03/5/26

Mon Joe (1977)

C’t’aujourd’hui l’jour de l’an
Gaie lon la mon joe ma lurette
C’t’aujourd’hui l’jour de l’an
Y faut changer d’maîtresse
Y faut changer d’maîtresse mon Joe
Y faut changer d’maîtresse
Échangera qui voudra
Mais moé je garde la mienne
Elle a de jolis yeux doux
Une bouche vermeille
Comme il serait doux
D’avoir un baiser d’elle
Mais encore bien plus doux
De dormir avec elle
Dans un grand lit blanc
Tout près d’une chandelle

Traditionel, arr. Paul Piché

Lyrics source: Genius.com

For an English translation, see: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/paul-piche-mon-joe-english

 

03/4/26

La bittt à tibi (1975)

Moi je viens de l'Abitibi
I come from AbitibiMoi je viens de la Bittt à Tibi
I come from Bittt at TibiMoi je viens d'un pays
I come from a countryQui est un arbre fort
That is a strong treeMoi je viens d'un pays
I come from a countryQui pousse dans le Nord
That grows in the NorthTam didelam tadlédidelidelam
Tam didelem tadlédidelidelam

Dans ce pays qui était comme un oeuf
In this country that was like an eggLe treize février mille neuf cent trente-neuf
February 13th, 1939Je suis né à Val d'Or en Abitibi
I was born in Val d'Or in AbitibiDans ce pays qui est encore touttt neuf
In this country that is still brand new

J'avions connu Harnest Turcotte
I'd known Harnest TurcotteQui vivait entre de beaux bois ronds
Who lived between beautiful round woodsQui parlait aux ârbres et aux taons
Who talked to trees and horsefliesQui chaque matin chaussait ses bottes
Who put on his boots every morningPour aller comme Ti-Jean Hébert
To go like Ti-Jean Hébert Fendre la forêt avec ses nerfs
To chop the forest with his nervesQui n'avait pas de chain saw
Who didn't have a chain sawQui avait hache et boxa
Who had an axe and boxersPis des bras durs comme la roche
Arms hard like a rockPis des cuisses comme des troncs d'arbre
Legs like tree trunksPis du front tout le tour de la tête
To be naivePis qui n'était pas si bête
Who wasn't so stupid
En mille neuf cent dix en Abitibi dans mon pays
In 1910 in Abitibi in my countryColonisé
ColonisedTam didelam tadlédidelidelam
Tam didelem tadlédidelidelam

Moi je viens de l'Abitibi
I come from AbitibiMoi je viens de la Bitt à Tibi
I come from Bitt at TibiMoi je viens d'un pays
I come from a countryQui a un ventre en or
That has a belly of goldMoi je viens d'un pays
I come from a countryOù c'que le poisson mord
Where the fish bites

Quand j'étions petit
When I was littleJ'allions jouer aux bois
I was playing in the woodsAvec les épinettes et les bouleaux
With spruce and birch treesJ'aimions gazouiller avec les oiseaux
I used to love chirping with the birdsQuand j'étions petit
When I was littleJe suivions le ruisseau
I was following the streamJe jouais de l'Harricana
I was playing the HarricanaSur la rivière Harmonica
On the Harmonica riverJe regardions passer les gros chars
I was watching the big chariots go bySur ma petite cenne qui venait en or
On my little penny that came in goldDans un banc de neige je creusais maison
In a snowbank I was digging a houseEt dans la glace j'écrivais ton nom
And in the ice I was writing your name

Et l'hiver à l'aréna
And winter at the arenaOn patinait touttt en tas
We were all skating togetherL'été près du lac Blouin
Summer near Blouin LakeOn faisions semblant de rien
We were pretending nothingOn ramassait des bleuets
We were picking blueberriesQu'on vendait pour presque rien
That we were selling for almost nothing

En mille neuf cent quelques
In 1900 and somethingEn Abitibi dans mon pays
In Abitibi in my countryColonisé
ColonisedTam didelam tadlédidelidelam
Tam didelam tadlédidelidelam

Moi je viens de l'Abitibi
I come from AbitibiMoi je viens de la Bittt à Tibi
I come from Bittt at TibiMoi je viens d'un pays qui a un ventre en or
I come from a country that has a belly of goldMoi je viens d'un pays où c'qui neige encore
I come from a country where it still snows 

Dans mon pays qu'on dit hors de la carte
In my country which they say is outside the map Mon oncle Edmond travaillait sous la terre
My uncle Edmond was working undergroundMais il creusait dans l'or sa propre mort
But he was digging his own grave in goldMon oncle Edmond nous a mis sur la carte
My uncle Edmond put us on the map

Dans mon pays qui a grandi
In my country that grewIl paraît qu'aux tous premiers temps
It was appearing that in the early daysOn y gagnait beaucoup d'argent
We were making a lot of moneyY a de l'or en barre qui dort icitt
There are goldbars that lie hereY a même des poignées de porte en or
There are even gold door handlesEn cuivre en fer qui vont de l'autre bord
In copper in iron that goes to the other side
J'aimions jouer dans la fanfare
I used to love playing in the marching bandPour épater toutes les pétards
To impress all the pretty girlsQuand j'allions au Château-Inn
When I was going to the Château-InnBoire et rire avec mes piastres
Drinking and laughing with my moneyJe revenions comptant les astres
I was coming back counting the starsAu petit matin près de la mine
At daybreak near the mine 

