Tag Archives: 1948–1980

04/2/25

Québec Love (1969)

Paranoid, complains and fartsParanoïaque, rouspète pis pèteAnd fart of hash, that is rubbishPis pet de hasch, ça, c'est d'la mardeChalice pis pet don't smokeDes Calisse pis pet fume pasWell, I don't care, smoke or don't smokePis moé, j'm'en crisse, fume ou fume pasIt's the same problem, me, I don't have oneC'est l'même problème, moé, j'en ai pasDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu ça
To me it's crystal clearPour moi, c'est clair comme de l'eau d'rocheRocher Percé, do you rememberRocher Percé, t'en souviens-tuIt's still there and it doesn't moveY est toujours là pis y bouge pasThere's only one eye, but it's looking at youY a rien qu'un oeil, mais y te r'gardeThat's me, you, you don't see meÇa, c'est moé, toé, tu m'vois pasDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu ça
It's like your shadow, you look, thinking it's youC'est comme ton ombre, tu regardes, pensant qu'c'est toéBut it's not you, your shadow follows you, so don't follow itMais c'est pas toé, ton ombre te suit, suis-la donc pasIt's my toy, it's our toyC'est ma bébelle, c'est not' bébelleMoé, I'll take care of it, don't worryMoé, j'm'en occupe, occupe-toé pasDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu ça
It's sunny even if it rainsY fait soleil même si ça pleutEven if it blows, even if it thundersMême si ça pète, même si ça tonneThat doesn't surprise me, me, I have peaceÇa m'étonne pas, moé, j'ai la paixYou, you don't have it, but it will comeToé, tu l'as pas, mais ça viendraMoé, I feel myself coming and I'm going to come backMoé, j'me sens v'nir pis j'vas rev'nirDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu çaI'm cleared, not defrockedJ'suis défriché, pas défroquéBesides my hair, I have my headEn d's'our de mes ch'veux, j'ai ma têteA Quebec love, that’s my bagUn Québec love, ça, c'est mon bagWe have to do something, let's go, it's urgentFaut faire quelqu'chose, aweille, ça presseDon't give up man, it'll be your partyLâche pas bonhomme, ça sera ta fêteDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu çaAnd the States, it's nobody'sPis les États, c'est à personneIt belongs to Babel, it's not our toyC'est à Babel, c'pas not' bébelleLet them fight for it as for me I don't give a damn (I don't give a damn)Qu'ils se l'arrachent pis moé, j'm'en sacre (j'm'en sacre)I have my ark, Noah's arkMoi, j'ai mon arche, arche de NoéMerry Christmas Tremblay, that’s oursJoyeux Noël Tremblay (?), ça, c't à nous autresDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu çaThere's no more Christ, there's no more ChristmasY en a pu d'Christ, y a pu d'ChristmasLet them fight for it, their Santa ClausQu'ils se l'arrachent, leur Santa ClausFrom Simpson and from EatonDe chez Simpson pis d'chez EatonMoé, I'm happy with Dupuis FrèresMoé, j'me contente de Dupuis FrèresMoé, I'm happy with Omer DesserresMoé, j'me contente d'Omer DesserresDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu çaPacific Plant crunch the EnglishPacifique Plante crounche les AnglaisPeacefully, if possiblePacifiquement, si c'est possibleIf it is possible peacefullySi c'est possible pacifiquementIf it's not, give me a gunSi ça l'est pas, donne-moé un gunGive me a gun, me I'll take care of itDonne-moé un gun, moé, j'm'en occupeDo you understand that, do you understand thatComprends-tu ça, comprends-tu ça 

Author: Robert Charlebois
Lyrics source: Musixmatch
Edited lyrics: Ève Poudrier
04/2/25

Le renard, le loup (1977)

Dans un sentier près de chez nous
On a trail near my home
Vivait le r'nard vivait le loup
Lived the fox, lived the wolf
Ah! Y s’engueulaient comme les enfers
Ah! They fought like hell
Vivait le r'nard vivait le loup (bis)
Lived the fox, lived the wolf (bis)

J'les ai vus près du ruisseau
I saw them near the brook
J’arrivai entre chiens et loups
I got there at dusk
Le r'nard 'tait roux comme Louis St-Pierre
The fox was red as Louis St-Pierre
Le loup 'tait noir comme les loups
The wolf was black as wolves are
Fier de l'hiver fier d'être un loup
Proud of the winter proud to be a wolf

