Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Riviere

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Riviere
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 10:12 PM

The Register of Fort Duquesne kept by the Franciscan Recollect father
Pere Denys Baron was translated into English in 1885 by the Rev. Dr. A. A. Lambing. It is the actual register of internments and baptisisms for the French at la Belle Riviere from 1754 through 1756,
when Father Baron was recalled to Montreal by his superiors.

No other Register was kept from the exit of Pere Baron until the
abandonment and firing of Ft. Duquesne. The Register records
44 internments and 15 baptisisms. There are no marriages recorded.
A dozen female names are recorded in the Register.

This is fascinating information for people who re-enact the Seven
Years War (French and Indian War) because it proves beyond argument
that there WERE a number of women at Fort Duquesne. Frances
Langford, an Irish Catholic, and Barbara Conrad, a German Catholic
are listed as godmothers. The Sieur de Contrecoeur and the Sieur
du Dumas each officiated as a godfather.

I have no idea why someone thought this was a German folk song -
perhaps the tune has been recycled through many sets of lyrics.

If you remember anything at all, please keep in mind that Fort
Duquesne and Fort Pitt were two entirely separate structures.
La Belle Riviere was the phrase the French used the most often
for the Allegheny River/Ohio River system.

Barbara Bockrath, Auntie B in the (Pitts)burgh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Rivier
From: GUEST,Joe Offer
Date: 22 May 05 - 12:21 PM

I got a nice note of thanks from the requestor.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Rivier
From: GUEST,GUEST, cetmst
Date: 22 May 05 - 07:04 AM

Was the belle riviere the Allegheny, the Monongehela or the Ohio ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Rivier
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 22 May 05 - 01:15 AM

Gee, I missed that little link for the liner notes. My eyes too soon oldt.
I'm disappointed that it is not an old song, but apparently something composed by Robert Schmertz.

Subject: ADD: La Vierge de la Belle Riviere
From: GUEST,Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 05 - 11:53 PM

Kim, the lyrics are right at the link you provided, which has a link to the liner notes for the album.
-Joe Offer (e-mail sent)-

La Vierge de la Belle Riviere

Father Barron at Fort Duquesne
Strove for the Lord each day
A small log chapel he fashioned there
And chinked it with twigs and clay --
(While) over the altar he lifted there
He lifted Our Lady Beyond Compare
And she was "La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere."

Father Barron spoke ancient words
To Indians and Frenchmen too
And as they knelt in our Lord's own house
They prayed as all men should do.
(And) over the altar they saw her there
Our wonderful Lady Beyond Compare
And she was "La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere."


Father Barron at Fort Duquesne
Christened the first born child
And as he named her with Mary's name
I know that Our Lady smiled --
(And) over the altar stood smiling there
Our wonderful Lady Beyond Compare
And she was "La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere."

A certain church on a certain street
Isn't so very far
From the small log chapel where Frenchmen prayed
Under a western star
And over the altar you'll find her there
Our wonderful Lady Beyond Compare
And she was "La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere--"
"La Vierge de la Belle Riviere."

descant: Ave Maria, Regina Coeli

Notes: During the time that Fort Duquesne at the forks of the Ohio was in French hands, we find recorded that Father Denys Baron was probably the first Catholic priest in Western Pennsylvania. The first Mass was said in 1754.

According to Leland Baldwin's Pittsburgh, the Story of a City, the "Recollect priest, Father Denys Baron, was busy with the affairs of his parish, baptizing the children of the French families housed around the Fort, saying Mass in the little chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Beautiful River, listening to the confesssions of homesick soldiers..."

At the age of 19 months, Mary Jane Vermet was the first white child to be baptized in the chapel in 1755.

The site of the original chapel is unknown, but the chapel is commemorated by a plaque on St. Mary's Church at Stanwix Street and the Boulevard of the Allies in downtown Pittsburgh. The inscription reads:
This tablet commemorates the first Holy Mass at Fort Duquesne, celebrated April 16th, 1754, by Rev. Denys Baron, chaplain to the French Forces in occupancy. This Church of St. Mary derives from the chapel of that period called "La Chapelle de L'assomption de la Ste. Vierge a la Belle Riviere."
-Knights of Columbue, Anno Domini 1929-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Rivier
From: GUEST,Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 05 - 10:56 PM

A Pennsylvania Dutch song with a title like THAT?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Rivier
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 21 May 05 - 10:10 PM

Unless someone will post it, the only sources seem to be purchase from the Smithsonian or robertschmertz.com, which requires a password for access.

Subject: Lyr Req: La Vierge de la Belle Rivier
From:
Date: 21 May 05 - 09:58 PM

I have looked all over the internet for the lyrics to this song, and I can't find them anywhere. It's an old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Dutch folk song and the Smithsonian has a recording of it here: http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/containerdetail.asp?itemid=949 and it's recorded by Robert Schmertz. Please point me in the right direction on the web, or please post the lyrics. This is a beautiful song, and I really want to learn it.
Thanks,
Kim