Tamdidelam tadlédidelidelam
Tamdidelam tadlédidelidelamTam didlididelidelam
Tam didlididelidelamEn mille neuf cent touttt
In 1900 and everythingEn Abitibi dans mon pays
In Abitibi in my countryColonisé à libérer
Colonised to be liberatedTamdidelam tadlédidelédelam
Tamdidelam tadlédidelédelam

Lyrics from Musixmatch
Lyrics and Music by Raôul Duguay
Translation by Galland Chan with the help of Linguee and WordReference in finding precise translations of certain words.

Song Performances:

Live performance, Parc Jarry, Montréal (Québec), 1978: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8p728qg96k

 

03/4/26

Georges Dor (1931-2001)

Georges Dor (1931-2001) was a singer-songwriter, playwright, author, director, and journalist from Drummondville, Quebec. Originally working with Radio-Canada as an announcer and producer, Dor joined the chansonniers tradition for several years before leaving the public music scene in favor of more intimate, recorded music. He continued to write essays, novels, and poems regarding the role of the French language in Quebec society before passing away in 2001.

Born in Drummondville, Quebec, Georges Dor was the youngest of eleven children in his family. There he worked in the city’s factory from 1948 to 1952 in addition to supporting the construction of the Bersimis Dam in the St. Lawrence river in 1953. During this time period, Dor also resided in Montréal for a year to study at the École du Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. From then on, he commenced a career in news, working for several radio stations in different Quebec cities as an announcer and editor; his most prominent role then was the director of news broadcasts at CBC Montréal from 1957 to 1967.

Whilst working primarily for news, this period also included Dor’s ventures into music and literature. Initially publishing short stories, plays, and collections of poetry, Dor, who was provoked by Gaston Miron to venture into the realm of songwriting, kickstarted his chansonnier career in 1966 with the release of his self-titled LP. This year proved fruitful for the young singer-songwriter who then brought his music on tour to festivals and boîte à chansons in Quebec and France from 1966 to ~1972. Having won awards such as the Prix Félix-Leclerc, his prestige as a singer-songwriter was immense, leading Dor to compose for numerous short films and documentaries produced by the National Film Board. However, after opening an art gallery with his wife in Longueil, Dor retired from the public music scene and opted to record his music. From then on, Dor pursued a literature path in which he published numerous of his own novels, short stories, plays, and poems. Most important were his polemical essays of the 1990s that confronted the role of the French language in Québec and argued for the usage of more colloquial slang and terminology rather than clear and intellectual language (e.g. Anna braillé ène shot (1996), Ta mé tu là (1997), Chu ben comme chu (2001)).

Released in his 1966 self-titled LP, “La Manic” is considered one of Georges Dor’s most famous songs. Like many of his songs, the narrative of La Manic places emphasis on the daily lives of workers and women in Quebec’s industrial and forest industries. Known for its simplistic yet soulful lyrics of love, “La Manic” was designated the most popular song of the last 50 years in 1972 by CKAC Radio, cementing itself as one of the most popular chansons from the chansonniers tradition.

Sources:

  1. “La Manic.” Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. https://www.cshf.ca/song/la-manic/.
  2. Morin, Claude. “Georges Dor.” Musée des Grands Québécois Website. Musée des Grands Québécois. Accessed March 1, 2026. https://www.mdgq.ca/10-georges-dor
  3. Rioux, Christian. “Georges Dor.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published July 26, 2007; Last Edited May 11, 2024.

Suggested Listenings

  1. La Manic: https://youtu.be/m0Ih5zRU1_k?list=RDm0Ih5zRU1_k
  2. Quebec Love, album: https://youtu.be/f6oil2t-CKQ?list=PLZHQH6pJBcF4SSt92pGXBFFuZlgtl_79h
  3. Confidence, a collection of poems by Georges Dor: https://youtu.be/0G2y0wWAjK8.

 

 

02/25/26

La Manic (1967)

Si tu savais comme on s’ennuie

If you knew how boring it was

À la Manic

At Manic

Tu m’écrirais bien plus souvent

You’d write way more often

À la Manicouagan

To the Manicouagan

 

Parfois je pense à toi si fort

Sometimes I think so hard about you

Je recrée ton âme et ton corps

That I recreate your soul and your body

Je te regarde et m’émerveille

I look at you and I am filled with wonder

Je me prolonge en toi

I throw myself into you

Comme le fleuve dans la mer

Just like the river into the sea

Et la fleur dans l’abeille

And the flower into the bee

 