Moi j'ai voulu les arrêter
Me, I wanted to stop them
Comme jamais j'me suis mis à crier
I started to scream as I never had before
Avant qu’y en aille un qui s’fasse mordre la gorge
Before one be bitten at the throat
Avant qu'y en aille un qui s’fasse étrangler (bis)
Before one be strangled

J'leur ai tendu le plus beau piège
I set the most beautiful trap for them
Qu'un homme ait jamais place
That a man had ever set
J'leur ai tendu ma main pleine de neige
I reached out to them with my hand full of snow
Ils l’ont sentie ils l'ont aimée (bis)
They smelled it they liked it (bis)

Le r'nard monta sur mes épaules
The fox climbed up on my shoulders
Le loup y s'est mis à chanter
The wolf he started to sing
Y nous a trouvés tellement drôles
He found us so funny
Sur notre sentier y s'est mis à marcher
On our trail he started to walk
Vive l'amour vive l'amitié
Celebrate love celebrate friendship

Author: Paul Piché
French lyrics source: Genius.com
Translation to English: Ève Poudrier
04/2/25

La gigue à Mitchouano (1977)

St-Scholastique ou parc Forillon
Fallait partir de bon matin
Pour les touristes ou leurs avions
On est toujours dans l’chemin
Les gens ont perdu leurs maisons
Leurs terre et pis leur pays
Tout ce que j’ai pu faire
C’t’une p’tite chanson
Qu’ira pas plus loin qu’ici
Dans l’nord y a un moulin
Qu’y a empoisonné tous les indiens
Apparemment ça répondait
Vraiment à un besoin
Pis on leur d’mande après ça
De r’garder le bon côté d’la vie
De pu chasser de pu pêcher
D’arrêter d’faire des p’tits
Y aurait ni tête, ni pieds
Pourrait pas travailler
Dans l’pâte et papier
Va-tu falloir attendre qu’y’aille
Démolir toutes nos maisons
Attendre d’être empilés dans des bâtisses
Faites en carton
Vas-tu falloir attendre
D’être rendu fous, d’être affamés
Attendre d’avoir la corde au cou
Les mains ben attachées
Mais on a pas assez eu d’misère
Y nous faudrait l’enfer
Avant d’se révolter, avant d’s’organiser
Pis les étudiants, objectivement
S’inquiètent pour passer le temps
Y gardent la connaissance entre eux
Comme le riche son argent
Ou ben on signe rien qu’une pétition
Mais c’est pas ben ben risqué
Y a pas d’danger qui voyent ton nom
Sur des feuilles tout fripées
C’est l’à qu’on s’cache la face
Pour faire nos grimaces
Sur des bouts d’papier
On s’est r’gardé à bout portant
L’nombril au premier plan
On sait qu’on est du monde peureux
Avec un bel accent
Mais va-tu falloir attendre
Qu’y viennent nous chercher
Comme des boeufs
Quand on sera rendu rien qu’d’la viande
On sera pas moins nerveux
Mais on a pas assez eu d’misère
Y nous faudrait l’enfer
Avant de se révolter, avant d’s’organiser

Author: Paul Piché

Lyrics source: Genius.com

03/19/25

La maudite machine (1972)

J′ai vu à matin
Un vieux robineux
M’a tendu la main
Pour une cenne ou deux
C′pas drôle dans la rue
Quand il faut dormir
Dans les fonds d’ruelles
Ca peut pas être pire
Rien dans l’fond d′l′écuelle
Peux-tu t’en sortir?
Si tous les pognés
Dans leur p′tite misère
Se disaient: “Calvaire!
Y est temps d’arrêter”
Ca irait p′t’être mieux
Un coup d′pied dans l’cul
Ça peut réveiller
Quand personne sait pus
Pourquoi travailler
C’est donc toujours plate
J′ai l′goût de m’en aller quelqu′part
J’voudrais sacrer l′camp
Plus ça va, plus ça devient mort
C’tait plus beau avant
J′aimerais ça être bien chez moi
Sans qu’on m’mange le dos
Laisse-moi donc tranquille a soir
Brailler comme il faut
T′as perdu ta job
Tu sais pus où t′mettre
T’as pus l′air ben sobre
Trois tavernes de faites
Comment va ta vie?
Dépêche-toé bonhomme
Sors vite de ta crasse
Prouve donc que t’es un homme
Pis trouve-toi une place
T′as plus tellement de temps
Mais y’a rien à faire
Les patrons te veulent pus
Tu vaux pus ben cher
T′es tout nu dans la rue
T’es un gars fini!
La maudite machine
Qui t’a avalé
A marche en câline
Faudrait la casser
Faudrait la casser
J′ai l′goût de m’en aller quelqu′part
J’voudrais sacrer l′camp
Plus ça va, plus ça devient mort
C’tait plus beau avant
J′aimerais ça être bien chez moi
Sans qu’on m’mange le dos
Laisse-moi donc tranquille à soir
Brailler comme il faut.
Author: Pierre Flynn
Lyrics Source: MusixMatch
03/19/25

