MISC TRADITIONAL - "Un Canadien Errant" Tablature

_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)