Que deviennent quand j’suis pas là

What happened when I was not there

Mon bel amour

My beautiful lover

Ton front doux comme fine sole

your silken forehead

Et tes yeux de velours

And your velvet eyes become

Te tournes-tu vers la Côte-Nord

Do you turn towards the Côte-Nord

Pour voir un peu pour voir encore

To see a little to see some more

Ma main qui te fait signe d’attendre

My hand signalling you to wait

Soir et matin je tends les bras

At twilight and at dawn, I reach out

Je te rejoins où que tu sois

I meet you wherever you may be

Et je te garde

And I keep you

 

Dis-moi c’qui s’passe à Trois-Rivière

Tell me what’s going on in Trois-Rivières 

Et à Québec

and in Quebec

où la vie a tant à faire

Where there’s so much to do

Et tout c’qu’on fait avec

and everything we do with it

 

Dis-moi c’qui s’passe à Montréal

Tell me what’s going on in Montreal

Dans les rues sales et transversales

In the dirty side streets

Où tu es toujours la plus belle

Where you’re always the most beautiful one

Car la laideur ne t’atteint pas

Because ugliness can’t get to you

Toi que j’aimerai jusqu’au trépas

You, who I’ll love until I pass away

Mon éternelle

My eternal

 

Nous autres on fait les fanfarons

Us others we boast around

À coeur de jour

all day long

Mais on est tous des bons larrons

But we’re all good guys 

Cloués à leur amours

faithful to their loves

 

Y en a qui jouent de la guitare

Some play guitar

D’autres qui jouent d’l’accordéon

Others play accordion

Pour passer l’temps quand y est trop long

To pass time, when the time is long

Mais moi je joue de mes amours

But me, I play of my love

Et je danse en disant ton nom

And I dance, saying your name

Tellement je t’aime

Because I love you so much

 

Si tu savais comme on s’ennuie

If you knew how boring it was

À la Manic

At Manic

Tu m’écrirais bien plus souvent

You’d write way more often, 

À la Manicouagan

to the Manicouagan

 

Si t’as pas grand chose à me dire

If you don’t have much to tell me

Écris cent fois les mots “je t’aime”

Write the words ‘I love you’ a hundred times

Ça fera le plus beau des poèmes

It will be the most beautiful of poems

Je le lirai cent fois

I’ll read it a hundred times

Cent fois, cent fois c’est pas beaucoup

A hundred times, a hundred times are not a lot

Pour ceux qui s’aiment

For those who are in love

 

Si tu savais comme on s’ennuie

If you knew how boring it was

À la Manic

At Manic

Tu m’écrirais bien plus souvent

You’d write way more often

À la Manicouagan

To the Manicouagan

 

Author + Music : George Dor

Translation : Lyrictranslate (edited by Andy Huang)

02/24/26

Raôul Duguay (1939- )

Raôul Duguay (born February 13, 1939, in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Canada) is a Québécois poet, singer, songwriter, playwright, and cultural activist known for his vibrant personality, experimental art, and influential role in Quebec’s countercultural movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life and Education

Duguay studied at the Collège Sainte-Marie in Montreal and later at the Université de Montréal, where he became involved in literature and performance. During the 1960s, a period of intense cultural change in Quebec known as the Quiet Revolution (1960-1970), he emerged as a bold artistic voice advocating creativity, freedom, and Quebec identity.

L’Infonie and Counterculture

In 1967, Duguay co-founded the avant-garde artistic collective L’Infonie, which blended poetry, rock, theater, and multimedia experimentation. The group became a symbol of Quebec’s psychedelic and countercultural scene, producing eclectic performances that challenged artistic conventions.

Music and Poetry Career

As a solo artist, Duguay released numerous albums combining spoken word, chanson, and experimental sound. One of his most famous songs is La Bittt à Tibi (from the album Alllô Toulmond! released in 1975), a playful and rhythmic piece that became iconic in Quebec popular culture.

His work often explores themes such as:

  • Language and identity
  • Spirituality and cosmic consciousness
  • Love and peace
  • The power of sound and words

Duguay is known for his distinctive shaved head and flowing beard, as well as his charismatic stage presence.

Television and Public Life

In addition to music and poetry, Duguay has appeared frequently on Quebec television and radio. He has hosted programs, participated in cultural discussions, and remained an outspoken advocate for creativity, Quebec nationalism, and personal well-being.

Later Years and Legacy

Over the decades, Raôul Duguay has continued to write, perform, and lecture. He remains a respected figure in Quebec’s cultural landscape, recognized for helping redefine artistic expression during a transformative era in the province’s history.

He is widely regarded as one of the most original and enduring voices of Quebec’s artistic counterculture.

 

Suggested sources:

  1. Thériault, Louise, et Raôul Duguay. Raôul Duguay: L’arbre qui Cache la Forêt. Éditions du CRAM, 2017.
  2. Rochon, Pierre, and Christian Rioux. “Raöul Duguay.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published August 19, 2007; Last Edited December 16, 2013. Accessed on February 20, 2026. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/raoul-duguay-emc
  3. Duguay, Raôul. “La bittt à Tibi”. Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Accessed on February 20, 2026. https://www.cshf.ca/song/la-bittt-a-tibi/