Le Labrador (1972)

Ouais, je dois retourner vers le nordL'un de mes frères m'y attendFaudrait tirer, traîner le tempsAvec mon frère qui est dingueQui pousse sur un traîneau géantLes exploiteurs se font pesants

Faudrait rapporter du soleilDe la chaleur pour les enfantsFlatter les chiens du vieux chasseurBoire avec lui un coup de blancTraîner du sud vers le nordNotre sud est encore tout blanc

Mon père parlait du LabradorDu vent qui dansait sur la merUn homme marchait sur la neigeCherchant des chiens pour un traîneauIl est rentré les yeux mouillésPuis un avion nous l'a ramené

Un millier d'hommes sur la neigeN'ont pas d'endroit pour retournerIls sont figés là, sans connaîtreEt n'ont que du sud à penser
Ouais, je dois retourner vers le nordChanter l'été du Labrador
Singer-Songwriter: Claude Dubois
Lyrics source: MusixMatch
03/19/25

Claude DuBois (1947-)

Claude DuBois 

[4] Claude André Dubois is a Canadian songwriter born on April 24, 1947. Known for his emotionally rich music, Dubois explores themes of longing, identity, and complexities of human ambition. [1] His journey in music began at just 12 years old when he joined the band Les Montagnards, starting off with an LP (vinyl record) release at 17, he was already entertaining audiences at Le Patriote in Montréal, and he made his solo debut the next year. His big break came in 1967 when he won the Renée-Claude trophy and showing his talent at Expo 67, really put him on the international stage. Over time, he changed his music from traditional chanson to being more rock-oriented, with standout hits like “Comme un million de gens”.

[1] In 1972, he was hired as a TV show host and established his own record label. After overcoming some personal challenges, including drug issues in 1981, he made a remarkable comeback in 1982 with the album Sortie Dubois, which brought him five Félix awards that same year. After recovering from a stroke, he released Duos Dubois in 2007, which earned him a place in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. His passion for performance remained strong as he delighted audiences at various festivals until 2013.

[2] Dubois’ songs dive into deep emotions, often focusing on themes like longing, identity, and the tension between material success and genuine fulfillment. Take “Le Blues du Businessman,” which comes from the musical Starmania for example. It paints a vivid picture of a wealthy businessman who seems to have it all—money, power, and success—but still feels an important sense of emptiness. The lyrics contrast his luxurious lifestyle (“Je voyage toujours en première,” “J’ai du succès dans mes affaires”) with his inner emptiness (“J’suis pas heureux mais j’en ai l’air, “J’ai perdu le sens de l’humour”). Despite his multiple achievements, he regrets not pursuing an artistic path where he could express himself freely and find true meaning in life. The repetition of “J’aurais voulu être un artiste” reinforces his yearning for creativity, self-expression, and an identity beyond his career. This song captures a recurring theme in Dubois’ work—an emotional exploration that challenges societal norms, revealing the gap between outward success and inner satisfaction. With its melancholic tone and striking lyrics, it offers a timeless commentary on the sacrifices often made in the pursuit of wealth and achievement.

[3] This theme of longing and inner conflict is not only present in “Le Blues du Businessman” but also appears in “Chasse-Galerie”, though in a different form. While the former explores personal dissatisfaction in the face of success, the latter tells a supernatural tale of desire and temptation. “Chasse-Galerie” is an engaging song inspired by a popular Québécois legend about a group of lumberjacks who make a deal with the devil to fly home in a magical canoe on New Year’s Eve. The song dives into themes of temptation and the ongoing struggle between good and evil. The lyrics create a vivid picture of the men’s isolation in the forest, where the devil takes advantage of their longing for home by offering them this enchanted escape. But it’s a risky pact—if anyone breaks the rules, they all face dire consequences. The tension rises as they successfully reach their village, but one man’s mistake seals their fate. Just when hope seems lost, a young member of the group manages to break the spell with a heartfelt prayer. Claude Dubois’ rendition of this tale brings a haunting quality that really emphasizes the perils of temptation. This song beautifully weaves together folklore and poetic storytelling, making it a unforgettable piece.

 

References

[2] Kerley, Melissa S. “Starmania and ‘Le Blues Du Businessman.’” Learn French in DC and Online, 7 May 2010, frenchindc.com/blog/starmania-and-le-blues-du-businessman/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

[1] Rioux, Christian, et al. “Claude Dubois.” Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, 3 Mar. 2013, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/claude-dubois-emc. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

[4] Wikipedia Contributors. “Claude Dubois.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Dubois. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

[3] Wikipedia Contributors. “Chasse-Galerie.” Wikipedia, 26 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasse-galerie. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Related Contents

Anon. “Claude Dubois.” Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, 28 Aug. 2018, www.cshf.ca/songwriter/claude-dubois/. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Sautter-Léger, Serena. “Melodies of a Lifetime with Claude Dubois – the Tribune.” The Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024, www.thetribune.ca/a-e/ae-music/melodies-of-a-lifetime-with-claude-dubois-09042024/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Suggested Sources

[3a lyrics] Anon. “Claude Dubois – Chasse Galerie.” Genius, 2021, genius.com/Claude-dubois-chasse-galerie-lyrics. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

[3c English] Anon. “Claude Dubois – La Chasse-Galerie (English Translation).” Lyricstranslate.com, 2024, lyricstranslate.com/en/claude-dubois-la-chasse-galerie-english. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

[2b video] FYO PIX. “Claude DuBois: Le Blues Du Businessman (Extrait de L’opéra-Rock STARMANIA (Live à Paris) 1999.” YouTube, 20 Oct. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq81bvTcDmA. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

[3b video] Papalouza. “Claude Dubois: Chasse-Galerie.” YouTube, 21 Nov. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI58RasCJTw. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

[2a lyrics] Sing With Them. “Claude Dubois | Le Blues Du Businessman.” YouTube, 27 Apr. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M6llRvR3bs. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

03/19/25

Heureux d’un printemps (1977)

Heureux d'un printemps qui me chauffe la couenne
Happy with a spring that warms my skin
Triste d'avoir manqué encore un hiver
Sad to have missed another winter
J'peux pas faire autrement, ça me fait de la peine
I can't do otherwise, it saddens me
On vit rien qu'au printemps; le printemps dure pas longtemps
We only live in spring; spring doesn't last long

[turlute]

Assis sur le bord de mon trou, j'me creuse la tête;
Sitting on the edge of my hole, I rack my brains;
J'pense au bonheur des gens, j'sais ben que ça va pas durer
I think about people's happiness, I know it won't last
Ça l'air que ça prend des sous pour faire la fête
It seems like it takes money to party
À qui appartient le beau temps l'hiver, l'été durant?
Who owns the good weather in winter, while it is summer?

[turlute]

L'été c'est tellement bon quand t'as la chance
Summer is so good when you have the chance
D'avoir assez d'argent pour voyager sans t'inquiéter
To have enough money to travel without worrying
Pour le fils d'un patron, c'est les vacances
For the boss's son it's vacation
Pour la fille du restaurant c'est les sueurs pis les clients
For the girl in the restaurant it's the sweats and the customers

[turlute]

On dit que l'hiver est blanc comme un nuage
They say that winter is white like a cloud
Mais ça évidemment, dans le chalet près du foyer
But that is obviously in the chalet near the fireplace
Dans l'fond c'est salissant au prix c'qui est l'chauffage
Basically it's dirty at the price at which heating is
Y a pas pire moment de l'année quand t'es prit pour d'endetter
There's no worse time of year when you're stuck in debt
[turlute]

Faut que je m'en retourne dans mon trou, creuser ma peine
I have to go back to my hole, dig out my pain
J'ai vu le surintendant, j'peux rien dire en attendant
I saw the superintendent, meanwhile I can't tell you anything
Le jour que ce sera nous qui feront la fête
The day when it will be us who will party
Imaginez le printemps quand l'hiver sera vraiment blanc
Imagine spring time when winter will be truly white

 

Singer-songwritter: Paul Piché

Lyrics source: Genius

Song type: Strophique (5×4)

Rhyming scheme: aabc, ddec, fgfc, hihi, jkjc

Metre: decameter and mixte

01/16/25

Suzie LeBlanc (1961–)

Introduction

Suzie LeBlanc is a soprano, a teacher, an actress, and a harpsichordist. She was born in Edmunston in 1961. She has an Acadian heritage (an ethnic group descended from the French who settled in North America) but grew up listening to and practicing classical music.

Early life and education

LeBlanc studied harpsichord, with singing as a second subject at CEGEP St-Laurent, Montreal. Later, she joined the women’s trio Musica Secreta on their tour of Western Canada. She moved to Europe to study voice a few years later and was eventually offered a singing part with The Consort Musicke. 

Career

LeBlanc specialized in baroque and classical repertoire. However, her career is also inextricably linked to her Acadian heritage. As a recording artist, she has contributed to numerous Acadian recordings. She has recorded many unpublished works, including Chants d’Acadie: Tout Passé, a collection of mainly Acadian songs. Her album La Mer Jolie, Chants d’Acadie celebrates the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the French settlers. 

As a performer, she has appeared in recitals with many leading early music ensembles and performers, performing pieces like L’Incoronazione di Poppea in L’Opera de Montreal and Grand Messe by Gilles Vigneault (a Quebec singer-songwriter) during Quebec City’s 400th anniversary year.

As a teacher, she has taught at the University of Montréal (2000-9), McGill University (2008-9), and the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal (2009). In 2005 she became the artistic director of Le Nouvel Opéra.

LeBlanc has been a great musician, she inherited her heritage and dedicated herself to Acadian music. 

 

Suggested Sources:

  • Ellis, Andrea , and Jennifer Gillis. “Suzie LeBlanc.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published March 10, 2013; Last Edited December 14, 2013.
01/16/25

La Bottine Souriante (1976–)

La Bottine souriante are a Québécois folk revival band, formed in 1976 by Yves Lambert and others in his home city of Joliette.[1] Since their founding during a peak period of Québec nationalism, they have become one of the most important disseminators of Québécois folk music, both within the province and internationally; many important Québécois folk musicians have at some time played with the group.[2]

Since their first album, Y’a ben du changement (1978), their music has been received with success: they recorded 14 studio albums with Lambert from 1976 to 2003, winning two Juno awards and eight Prix Félix during this time. La Bottine souriante continues to tour extensively around Europe and Canada,[3] and is especially popular in the USA.[1] They have also been politically active, and campaigned for “Yes” in the 1980 Québec referendum.

The personnel in the band have changed extensively since their founding; the current lineup consists of Eric Beaudry, David Boulanger, Robert Ellis, Jean Fréchette, Jean-François Gagnon-Branchaud, Mathieu Gagné, Jocelyn Lapointe, Olivier Salazar, Sandy Silva, Timi Turmel, and André Verreault, with Lambert having left in 2003. Founding members included Mario Forest, Lambert, André Marchand, Gilles Cantin, and Pierre Laporte, and many other musicians have been involved with the group both as core members and as guest artists. The instrumentation consists of common French-Canadian folk instruments (accordion, guitar, fiddle, harmonica, mandolin, jaw harp) as well as elements of Celtic and Irish music, brass instruments, and more recently jazz-inspired piano and bass.[4] The group has a long history with 16 studio albums and numerous guest appearances over their almost 50-year history. Some suggested listening has been included below.

Since much of their music is intended for dance, foot-tapping is featured prominently (e.g. the opening track Cette bouteille-là from Appellation d’origine contrôlée). This particular album also features percussive dancing by Sandy Silva as part of the music.[5] In this album, the title relates to an agricultural label (AOC) which designates local products produced in a particular region, perhaps to evoke an organic, agrarian aesthetic (though the instrumentals in this album contain a curious fusion of big band and funk not heard in their earlier output). The galloping rhythms are a commonality across much of their musical output across time, and can be also heard as early as in Y’a ben du changement. Alternation between songs and instrumental dance pieces also persists across albums, and many techniques (e.g. call and response) remain the same.

Suggested Sources:

  1. “La Bottine souriante.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 07, 2006; Last Edited December 15, 2013.
  2. Thérien, Robert. “La Bottine souriante.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published August 21, 2006; Last Edited December 16, 2013.
  3. Noakes, Taylor. “Yves Lambert.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published September 7, 2022; last edited September 7, 2022.
  4. Wikipedia Editors. “La Bottine souriante.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Bottine_Souriante
  5. Romero, Angel. “Foot Tapping Good.” Review of Appellation d’origine contrôlée by La Bottine souriante (Borealis, 2011). World Music Central. https://worldmusiccentral.org/2012/01/13/foot-tapping-good/

Suggested Listening:

Related Links: