The French 'Voice of the People' set

Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 03:08 AM

PASTRÉ, DÈ DÈLAY L'AYO (BAYLÈRO LÈRO) (Occitan) "Pastré, dè dèlay l'ayo As gayré dè boun tems Dió, lou baylèro, lèro ? Lèro, lèro, lèro, lèro, baylèro lô ?" "È n'ay pas gayré, e dió, tu, Baylèro, lèro ! Lèro, lèro, lèro, lèro, baylèro lô ?" "Pastré, lou prat fay flour, L'y cal gorda toun troupel." "L'erb'ès pu fino'l prat d'oyci." "Pastré, couçi foray ? En obal y o lou bel riou !" "Espèro-mé, té báu çirca." (Transcription as published in l'Anthologie des chants populaires by Canteloube) Coirault : 4502 Pastourelle de delà l'eau RADdO : 02709.

SHEPHERD, BEYOND THE WATER Shepherd, beyond the water (the river) You're hardly having a good time, Say, baylèro (1), lèro Lèro, lèro, lèro, lèro, baylèro lô ?" "I ain't, and you, say? Baylèro, lèro ! Lèro, lèro, lèro, lèro, baylèrolô?" "Shepherd, the grass/meadow is blooming, Come to watch your flock." "The grass is finer in the meadow here" "Shepherd, how would I cross? Over there is the large stream?" "Wait for me, I'm coming to fetch you."

(1) Baylèro (also spelled bailèra, baïlero) first referred to the sort of onomatopoeic call that shepherds would utter to keep in contact with one another before it referred to the call-and-answer type of shepherds songs.

alternate translation and alternate transcription
You can hear the recording here
You can hear it sung here, YouTube "Baylèro" page.

END OF CD 7


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 04:20 AM

Thank you very much for this, Monique. It makes the CDs so much more enjoyable.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 05:12 AM

Monique, may I echo what Joe has written; your translations have been immeasurably helpful in heightening my appreciation of the songs in this most valuable collection.

Earlier on you asked for some constructive help with your initial translations: "I wish that you guys out there pointed where the previous ones are wrong, weird, awkward, incomprehensible....

I haven't found any fault with your translations so far, but I shall do my best to go through them again, and where I can do so, I may suggest some alternative readings which I'll tell you by PM. Many of the apparent akwardnesses are inherent in the original language, where some very idiomatic expressions are used. Much of the language is so compressed that it would take a whole paragraph to disentangle all of the meanings from a short two or three word phrase.

It is very useful that you should continue to provide basic literal translations, along with your helpful notes and glosses. It has been said elsewhere, and more elegantly than I can express it here, that the heart and soul of a poem is the bit that gets left out when it is translated. The more you, or anybody else, attempt to round off the weird and awkward bits to make them read better in English the more you stray from the original - but you know that already!

I will certainly try to help, when I can do so, and offer some suggestions with your translations from French. I can't help at all with Basque, Breton, Walloon, or Corsican, and Occitan is a struggle for my limited powers too! I wish Malcolm Douglas were still with us as he had a good working knowledge of French at degree level.

I'd love to see some good English language versions of some of these songs; and I'd love to sing a version of Le Roi Renaud or of Skolvan, but I think those are best left to other, separate discussions.

Thanks once again for all you have done so far.

Matthew

Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:21 AM

CD # 8 Corsica (Leaflet)

L'ALCUDINA (Corsican) Principià vogliu à lodare U San Pietru è Veraculongu Po ci hè Nebbiu incù la trova O Fraulettu à fà la prova Funtana di Terminelli U termine da faccia al pianu Di bellezza hè in i confine O da quel (??) circondate Sottu quel toppe di prati O sguìzzanu tanti roscelli Sottu son pesci sarrati È sopra pàscenu l'agnelli

L'ALCUDINA First I want to praise San Petru and Veraculongu Then comes Nebbiu with Also Frauletu that deserves it. The fountain of Terminelli Is on the edge of the plateau. Everywhere in this area, We're surrounded by beauty. Under the meadows openings Spring out so many streams, Where trout are prisoners And above the lambs graze.

The names in the song refer to different places in Corsica,
l'Alcùdina, "The Anvil" Mount, Southern Corsica highest point, San Petru, the Nebbiu villages, Frauletu

It's also a part of a longer song

Alcudina
(Tradiziunale zicavese)

Principià vogliu à lodare
U San Petri è Veraculongu
Po ci hè Nebbiu cù la trova
U Fraulettu à fà la prova.

Funtana di termineddi
U terminu da faccia al Pianu
Teppa Ritta fù chjamata
O da quel terminu vicinu.

Sattu quel toppe di prati
Sguizzanu tanti roscelli
Sottu son pesci sarrati
È sopra pascinu l'agnelli

Li cavalli è li ghjumenti
È li boia cù li vitelli.
O passendu par li Croci
U Cavallari è Pallaiolu

Sentu una sampugna rara
Chì facianu tanti caroli.
L'Alcudina chjama è invita
O di l'altezza nun ci hè la para

Guarda la Corsica unita
O quantu giranu terra è mari
È po guarda à Magior Segnu
È parte assai de la Sardegna.

You can hear the recording here
You can hear it sung here by the same Franciscu Bianconi.

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:25 AM

VULERIA CHÌ LA MIO PELLE (Corsican) Vuleria chì la mio pelle Diventassi un coghju forte Per mandalla à la concia Per fanne un paghju di botte Per pudè purtalle tù Lu mio amore fin'à la morte

I WISH MY SKIN I wish my skin Became a strong leather To send it to the tanners And make a pair of boots out of it So that you could wear them, My love, until you die.

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:27 AM

BRÍNDISI (Corsican) Ch'ellu ti sia cuncessu Tuttu l'oru di la Spagna U granu di la Casinca Cun l'oliu di la Balagna U vinu di U Migliacciaru È d'Orezza la castagna

TOAST May you be granted All the gold from Spain, The wheat from the Casinca, Also the oil from the Balagne The wine from Migliacciaru And the chestnuts from the Orezza

You can hear the recording here

This is only one verse of a much longer song. The whole song can be found as "U trenu di Bastia" or "A canzona di u trenu" that you'll also find in this antiwarsongs.org page (Italian site). I'd recommend putting the article(s) in an online translator to get an idea of what it's all about and if you follow the link to "ADECEC" you'll get this pdf document in French

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:30 AM

SALUTE AMATI SPOSI (Corsican) Salute amati sposi Onore à Sant'Andria Ma ùn ci sia più ghjelosi Sì la nostra hè Maria Preghenduvi bona sorte Sermanu anu da apre le porte. Sermanu apre le porte Cù la strada di li fiori È vi offre per cumpagnu Lu più bravu di li cori Cullate in casa di Lesiu Voi serete in paradisu

GREETINGS BELOVED SPOUSES Greetings, beloved spouses, Honor to the village of Saint-Andrew But let there be no more jealous ones If our Mary is the bride. Wishing you good luck, Sermanu is going to open its gates to you. The village of Sermanu opens its gates On a flowery road And gives you as a companion The most generous heart. You enter Alexis' household, You'll be in paradise there.

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:35 AM

NI SENTU UNA VOCI IN PIAZZA (Corsican) "Ni sentu una voci in piazza Mi par Paula Maria Quella chè lu mio figliolu Amava per cumpagnia." "Or lasceti u m'abbraccià Incù poca ghjilusia Ch'era ghjà trè mesi è più Chì vidutu eu ùn l'avia Chì lu vi teniate ascosu Indeh par Paula Maria." "La me Paula Maria Cunfessu lu me piccatu Piuttostu chè dallu à voi Bramava avellu intarratu Ma sè era vivu stamani Saria lu vostru spusatu Or cacciami da st'angoscia Or cacciami da quistu mali È po fà alloch'è à trè anni O cara lu viduvali Ti docu trecentu scudi Cuntati in u me scusali Altrettanti à la me morti Li ti suttuscrivu avali." "Ringraziu i vostri dinari Ringraziu i vostri quattrini Sapeti ch'in la me casa Si misuranu à bacini In casa di lu me babbu Ci fala quattru funtane Una di lu russu vinu L'altra di lu biancu pani Una di l'amor di Diu L'altra di la caritani."

I HEAR A VOICE ON THE SQUARE I hear a voice on the square It seems to be Paula Maria's voice, The one whose company My son loved." "Let me kiss him Without any jealousy, For I hadn't seen him again For more than three months. You kept him hidden From Paula Maria's eyes." "My dear Paula Maria, I confess my sin. Rather than giving him to you, I would prefer to see him buried, But if he were alive this morning, He would be your husband. Take this anxiety from me Take this pain from me And wear for three years My dear, the widows' dress. I'll give you three hundred crowns Counted in my apron As many when I die, I subscribe them to you right now." "I thank you for your money, I thank you for your crowns. You know well that in my family, We count them by the bushels. In my father's house, Four fountains would flow, One of red wine, The other of white bread, One of God's love, The other of charity."

You can hear the recording here

An essay about Mediterranean mothers, anybody?


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:38 AM

A MORTE DI FILICONE (Corsican) Impiegà vogliu la musa Per fanne duie canzone Mi ritrovu ind'e poghje È dimoru in l'Arbitrone Ne sò tristu è scunsulatu Chì ghjè mortu Filicone. La morte di Filicone Quantu mi hà datu pena Sò ghjunti li cacciadori Di lu Pricoghju è d'Arena Sonu arrivati da Fiumorbu Di Serra di Scopamena. Quand'elli la senteranu Li cacciadori in Casinca Ch'ellu hè mortu Filicone À u pede d'una lustinca N'hè mortu bellu onoratu Cù l'un cinghjale capu à capu. Cinghjale di trenta chilò U l'avimu pigliatu in bocca N'avimu fattu le parti In lu collu d'Arcarotta Ci si truvava ancu Ghjambattistu Soprannome Cocca Cocca. Ellu trovava pernici è lefre Molti cinghjali è fasgiani È ne partia da Aleria Sinu à Fiume Alisgiani Passava per Padulella Cantone di Moriani. O quale hè chì ferà la guardia Indu la casa à l'Arbitrone La notte cum'è lu ghjornu ? N'era sempre reunione Avà ghjè finitu tuttu Chì ghjè mortu Filicone. Quì finiscu è chjodu il fogliu Tuttu tristu è scunsulatu. M'hà dispacciatu il mio amicu Chì si trova nel Viscuvatu Saria venutu à l'interru S'ellu era statu avisatu.

FILICONE'S DEATH I appeal to my muse To compose some lines. I am in the hills And I live in the Arbitrone(1). I am sad and despaired For Filicone is dead. Filicone's death Hurt me so much. The hunters from Pricoghju and Arena Joined in, They've come from Fiumorbu, From Serra di Scopamena. When the Casinca's hunters Are told That Filicone died At the foot of a mastic tree, He died in the greatest honor Facing a wild boar. We removed from his mouth A sixty-six pound wild boar. We shared it At the Arcarotta pass. Jean-Baptise, nicknamed Cocca Cocca Was with us. He would find partridges and hares Wild boars and pheasants. He would start from Aleria And go as far as the Alisgiani. He would cross Padulella In Moriani district. Who will keep watch In the house of the Albitrone, By night and by day? There were always gatherings Today, all of this is over For Filicone is dead. Now I am done and finish my verses I'm very sad and despaired. My friend who lives in Viscuvatu Sent me a telegram, He'd had come to the burial If he'd been told.

(1) L'Albitrone, river Albitrone valley, North of Ajaccio.

You can hear the recording here
Recording by I Muvrini (THE Corsican polyphonic band!). Live rendition by the very same Muvrini in 2014/11/29.

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:41 AM

SUDA SANGUE IL REDENTORE (Corsican) Suda sangue il Redentore, E non piangi o peccatore Miserere nostri, Domine Miserere nostri Sacre piaghe del mio Dio Siate impresse nel cuor mio Miserere… Piangi, piangi, o peccatore La Passione del tuo Signore Miserere…

THE REDEEMER IS SWEATING BLOOD The Redeemer is sweating blood, And you, sinner, don't weep. Have mercy on us, Lord, Have mercy on us. My God's holy wounds, Be printed in my heart. Have mercy… Weep, weep, you sinner, Your Lord's Passion. Have mercy…

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:44 AM

PERDONO, MIO DIO (Corsican) Perdono, mio Dio Mio Dio, perdono Perdono, mio Dio Perdono e pietà. Pur troppo vi offesi Confesso, o Signore Con sommo rossore La mia iniquità. Io son quell'ingrato Che voi Redentore Scacciai dal mio core Con tanta impietà. Perdono, mio Dio Mio Dio, perdono Perdono, mio Dio Perdono e pietà.

PARDON, MY GOD Pardon, my God My God, pardon Pardon, my God Pardon and mercy. I offended against you, alas. I confess, o Lord, In greatest shame, My iniquity. I am this ungrateful man Who drove you, the Redeemer, From his heart With so much impiety. Pardon, my God My God, pardon Pardon, my God Pardon and mercy.

You can hear the recording here
Live male choir rendition by the Cunfratèrnita San Martinu di Patrimoniu
Another one by the Cunfraterna San Francescu

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:46 AM

CREDO IN UNUM DEUM (Latin) Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem, descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est.

I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD I believe in one God, The Father almighty Maker of heaven and earth, Of all things visible and invisible And in one Lord Jesus Christ, The only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all worlds God of God, Light of Light, True God of true God, Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things came into being. Who for us men, and for Our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost Of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

Don't you guys think that I've suddenly become soooooooooo good at English, I just copied and pasted it from The Nicene Creed
You can hear the recording here


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:49 AM

PADRE ("Corsicanized" Toscan) Padre la presi per la mano e stretta E poi la volevo condurre a quel desio Faccendo questo e què a la mio diletta Padre io son venuta a confessarmi Ditemi se voi siete maritata o figlia Padre vedova son senza famiglia Assolvetemi voi padre pietosu Che Dio mi assolverà se a me portate A parlar con la brava mi son ascosu.

FATHER Father, I took her by her hand, tight, And I wanted to lead her to this extreme desire, Doing this and that to my beloved. Father, I've come to confession. Tell me if you're married or single. Father, I'm a widow without a family. Give me the absolution, merciful father, For God will forgive me if you take me To talk to her on the sly.

The first verse is missing, I'll add it as soon as I get it!

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:53 AM

Election time song.

INDUVE HÈ PIGLIATU ROMANI (Corsican) Induve hè pigliatu Romani Chì in più docu lun si vede Hè nantu à lu catafalcu Tuttu accintu di candele È lu sgiò Paul Renucci Li canta lu Miserere. Li canta lu Miserere Cù lu santu De profundis Lu partitu di Renucci Criscimu cum'è li funghi Chì lu nostru cuncurrente In Peru più nun ci ghjunghji. Quandu simu ghjunti in Peru Ne sunava la ciccona Pare ch'ellu fussi ghjuntu Napuleone in persona Lu nome di lu sgiò Paul Quantu in cantone risona.

WHERE CAN ROMANI BE? Where can Romani be, For he's nowhere to be seen. He's lying down on the bier, Surrounded by candles, And mister Paul Renucci Sings the Miserere for him. He sings him the Miserere Also the holy De profundis. The Renucci's party, (we) grow as mushrooms So that our challenger Doesn't ever set a foot in Peru again. When we arrived in Peru, The bells were ringing, It seemed Napoleon himself Was coming. Mister Paul's name Resounds very loudly in the district

You can hear the recording here. The recording includes many more verses than those three that can be heard at 2:58 (last 3 verses).

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 07:57 AM

OLA ,OLA, LI BON BOI (Tribbiera)-(Corsican) Ola, ola, li bon boi Quelli chì la sanu fà. Prima ci aiutanu à pone È po dopu à tribbià. S'elli avianu le so mani Ci aiutavanu à macinà È po fenduli li so ambasti Ci aiutarebbenu à trascinà Per purtà lu granu in casa Ch'hè quellu chì ci hà da fà manghjà.

COME ON, COME ON, GOOD OXEN (Threshing song) Come on, come on, good oxen, You who are so smart. They help you first to saw, Then to thresh. If they had hands, They'd help us to grind And if we put them a pack-saddle, They would help us to carry To bring the grain home For it's what will feed us.

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 08:00 AM

NE VOGLIU FÀ L'APERTURA (Corsican) Roccu Mambrini : Ne vogliu fà l'apertura Cù la mio musa benigna Sottu à un celu nivulosu Induve pocu stella ne scrigna È mandà lu mio salutu À questu paese Pigna. […] È po fendu lu mio giru È po fendu la mio ronda Felicità vogliu ancora Ancu à Tonì Casalonga Aghjustu à la mio puesia I fratelli Acquaviva. Tutti què sò l'istigatori O di questa seratina D'avè riunitu in Pigna I poeti di la confina Chì durmianu inde l'ombra D'una grotta tantu divina. Hè per quella ch'io mi rigiru Cum'è i preti à l'altare Per mandà la benvinuta À tutti questi poeti Chì sta sera esposeranu Tutt'ognunu i so mireti. O trà ch'è no ci truvemu À mezu à parenti è à amici È siguru l'averanu O li so cori felici Vogliu passà a parolla À un certu Carlu Parigi. […] Carlu Parigi : Vistu aghju contru à stu lume Chì girava una farfalla. E'aghju portu a sedia Ellu saperà chì hè calda. Per finì a pueasia Quessa ùn vene da Bastia.

I WANT TO DO THE OVERTURE Roccu Mambrini : I want to do the overture With my benevolent muse Under a cloudy sky Where few stars smile, And to send my greetings To this village of Pigna […] Then as I make my tour, As I make my round, I also want to congratulate Toni Casalonga. I add to my poem The Acquaviva brothers. All these persons Initiated this evening performance. They gathered in Pigna The poets of the area Who were sleeping in the shadow Of a very divine cave. It is why I turn around Like the priests on the altar To welcome All these poets Who, this evening, will show Their talents successively. Since we are Among relatives and friends And that they surely have A cheerful heart, I want to hand over To one Carlu Parigi […] Carlu Parigi : I saw that around this light A butterfly was flying. I brought it a chair. It will notice because it (the chair) is hot . To finish the poem, It (the chair) doesn't come from Bastia.

I sometimes find genders in languages to be very useful!

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 08:03 AM

This one still has a copyright

O LA RICCHEZZA DI LA SO MAMMUCCIA (Corsican) O la ricchezza di la so mammuccia U me figliolu tisoru di mè A ninninanna digià t'abbiuccia Chjodi i to ochji chì veghju per tè. In celu luce tamanta una stella U rusignolu hà cantatu dighjà A luna hè tonda pare una bastella L'anghjuli in celu a si volenu manghjà. In li castagni ci sò tanti nidi È l'acellucci sò tutti à dormì A lucciulella fighjula è po ridi È la so mamma hè cuntenta cusì. Sottu la scala i piulelli sò fitti Ùn ne finiscenu più di piulà Ma s'elli ùn volenu micca stà zitti A nostra cioccia li s'hà da lacà. In un castellu eu socu una fata Hè tantu bella è ti vol tantu bè. Tanta ricchezza è tanta rinnumata L'aghju dighjà cummandata per tè. Più tardi quand'è tù serai maiore Una regina ti vurrà spusà U me geraniu di centu culori U me figliolu, bijou di Mammà !

YOU, THE WEALTH OF YOUR LITTLE MOMMY You, wealth of your little mommy, My son, treasure of mine, This lullaby lulls you to sleep. Close your eyes for I keep watch upon you. In the sky a huge star is shining, The nightingale already sang, The moon is round and looks like a pie (1) The angels in the sky would want to eat it. In the chestnut trees, there are so many nests And all the birdies are asleep, The firefly looks and smiles, Their mommy is happy like this/this way. Under the stairs, the chicks are squeezed They don't stop tweeting, But if they don't want to hush, Our mother hen is going to leave them. I know a fairy in a castle, She's so beautiful and loves you so. I ordered her great wealth And great fame for you. Later, when you're older A queen will want to marry you, My hundred colored geranium, My son, your mommy's jewel.

(1) A "bastella" (video) is a pie made with two layers of pastry (with regular pie crust or with puff pastry) filled with a mixture of onions and herbs

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 08:07 AM

GHJÙNSIMU IND'È VINCINSINA (Corsican) Ghjùnsimu ind'è Vincinsina È quallà fècimu cena Ne ghjunse quattru giandarmi Mi strìnsenu le catene. Cullendu pè tribunale N'era bellu circundatu Da li signori calvesi N'era bellu accumpagnatu. "Cundannàtelumi forte Sintite lu tistimone." La sintenza hè digià fatta Quattr'anni n'aghju pigliatu. O lu mio Petru Ghjuvanni Nun ere ancu trapassatu Per avè vintiquattr'anni. Ma s'o fussi un acellinu Sparge l'ale è poi vulare Un paese di Ghjunsani Lu vulia fracillane. O lu mio figliolu N'ai fattu lu to statu Nun era calchì cuntessa Ch'ella ùn fussi al to paru.

WE ARRIVED AT VINCINSINA'S We arrived at Vincinsina's And we had dinner/supper there (1) Four gendarmes came in They chained me up. On the way to the court, I was nicely surrounded By gentlemen from Calvi, I was well accompanied. "Sentence him heavily, Hear the witness." The sentence is already pronounced, I got four years. My dear Petru Ghjuvanni, You weren't very old yet, Being twenty-four. But if I were a little bird, And I could spread my wings and fly, I would have liked to squash A village of the Ghjunsani (2) My poor child You made your own fate, She was no countess Who wouldn't have been your equal.

(1) "Cena" is the evening meal, whatever your local name for it may be
(2) Ghjunsani, a high vale.

You can hear the recording here
You can hear it sung here a Corsican prisoner recorded by the German authorities in 1916.

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 08:11 AM

NUN TI SCURDÀ DI MÈ BEN'CHÈ LUNTANU (Corsican) Nun ti scurdà di mè ben'chè luntanu, Appia cumpassione d'un infelice Ch'eo vogu pienghjendu da li colli al pianu. Chì à parlacci, a bocca più nun lice Per spiegarti tutti i mei dolori ; Legge il foglio dolente quel chè dice : " 'nduve si 'nduve stai 'nduve domori ? Idulu del mio core, nice si bella, A tante pene perchè nun succorri ? Son'sicuru che tù 'n serai più quella ; Avrai forse cambiatu di novu amore A la fonte d'amore Diana Stella."

DON'T FORGET ME Don't forget me, even from afar, Have mercy of a poor man Who cries wandering hither and thither (lit. "from the hills to the plain"). Since my mouth can't speak To describe (explain) all my pains to you, Read the painful/sad letter, the one that says, "Where are you, where do you live, where do you dwell? Idol of my heart, my beautiful beloved, Why don't you relieve so much pain? I am sure that you are not the way you were; You may have changed your love At the love spring, Diana Stella.(1)

(1) the French translation says "I'm sure you have changed/ and that you came back /to the spring of your love", the Corsican says (word by word) "I am sure that you will no more be that one / you will maybe have changed of new (= again) of love / at the spring of love, Diana Stella"

You can hear the recording here.
Recording by Filippu Rocchi, Petru Guelfucci, Domenicu Leschi, verses 1, 3, 4 + ?.

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 08:15 AM

Corsican anthem –I apologize to all the Corsicans for my poor translation but it's supposed to be a literal translation, not a good looking/sounding one.

DIO VI SALVI REGINA (Italian) Dio vi salvi Regina E Madre Universale Per cui favor si sale Al Paradiso. Voi siete gioia e riso Di tutti i sconsolati, Di tutti i tribolati, Unica speme. A voi sospira e geme Il nostro afflitto cuore, In un mar di dolore E d'amarezza. Maria, mar di dolcezza, I vostri occhi pietosi, Materni ed amorosi, A noi volgete. Noi miseri accogliete Nel vostro santo Velo Il vostro Figlio in Cielo A noi mostrate. Gradite ed ascoltate, O Vergine Maria, Dolce, clemente e pia, Gli affetti nostri. Voi dei nemici nostri A noi date vittoria ; E poi l'Eterna gloria In Paradiso.

MAY GOD SAVE YOU, QUEEN May God save you, Queen And universal Mother By whose favor one goes up To Heaven. You are joy and laughter For all the sorrowed ones, For all the tormented ones, The only hope. Towards you our afflicted hearts Sigh and moan In a sea of pain And bitterness. Mary, sea of gentleness, Turn your pious, motherly, Loving eyes Towards us. Welcome us, the miserable ones, In your holy Veil. Show us Your son in Heaven. Welcome and listen O, gentle, clement and pious Virgin Mary, Our marks of love. Give us victory Upon our enemies, Then Eternal glory In Paradise.

END OF CD 8

I enjoyed doing those and I'm glad I took a few Italian classes some 30 odd years ago!

You can hear the recording here
Wiki entry about this hymn.
Live rendition
YouTube page for this song.


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:34 PM

CD 9 OVERSEAS FRANCE (Leaflet)

You can hear samples of these songs on Amazon.fr -It hasn't been uploaded in YouTube so far.
MASCAREIGNES (La Réunion, Rodrigues, Maurice)

VALÉ VALÉ PRÉTEZ-MOI VOS FUSILS (Reunionese Creole) Valé valé prétez-moi vos fusils Voilà l'oiseau prêt à voler Valé valé prétez-moi vos fusils Voilà l'oiseau prêt à voler Valé valé prétez-moi vos fusils Voilà l'oiseau prêt à voler Si nous avez gagné l'oiseau Suffisamment pour mon voyage Et pour mon arrivée Si nous avez gagné l'oiseau Suffi d'argent pour mon voyage Et pour mon arrivée Trois plats à table ec un pizon blanc Suffisamment pour mon dîner Trois plats à table ec un pizon blanc Suffisamment pour mon dîner Mais pas si tôt la belle perçoit Sapo z'en main pour me saluer Mais pas si tôt la belle perçoit Sapo z'en main pour me saluer (Quand) Nous l'a 'tendu le roi dans nou bois La reine l'a rivé Nous l'a 'tendu le roi dans nou bois La reine l'a rivé (bis) (Oui) Le vin qui brûle oui l'est dans mon verre Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (bis) Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (six fois) Le vin qui brule oui l'est dans mon verre Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (bis) Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (quatre fois) Dégaz a nou manman Dégaz a nou Dégaz a nou calicot l'a rivé (quatre fois) (Quand) Nous l'a 'tendu le roi dans nou bois La reine l'a rivé Nous l'a 'tendu le roi dans nou bois La reine l'a rivé (bis) (Oui) Le vin qui brûle oui l'est dans mon verre Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (bis) Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (quatre fois) Le vin qui brule oui l'est dans mon verre Bon dieu l'a dit mon z'enfant boit pas (bis) Dégaz a nou manman Dégaz a nou Dégaz a nou calicot l'a rivé (quatre fois) Dégaz a nou calicot l'a rivé (Ad lib) Frenchified graphy transcription. RADdO : 06397.

BROTHER-IN-LAW, BROTHER-IN-LAW, LEND ME YOUR FLINTLOCKS Brother-in-law (1), brother-in-law, lend me your flintlocks, Here is the bird ready to take its flight, Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, lend me your flintlocks, Here is the bird ready to take its flight Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, lend me your flintlocks, Here is the bird ready to take its flight. If you have killed the bird, It's enough for my travel And for my stay. If you have killed the bird, It's enough money for my travel And my stay. Three dishes on the table/for a meal with a white pigeon, It's enough for my dinner. Three dishes on the table/for a meal with a white pigeon, It's enough for my dinner. As soon as the fair lady catches sight of me, With her hat in her hand, she greets me As soon as the fair lady catches sight of me, With her hat in her hand, she greets me. When we heard the king in our woods, (2) The queen arrived. When we heard the king in our woods, The queen arrived. (twice) The wine that burns (my mouth and throat!) is in my glass God (lit. the good God) said, "My child, don't drink (twice) God said "My child, don't drink. (six times) The wine that burns (my mouth and throat!) is in my glass God (lit. the good God) said, "My child, don't drink (twice) God said "My child, don't drink. (four times) Let's leave quickly, mommy, Let's leave quickly, Let's leave quickly, the train has arrived. (four times) When we heard the king in our woods, (2) The queen arrived. When we heard the king in our woods, The queen arrived. (twice) The wine that burns (my mouth and throat!) is in my glass God (lit. the good God) said, "My child, don't drink (twice) God said "My child, don't drink. (four times) The wine that burns (my mouth and throat!) is in my glass God (lit. the good God) said, "My child, don't drink (twice) Let's leave quickly, mommy, Let's leave quickly, Let's leave quickly, the train has arrived. (four times) Let's leave quickly, the train has arrived. (Ad lib)

(1) -According to this document the word "valé" doesn't refer to the French word "valet" (male servant) but to the Malagasy "valilahy" meaning "brother-in-law")
(2) According to the same document, maroon slaves of Malagasy origin would reproduce some structures of their original society such as making woods sacred, their chiefs they had chosen being then kings and queens.

Recording
Live rendition.


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:36 PM

O NAMSIDO SI LA BI LA BWAR (Reunionese Creole) O Namsido si la bi la bwar Namsido la bi la bwar Namsido o si la bi la bwar Namsido piti pé pou mwin Namsido donn ma gouté Namsido non la pi bon pou twé Namsido a ma gouté Namsido a si la bi la bwar Namsido (hum) si la bi la bwar Namsido si la bi la bwar Namsido o si la pi nana Namsido (hum) si la pi nana Namsido si la pi nana Namsido donn ma gouté Namsido la pi bon pou twé Namsido a si la bi la bwar Namsido (hum) si na pi nana Namsido (hum) si na pi nana Namsido a donn ma gouté Namsido a la pa bon pou twé Namsido a tousa la lontan Namsido a mwin la pi ton tan Namsido a donn ma gouté Namsido o si la bi la bwar Namsido a si la pi nana Namsido (hum) si na pi nana Namsido (hum) si na pi na bwar Namsido donn ma gouté Namsido a la pa bon pou twé Namsido a tousala lontan Namsido a la fini ton temps Namsido (hum) si la bi la bwar Namsido (hum) si la bi la bwar Namsido a si la pi nana Namsido a si nana la pwin Namsido a si la pi nana Namsido (hum) donn ma gouté Namsido a donn ma gouté Namsido a la pa bon pou twé Mansido a mé la pi ton tan Namsido a tousala lontan Namsido a la pa bon pou twé Namsido a la pi bon pou twé Namsido a si la pi nana Namsido (hum) si nana na pwin Namsido (hum) si nana na bwar Namsido (hum) si nana na bwar Namsido (hum) si na pi na bwar Namsido Transcription in KWZ graphy

NAMSIDO HE DRANK AND WE WILL DRINK Namsido he drank and we will Namsido he drank, we will Namsido, oh, he drank, we will Namsido a little for me Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido, no, it's no more good for you Namsido I'm going to taste/try it. Namsido he drank, we will Namsido he drank, we will Namsido he drank, we will Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido, no, it's no more good for you Namsido I'm going to taste/try it. Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido, no, it's not good for you Namsido those are things from the past Namsido I'm no more your age Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido he drank, we will Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido if there's no more left, we'll drink Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido, no, it's not good for you Namsido those are things from the past Namsido your time is over Namsido he drank, we will Namsido he drank, we will Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido when there's none left, there's no more left Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido give (me some) so I can taste/try it Namsido it's not good for you Namsido I'm no more your age Namsido those are things from the past Namsido it's not good for you Namsido it's not good for you Namsido when there's none left, there's no more left Namsido when there's none left, there's still some Namsido if there's some, we will drink Namsido if there's some, we will drink Namsido if there's no more left, we will drink Namsido

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:39 PM

KI POMM' D'AMOUR ? (Rodrigues Creole) Nursery Rhyme Ki pomm' d'amour? Pomm' d'amour rouz Ki rouz ? Rouz di san Ki di san ? Di san kayé Ki kayé ? Kayé devwar Ki devwar ? Devwar anglé Ki anglé ? Anglé kotis Ki kotis ? Kotis zasar Ki zasar ? Zasar mang Ki mang ? Mang la corde Ki la corde ? La corde coco Ki coco ? Coco manzé Ki manzé ? Manzé coson Ki coson ? Coson dan park Ki park ? Park di bwa Ki bwa ? Di bwa kolofon Si mo kass sa Sink cou d' baton Si mo kass sa Sink cou d' baton Si mo kass sa Sink cou d' baton RADdO : 06391

WHICH CANDY/TOFFEE APPLE? Which candy apple? (1) The red candy apple. Which red? The blood red. Which blood? The coagulated blood. Which note book? The homework notebook. Which homework? English homework. Which English? The English schottische. Which subscription? The achars subscription. Which achars? The mango achars. Which mangoes? The stringy mangoes. Which string? The coco string. Which coco? The edible coco? Which food? Pigs food. Which pigs? Pigs in the park? Which park? The wooden park. Which wood? The kolofon (2) wood If I break it, Five stick blows, If I break it, Five stick blows, If I break it, Five stick blows.

(1) Candy apples are called in Creole and French "pommes d'amour" (love apples). Btw, cotton candy is "barbe à papa" (daddy's beard)
2) I have no idea of what can "kolofon" wood may be unless it's some variety of pine from which they get "colophane" (rosin, Greek pitch)- Cf. below.

This is the sort of untranslatable rhyme because it's based on how words sound and each line starts by the end of the previous line in the same way you have in English Miss Susie. The structure of Romance languages –and these creoles are French based- allows this sort of chain of words because epithet adjectives can (or must, it depends) be placed after the noun and because they use noun1 + preposition + noun2, while it's done differently in English from a grammatical point of view. Here is the French widest spread rhyme based on this chain of words.
The Spanish equivalent is "Se murió Lola" (Version 1 Se murió Lola, de Lola lo lamento, de mento mentosal, de sal salamar, de mar maletín, de tin tiburón, de ron ron con cu, de cu cubo de agua, de agua aguarráz, de raz rabo de mono, de mono monopolio, de polio policia y de cia se acabó –
Version 2 Se murió Lola, que Lola? lolamento, que mento? Mentosanto, que santo? santo ma, que ma? mata e coco, que coco? coco de agua, que agua? agua rá, que ra? rabo e mono, que mono? monopolio, que polio? policia, que cía? siacabó, que bó? bocachica, que chica? chicago, que cago?)

I found a slightly different one online

ki passer la
marchand dilait
ki dilait
dilait cailler
ki cailler
cahier devoir
ki devoir
devoir anglais
ki anglais
anglais potiche
ki potiche
potiche zassar
ki zassar
zassar mangue
ki mangue
mangue lacorde
ki lacorde
lacorde coco
ki coco
coco manze
ki manze
manze cochon
ki cochon
cochon dan parc
ki parc
parc di bois
ki dibois
dibois collophane
si mo trape li si mo gagne li
si mo gagne li
100 coups baton lor se nenez


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:42 PM

VIRÉ, BONSWAR MADAM, VIRÉ BONSWAR MÉSIÉ (Rodrigues Creole) Viré, bonswar madam, viré bonswar mésié Ala tourné fer mo lé kèr fer mal Viré bonswar mésié, madam, madémoisel Ala tourné fer mo lé kèr kontan Viré bonswar madam, viré bonswar mésié Ala tourné fer mo lé kèr kontan Viré bonswar mésié, madam, madémoisel Ala tourné fer mo lé kèr fer mal (… vers repris ad lib.) RADdO : 06392.

TURN AROUND, GOOD EVENING MADAM, TURN AROUND, GOOD EVENING SIR Turn around, good evening madam, turn around, good evening sir Here you go, turn around, you make me sad, (lit. you hurt my heart) Turn around, good evening sir, madam, miss, Here you go, turn around, you make me happy. Turn around, good evening madam, turn around, good evening sir Here you go, turn around, you make me happy, Turn around, good evening sir, madam, miss, Here you go, turn around, you make me sad (…line sung ad libidum)

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:45 PM

COMPAGNONS DE LA MARJOLAINE (French) - Nursery Rhyme "Qui est-ce qui passe ici mesdames, Compagnons de la Marjolaine ? Qui est-ce qui passe dans ce château ?" "C'est la fille du roi !" "On ne peut pas la voir !" "Les murs sont très hauts !" "Elle a une fille que j'ai trouvée." "Ohé ohé ohé ohé." Coirault: 7804 Qu'est-ce qui passe ici si tard. Chevalier du guet. Laforte, III, H-10 Qu'est-ce qui passe ici si tard RADdO : 01175.

FELLOWS OF THE MARJORAM "Who is passing by, ladies, Fellows of the Marjoram? Who is passing in this castle? "It's the king's daughter" "We cannot see her !" "The walls are too high !" "She has a girl I've found" "Ohé ohé ohé ohé."

This rhyme is based on the song "Compagnons de la Marjolaine" aka "Le chevalier du guet", the "ohé, ohé" thing reminds me of "Il était un petit navire".
Looking for information on who those "compagnons de la marjolaine" were I came across a couple of websites, one explaining that marjoram would be used in love songs as was rose or lily of the valley, the other explaining that young men going on a spree would put some sprigs of marjoram sticking out from the top of their boots hence forming an informal "Fellowship of the Marjoram", both saying that they were charmers.
I've just found in "Trésors des plus belles mélodies de tous les temps et de tous les pays", Delfolie, Edidtions Edsco, Chambéry, 1947" that in the 15th century people wouldn't say "to serenade someone" but "to wake up the pots of the marjoram" and that the Brotherhood of the Marjoram (Confrérie de la Marjolaine) was the guild of the perfumers. It was a very powerful brotherhood/fellowship/guild or whatever you call it because the king's court and the city -good society I suppose- made a very intense use of perfumes. The song goes back to circa 1650.
According to Du Mersan (Chants et chansons populaires de France, t. 2) it was "the meeting of young men and girls who go to dance on meadow where the marjoram blooms".
To sum it up, it seems that they were jolly good fellows!


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:48 PM

FRENCH GUIANA

IYAA IYAA A A A (Wayãpi) Iyaa iyaa a a a Osõsõsõsõngatu alalaloway olopolay lemè a'e la'ela.

HOW PRETTY IS… How pretty is The rustle of the macaw feathers while we dance.

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:50 PM

MANMAN MO GEN ÈNMI (Guyanese Creole) Manman mo gen ènmi-o san mo pa konnèt yé Mo ganyen ènmi laro Mo ganyen ènmi anba Manman mo gen ènmi-o san mo pa konnèt yé Pli bon di mo zami Sa yé fè yé ka trayi-mo Mo ganyen ènmi divan Mo ganyen ènmi dèyè Manman mo gen ènmi-o san mo pa konnèt yé Enmi ka késyoné-mo Pou yé konnèt mo sigré Mo ganyen ènmi agoch Mo ganyen ènmi adrèt RADdO : 06393.

MOMMY I HAVE ENEMIES Mommy, I have enemies without knowing them, I have enemies up there, I have enemies down there, Mommy, I have enemies without knowing them. My best friends, What did they do? They betrayed me. I have enemies at the front, I have enemies at the back Mommy, I have enemies without knowing them. My enemies ask me questions To know my secrets. I have enemies on the left, I have enemies on the right.

You can hear a recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:53 PM

MARTINIQUE

MARIWÒZ-O ! (Martiniquese Creole) Mariwòz-o ! Leve Chimiz ! Mwen mande-ou leve dwè-ou, Mwen mande-ou leve dwè-ou, Mwen mande-ou di nouvèl-ou, Mwen mande-ou kouman ou ye. Vini wè yo an lawi-a, Vini wè yo kouman yo ye. Pa kwiye-mwen Papiyonvèl, Papiyonvèl se pa non-mwen. M'a wete vye fanm ankò ! (etc.) RADdO : 06394

MARY-ROSE O Mary-Rose ô ! Get out of bed! (lit. Take your shirt up)! I ask you to get up, I ask you to get up, I ask you some news, I ask you how you are. Come and see them in the street, Come to see how they are (1) Don't call me Papiyonvèl, Papiyonvèl is not my name. I don't live with an old woman any more! (etc.)

(1) "how they are" as when you ask "how are you?"

You can hear it sung here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:55 PM

GUADELOUPE

NOTRE ARMATEUR NOUS CHERCHE (French) - Forebiter Notre armateur nous cherche Partout dans les auberges Sans pouvoir nous trouver. (bis) À la dernière auberge Notre armateur nous trouve Enfants il faut partir ! (bis) Notre grande ancre est à pic Tous nos huniers sont en veille Tout prêt à déraper. (bis) Mais c'est notre gouvernail Qu'a pris un tour de câble Enfants, faut réparer ! (bis) Nous sommes à trois corsaires Tous trois plein vent arrière Sans pouvoir nous quitter. (bis) À la Petite Dorade Qui marche comme un orage La nuit nous a laissés. (bis) À la rivière des Pères C'est là que tous nos confrères Ont fait leur destinée. (bis) RADdO : 06395

OUR SHIP-OWNER IS LOOKING FOR US Our ship-owner is looking for us Everywhere in the hostels/taverns (1) Without being able to find us (twice) In our last hostel/tavern Our ship-owner finds us, Guys (lit. children), we must leave! (twice). Our big anchor is right below, All our topsails are on standby, Everything is ready to drag. (twice) But it's our rudder That has gone loose. (2) Guys, we must mend it. (twice) We are tree privateers, All three full tailwind Without being able to leave each other (twice). At the Petite Dorade That works like a storm (3) Night left us. (twice) At the Pères river, Is where all our colleagues Made their fates. (twice)

(1) From the context I'd say that it means tavern but it could be either.
(2) I never was a sailor, so "a pris un tour de câble" that translates literally as "got a round of cable" has no much meaning to me but I suppose it means that the rudder went loose and that it needed an additional round of cable to work properly.
(3) I take the Petite Dorade (the Little Gilt-Head) to be some tavern and "that works like a storm" to mean "that goes at great guns" because the usual expression is "marcher du tonnerre" (word for word: to work to the thunder) or "marcher du feu de Dieu": to work to God's fire). Unless it'd mean that it's very noisy…

Looking for some other version or source, I came across this excerpt. You'll find a slightly different version of the first verse on page 12 –there's only the 1st verse.


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:00 PM

QUAND DIEU NAQUIT À NOËL (French) - Carol Quand Dieu naquit à Noël Dans la Palestine On vit ce jour solennel Une joie divine. Il n'était ni petit, ni grand Qui n'apportait son présent Et no, no, no, no Et n'offrit frit, frit Et no no et n'offrit Et n'offrit sans cesse Toute sa richesse. (bis) L'un apportant un agneau Avec un grand zèle L'autre un peu de lait nouveau Au fond d'une écuelle Et sous ses pauvres habits Chacun un peu de pain bis Pour la, la, la, la Pour la sain, sain, sain Pour la, la pour la sain Pour la sainte Vierge Et Joseph concierge. (bis) Ce bon père putatif De Jésus mon maître Que le pasteur plus chétif Désirant connaître D'un air obligeant et doux Recevant le don de tous Sans cé cé cé cé Sans ré ré ré ré Sans cé cé, sans ré ré Sans cérémonie Pour le fruit de vie. (bis) RADdO : 05446.

WHEN GOD WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY When God was born on Christmas day In Palestine, They saw on this solemn day A divine joy. There was no child, no grown-up Who did not bring their present And di-, di- di- And didn't bestow, tow, tow, And di-di and didn't bestow And didn't bestow without stopping (1) All their wealth. (twice) One bringing a lamb With great zeal, Another a little milk freshly milked At the bottom of a bowl And under their poor clothes, Every one a little brown bread. For the, the, the, the, For the ho, ho, ho, For the, the, for the ho, For the holy Virgin And Joseph the porter. (twice) This good putative father Of Jesus, my master, Whom the puniest shepherd Wanted to know With a grateful and sweet look, Received the donation of all. Without ce- ce- ce- ce- Without re- -re– re –re- Without ce- ce-, without re- re- Without ceremony For the fruit of life. (2) (twice)

(1) The grammatical structure of French and English being so different, it's difficult to put it the same way. Here the verb in the negative is split in two "n'offrit" but you can't have "no bes – towed" in English. This is valid for the two other verses built the same way.
(2) Though being literal, the translation of the two last verses makes grammatically more sense than the original.

You probably know a more or less similar tune as Jamaica (some info) but I know it as the tune to the cordelles dance (article about this dance -in Fr. only, scroll down to half the page)


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:03 PM

SOULAJÉ ! SOULAJÉ DO A KATALINA (Guadeloupean Creole) Soulajé ! soulajé do a Katalina Woy ! Dédé yé Elwaz kongné tanbou-la ban-mwen Soulajé ! soulajé do a Katalina Si an té rich an or é an arjan An té ké poté bonbon pou lé répondé Soulajé ! soulajé do a Katalina Si au kay monté wi dan mat kokagn Alé volé lajan a po ti-Rèla Soulajé ! soulajé do a Katalina Woy ! Alino mésyé pa menné-nou alé Soulajé ! soulajé do a Katalina An ka chonjé lendi 14 jiye tousa I abo mo a manman-mwen Soulajé ! soulajé do a Katalina Soulajé do a Katalina Lé malaba pa menné mwen alé ! RADdO : 06396.

RELIEVE ! RELIEVE CATALINA'S BACK Relieve! Relieve Catalina's back. You! Dédé et Eloi (1), play the drum (lit. Hit on the drum) Relieve! Relieve Catalina's back. If I were rich with gold and silver, I'd have brought candies for the responders/answerers (2). Relieve! Relieve Catalina's back. If you climb the mast, Go and steal the money from poor little Réla Relieve! Relieve Catalina's back. Oh ! Alinor, don't take me away, Relieve! Relieve Catalina's back. I remember Monday 14th of July, All those who where present when my mother died Relieve! Relieve Catalina's back. Relieve Catalina's back. Muscle men, don't take me away !

(1) Dédé: pet name for André (Andrew), Eloi = Eligius
(2) I suppose they're the ones who answer in a call-and-answer type of song. I don't know what you call them -the guys I mean. In everyday life a "répondeur" is an answering machine.


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:06 PM

SAINT BARTHELEMY

PAR UN SAMEDI Z'AU SOIR M'EN ALLANT VOIR LA BELLE (French) Par un samedi z'au soir m'en allant voir la belle (bis) M'en allant voir la belle par amitié. (bis) "Oh si tu viens me voir par amitié (bis) Je me rendrai rose dans un rosier De moi tu n'auras pas nullement d'agrément." "Oh si tu te rends rose dans un rosier (bis) Je me rendrai arrosoir pour t'arroser J'arroserai, la belle, par amitié." "Oh si tu te rends arrosoir pour m'arroser (bis) Je me rendrai carpe dans une étang De moi tu n'auras pas nullement d'agrément." "Oh si tu te rends carpe dans une étang (bis) Je me rendrai pêcheur pour te pêcher Je pêcherai la belle par amitié." "Oh si tu te rends pêcheur pour me pêcher (bis) Je me rendrai étoile au firmament De moi tu n'auras pas nullement d'agrément." "Si tu te rends étoile au firmament (bis) Je me rendrai nuage pour te couvrir Je couvrirai, la belle, par amitié." "Oh si tu te rends nuage pour me couvrir (bis) Je me rendrai malade de sur mon lit De moi tu n'auras pas nullement d'agrément." "Oh si tu te rends malade de sur ton lit (bis) Je me rendrai médecin pour te guérir Je guérirai, la belle, par amitié." "Oh si tu te rends médecin pour me guérir (bis) Je me rendrai morte sur mon lit blanc De moi tu n'auras pas nullement d'agrément." "Oh si tu te rends morte sur ton lit blanc (bis) Je me rendrai Saint-Pierre en paradis Je t'ouvrirai la porte par amitié." "Puisque tu m'as conduit jusqu'au paradis (bis) Tiens voilà mon cœur tu l'as bien mérité." (bis) Coirault : 1528 Les métamorphoses. Laforte : IV, Ma-7 Les métamorphoses. RADdO : 00602.

ON A SATURDAY EVENING A-GOING TO SEE THE FAIR LADY On a Saturday evening a-going to see the fair lady (twice) A-going to see the fair lady out of love (1). (twice) "Oh, if you come to see me out of love (twice) I will become a rose in a rosebush, From me you will get no amenity." (2) "Oh, if you become a rose in a rosebush (twice) I will become a watering can to water you, I will water, fair lady, out of love." "Oh, if you become a watering can to water me (twice) I will become a carp in a pond From me you will get no amenity." "Oh if you become a carp in a pond (twice) I will become a fisher to fish you I will fish, fair lady, out of love." "Oh, if you become a fisher to fish me (twice) I will become a star in the firmament From me you will get no amenity." "Oh if you become a star in the firmament (twice) I will become a cloud to cover you I will cover, fair lady, out of love." "Oh, if you become a cloud to cover me (twice) I will become ill upon my bed From me you will get no amenity." "Oh if you become ill upon your bed (twice) I will become a physician to cure you I will cure, fair lady, out of love." "Oh, if you become a physician to cure me (twice) I will become dead on my white bed From me you will get no amenity." "Oh if you become dead on your white bed (twice) I will become Saint Peter in paradise I will open the gate for you out of love." "Since you led me as far as paradise (twice) Here is my heart for you, you've well deserved it." (twice).

(1) Amitié (friendship) could mean love (Cf the end of some versions of À la claire fontaine)
(2) It translates literally as "you won't have no amenity" and is as grammatically incorrect as in English.

A similar song and a Provençal one can be found on this Mudcat thread

You can hear an excerpt here


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:11 PM

NEW CALEDONIA

WE BWAAM NGA TAARU (Native language, but which one???) We bwaam nga Taaru Fwâ ne do moo ra ta nga Ne do ta nga Kaledoni Do ra ga hma raa huyi Do ra thuyi we jakhu lem We jakhu lem maan hio Pei Kaavo ma Peni Pei hpmaa veli ceek Vehi thoogec po mac Ve tiwa pwen a thi le we Ye the pe phue run dalik Phue ra taa cada Ye taa cada nem nga hun Bwaan ai ye le u fhe Ye le u fhe na nem paac Fhe da le paac u Giom Yele tigic nem Katoos.

POOR DADDY Poor Daddy, When you leave To go back to Caledonia, When you arrive you'll tell, You'll tell the story, The story of the elder sister and her younger brother Of Kaavo and of Peni. There was a tree, The deadly sea mango. Its fruit fell down in the water, It's tossed by the waves. Tossed, it's arrives and lands. It comes alongside the large land (i.e. France) Poor thing, they took it, They set it into the war. William set it into the war, The chains of the 14-18 war.

Sea mango


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:14 PM

WALLIS AND FUTUNA

1. Soko mai 'aso lalasi Kua lava teutasi Kua lava filifili Kua noa le tui Ko leia lakaga Na lava lautī Laututu mo ni taga Masaesae fuli Ka na iai ni osi na tou kai kulī. 2. Kua fakamāsani le vali kula e fai Kua pena pe se vaka E pe ma papālagi Pena mati'ininia fakakula fuli ai Toe pena mo le gutu Fakakula mo le 'ulu Oi ku se siki mai pe se pano e tu'u. 3. Malama uila, tou 'aga fiafia Otatou ne'a fuli na faifaitalisa Ko leia lakaga na fafa taume Laga taka faliava Kua taka tu'ete leinei lakaga. 4. Kua kau manatu'i Ki lo'oku 'iki'iki I temi oge fuli Loku fia ma'uli Tuku laku 'uaina Kua tae mai Ko le temi leinei Kua kai pane vali. 5. Tuku mu'a ke fakamatala Tuku mu'a ke fakamatala Atātou 'ano'aga Mo leia lakaga Sulu mai okotou lava Fakafiti fakatoga Kua sulu fakasa'amoa Ko Uvea mo Futuna Na mativa mo koloa.

IMAGES FROM NOW AND YESTERYEARS 1 – Celebrations costumes Celebrations days come near, We put our costumes on. We have the choice. We put the traditional outfits aside. Yesteryears We would dress with cordyline leaves, With Broussonetia bark and with torn Bags. There were horse and we would eat dog. 2 Make up We took the habit to make up in red. We paint ourselves like a boat That looks like the Europeans ones. We polish our nails in red And we also paint our mouths. We dye our hair red, It looks like a standing board/sign (1) 3 Lighting and shoes There is electric light, we rejoice. We do whatever we (once) fancied. In the past we would carry torches, We would weave sandals with creepers, Now we wear shoes. 4 Famine and abundance I remember, When I was little In times of famine, My urge to live. Nothing left to eat That we could gather. And now We eat buttered bread. 5 Poverty and wealth. Let me tell you, Let me tell you Our way of life At that time. You wear your grass skirt The Fijian way (or) the Tongan way. We wear it the Samoan way. Wallis and Futuna Had few ressources/wealth (?).

Cordyline
Broussonetia
(1) There's no way to know if "panneau" means road sign or an ad board.
You can hear an excerpt here.

END OF CD 9


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 05:45 AM

Now, last but not least, CD #10, America's French that you can hear here
(Leaflet)

I didn't write the names of the places in very big and blue because while the songs from CD #9 were sorted by places, those aren't so the names of the places are not "chapter titles".


LOUISIANA

Story Dans le vieux temps, quand il y avait un jeune garçon qui courtisait la fille, quand il arrivait… il allait courtiser la fille à cheval... il amarrait le cheval au poteau puis quand la nuit voulait prendre, si le jeune homme était accepté par les parents, le papa prenait le cheval du jeune homme, il allait puis lui donnait à manger à l'écurie, il faisait boire… tout ça était fait, puis il venait, puis il sellait le cheval encore puis il l'amarrait au poteau. Et ça, ça voulait dire que le jeune homme était bienvenu chez les parents de la fille qu'il courtisait.

In old times, when a young man courted a girl, when he arrived… he would ride to court the girl… he tied the horse to the post then when night was on its way, if the young man was accepted by the parents, the father took the horse then fed it in the stable, watered it… when he was done, he went back then saddled the horse again, then tied it to the post. And this meant that the young man was welcome in the house of the parents of the girl he courted.

The story above kind of explains the song below

LOUISIANA

J'AI FAIT L'AMOUR CHEZ L'ONC BAB (Cajun French) J'ai fait l'amour chez l'onc Bab Ça m'a coûté une livre de tabac. (bis) L'onc Bab a fumé jusqu'à Sa vieille pipe est 'venue rouge. (bis) Tante Bab a chiqué jusqu'à Son vieux menton est 'venu vert. (bis) Clémentine m'embêtait Et Ida veut pas de moi. Oh Prince, allons s'en aller Moi j'attrape les capots Et toi tu manges les poteaux. RADdO : 06398.

I COURTED AT UNCLE BAB'S I courted at uncle Bab's, It costed me a pound of tobacco. (twice) Uncle Bab smoked till His old pipe went red (twice) Aunt Bab chewed (tobacco) till Her old chin went green. (twice) Clementine was bothering me And Ida wouldn't want me. Oh, Prince, let us go, I grab my coats And you're eating the posts.

Sung to the same tune as "Farewell Angelina"
You can hear the recording here
You can hear it sung by Cajun Roosters3


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 05:53 AM

CANADA

MARGUERITE EST DANS SA CHAMBRE (French) Marguerite est dans sa chambre, elle pleure et elle soupire (bis) Sa mère s'en va la voir : "Oh, qu'as-tu Marguerite ?" Sa mère s'en va la voir : "Oh, qu'as-tu Marguerite ?" "Ah ! Je peux bien pleurer, oh car j'ai le cœur triste. Ah ! Je peux bien pleurer, oh car j'ai le cœur triste. Le jour je suis fille, et la nuit tant blanche biche. Le jour je suis fille, et la nuit tant blanche biche. Tous les chiens du château, tous les soirs me poursuivent. Tous les chiens du château, tous les soirs me poursuivent. Sont ceux de Renaud, sont ceux qui sont les pires. Sont ceux de Renaud, sont ceux qui sont les pires Allez-y donc chère mère, allez-y donc lui dire. Allez-y donc chère mère, allez-y donc lui dire." "Renaud, arrêt' tes chiens, c'est ta sœur Marguerite ! Renaud, arrêt' tes chiens, c'est ta sœur Marguerite !" Renaud prit son sifflet,; au bois il s'en va vite. Renaud prit son sifflet, au bois il s'en va vite. Il a sifflé trois coups sans qu' ses chiens purent entendre. Il a sifflé trois coups sans qu' ses chiens purent entendre. Du quatrième coup, la blanche biche est prise. Du quatrième coup, la blanche biche est prise. Ils l'emmènent su' l' cuisinier, pour qu'ils la faisiont cuire. Ils l'emmènent su' l' cuisinier, pour qu'ils la faisiont cuire. Quand ça v'nut au souper, au nom de Marguerite. Quand ça v'nut pour le souper, au nom de Marguerite. "Soupez, soupez, mon sieur, je suis la première en table. Soupez, soupez, mon sieur, je suis la première en table. Mon corps est dans vos plats, mon âme réjouie. Mon corps est dans vos plats, mon âme réjouie. Entre deux plats d'argent, mes pieds, mes mains sont mises. Entre deux plats d'argent, mes pieds, mes mains sont mises" Quand Renaud entend cela, il recula les vivres. Quand Renaud a entendu cela, il recula les vivres. "Ceux qui mang'ront d' ce souper mangeront des martyres. Ceux qui mang'ront d' ce souper mangeront des martyres." Renaud a pris son sabre; en trois coups z-il se frappe. Renaud a pris son sabre ; en trois coups z-il se frappe. Renaud a tombé mort, il tombe à la renverse. Coirault : 8910 La blanche biche. Laforte : I, B-01 La blanche biche. RADdO : 01463.

MARGARET IS IN HER BEDROOM Margaret is in her bedroom, she's crying and sighing (twice) Her mother goes to see her "What's the matter with you, Margaret?" Her mother goes to see her "What's the matter with you, Margaret?" "Ah! I can well cry, oh, for my heart is sad. "Ah! I can well cry, oh, for my heart is sad. By daylight I'm a girl, by night a white doe. By daylight I'm a girl, by night a white doe. All the castle hounds chase me every night. All the castle hounds chase me every night. Renaud's are the worst. Renaud's are the worst. Do go, my dear mother, go to tell him." Do go, my dear mother, do go to tell him." "Renaud, stop your hounds, it's your sister Margaret!" "Renaud, stop your hounds, it's your sister Margaret!" Renaud took his whistle and hurried to the wood. Renaud took his whistle and hurried to the wood. He whistled three times but his hounds couldn't hear. He whistled three times but his hounds couldn't hear. On the fourth time, the white doe was caught. On the fourth time, the white doe was caught. They take her to the cook so that they cook her. They take her to the cook so that they cook her. When supper time came, to Margaret's name, When supper time came, to Margaret's name, "Supper, supper, sir, I am the first at the table. "Supper, supper, sir, I am the first at the table. My body is in your dishes, my soul rejoiced. My body is in your dishes, my soul rejoiced. My feet, my hands were put in two silver dishes." My feet, my hands were put in two silver dishes." When Renaud heard this, he pushed his food away. When Renaud heard this, he pushed his food away. "Those who will eat of this supper will eat martyrs" "Those who will eat of this supper will eat martyrs" Renaud took his saber and by three times cut himself. Renaud took his saber and by three times cut himself. Renaud fell down dead, he fell flat on his back.

You can hear the recording here

There's already a Mudcat thread about it.

Videos: renditions with slightly different lyrics and/or tunes by Tri Yann, Malicorne, Keltia


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 05:57 AM

LOUISIANE

SUR LE NATCHITOCHES, IL Y A Z'UNE BRUNE (Cajun French) Sur le Natchitoches, il y a z'une brune À qui je veux lui faire fortune. J'ai que mes dimanches pour aller la voir. (bis) Et par un beau matin je me "feutre" allé Je l'ai trouvée sur son lit couchée. "Dormez belle, sommeillez-vous ? Belle et nos amours, je ne pense qu'à vous." "Oh non ni je dors ni je sommeille. Tout toute la nuit je suis privée. Mon cher amant, je ne pense qu'à vous Mon cher amant, tu marilleras nous ?" "J'irai me faire bâtir un ermitage Et yoù que mon manger serait d'herbages Et que ma boisson ce seraient des pleurs Pour deux amours qui vit en langueur. Et si que vous avez un z'habit à prendre Prenez le donc couleur de cendres. Parce que c'est la plus triste couleur Pour deux amours qui vit qu'en langueur." Coirault : 2605 Réveillez-vous belle endormie I & 4710 d° III. Laforte II, E-22 Réveillez-vous belle endormie. RADdO : 02479.

ON THE NATCHITOCHES On the Natchitoches, there's a brunette Whose fortune I want to make. I only have my Sundays to visit her (twice) And on a nice morning I went there I found her lying on her bed. "Are you sleeping, beauty, are you slumbering? My beauty and love, I think only of you." "Oh no, I neither sleep nor slumber. All night long I am deprived. My dear lover, I think only of you, My dear lover, will you marry me?" I will have an hermitage built, Where my only food were grass And my only drink were tears For two languishing loves. And if you must take a suit to wear, Do take it color of ashes Because it's the saddest color For two languishing loves."

You can hear the recording here
Recording by Zachary Richard
Melodeon rendition


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:06 AM

LOUISIANA

OH BONSOIR MOREAU (Cajun French) Oh bonsoir Moreau*, oh bonsoir Moreau Oh j'connais c'est l'heure j'm'en vas Oh bonsoir Moreau On a eu un bon temps Un bon temps toute la nuit Oh j' connais c'est l'heure j' m'en vas Oh bonsoir Moreau Oh, la lune après s' coucher Et le soleil après lever Et Caillette est pas tirée Oh bonsoir Moreau !

OH GOOD NIGHT MOREAU Oh, good night, Moreau, oh, good night, Moreau, Oh, I know, time is up, I'm leaving. Oh, good night Moreau, We had a great time, A great time all night long. Oh, I know, time is up, I'm leaving. Oh, good night Moreau, Oh the moon is about to set And the sun about to rise And Caillette wasn't milked Oh, good night Moreau!

*In Cajun French "Bonsoir Moreau" means "Good evening/night barman".

You can hear the recording here
Live rendition by Lise LeBlanc

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:15 AM

CANADA

I WENT TO MARKET (English and Quebec French) I went to market with a pania volant The first one I met (was) one fèye (d') on-avocat And I love you èt d'totes les manires And I love you mais vos vos m'aimez pas. The first one I met (was) one fèye (d') on-avocat I asked her for fifty cents and she said : "Je n'avos pas." I asked her for fifty cents and she said : "Je n'avos pas." She went upstairs po li trover sè papa She went upstairs po li trover sè papa She came downstairs : le bounhomme I n'èst pus là She came downstairs : le bounhomme I n'èst pus là I squeezed her so hard that I cassé les deux bras I squeezed her so hard that I cassé les deux bras And it cost me five hundred for to get-er les deux bras RADdO : 06399.

I WENT TO MARKET I went to the market in my shirttails, The first person I met was a lawyer's daughter. I love you in all and every ways I love you but you don't love me. The first person I met was a lawyer's daughter. I asked her fifty cents and she said she didn't have them. I asked her fifty cents and she said she didn't have them. She went upstairs to meet her daddy. She went upstairs to meet her daddy, She went downstairs and the man wasn't there. She went downstairs and the man wasn't there, I squeezed her so hard that I broke her two arms. I squeezed her so hard that I broke her two arms. It cost me five hundred for to get her her two arms.

You can hear the recording here
Gilles Vigneault's rendition, the lyrics are somewhat (!) different


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:19 AM

USA - WISCONSIN

N'AV'NÈN VÈYU MI P'TIT MUSICYIN (Walloon) N'av'nèn vèyu mi p'tit musicyin ? À l'dicauce (bis) N'av'nèn vèyu mi p'tit musicyin ? À l'dicauce c'èst s'nom. Il èstot d'dja on bon gamin Mins I n' choûteûve nén. Dj'a sayî à l'fé choûter Mins I n' v'leûve nén. Dj' l'a voyî aus tchamps avou lès (sès) vias Il a v'nu pire qui l'twa. Adon 'l a stî après les coméres Mins dj'ennè p'leûve rén. 'L'a pris pa l' djambe, 'l l'a foutu su l'lét Po qwè fé, vos l'savoz bén ! Après ça, il l'a r'pèté Ça, ça n' payeûve nén. Après ça, 'l a ieû on gamin Sav' bén c'èst qu'èle l'a lomé ? N'av'nèn vèyu mi p'tit musicyin ? À l'dicauce c'èst s' nom. RADdO : 06400.

DIDN'T YOU SEE MY LITTLE MUSICIAN Didn't you see my little musician? "At the fair". Didn't you see my little musician? "At the fair" is his name. He already was a good boy But he wouldn't obey. I tried to make him obey But he didn't want to. I sent him to the fields with the calves He turned out worse than the bull. Then he chased women But I couldn't help it. He took her by her leg, threw her on the bed, To do what? You do know it! After than he knocked her up, It wasn't worthwhile. After that, he had a boy. Do you know how she called him? Didn't you see my little musician? "At the fair" is his name.

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:22 AM

CANADA

PAR DERRIÈRE CHEZ MON PÈRE (Quebec French) Par derrière chez mon père, en allant nous promener J'ai trouvé l'eau si belle que je me suis baigné, oh hé Y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je t'oublierai, oh hé Y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je t'oublierai J'ai trouvé l'eau si belle que je me suis baigné À la plus haute branche, le rossignol chantait, oh hé Y a longtemps… À la plus haute branche, le rossignol chantait "Chante, rossignol, chante, toi qu'as le cœur si gai, oh hé Toi qu'as le cœur si gai, moi je l'ai t'à pleurer Pour un bouton de rose que je l'ai refusé, oh hé Pour un bouton de rose que je l'ai refusé Je voudrais que la rose fuit encore au rosier, oh hé Je voudrais que la rose fuit encore au rosier Et ma chermante belle fuit dans mon lit couché, oh hé Je voudrais que ma belle fuit dans mon lit couché Par un baiser de bouche que je l'ai réveillée, oh hé " Coirault : 3415 En revenant des noces. Laforte : I, G-10 A la claire fontaine. RADdO : 00004.

BEHIND MY FATHER'S HOUSE Behind my father's house, a-going to stroll, I found the water so fine that I bathed in it, oh hey I've been loving you for so long, I'll never forget you, oh hey, I've been loving you for so long, I'll never forget you. I found the water so fine that I bathed in it, On the top branch, the nightingale was singing, oh hey. I've been loving you for so long… On the top branch, the nightingale was singing. "Sing, nightingale, sing, you who have such a cheerful heart, oh hey. "You who have such a cheerful heart, mine is weeping. For a rose bud that I denied her, oh hey. For a rose bud that I denied her, I'd want the rose to be still on the bush, oh hey. I'd want the rose to be still on the bush, And my fine lady fair to be lying in my bed, oh hey. I'd want my fine lady fair to be lying in my bed. And to wake her with a kiss on the mouth, oh hey."

You can hear the recording here


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:28 AM

CANADA

LES POUTINES DANS L' POTTE (Quebec French) Les poutines dans l' potte Tadiyatahé J'ai pris une fourchette Tadiyataho    C'est pour les tremper Tadiyatahé Elles n'étiont pas cuites Tadiyataho RADdO : 06401.

THE POUTINES IN THE POT The poutines in the pot Tadiyatahé I took a fork Tadiyataho    It was to dip them Tadiyatahé They weren't done Tadiyataho

You can hear the recording here
Wiki article about poutine


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:31 AM

CANADA

EN ARRIÈRE DE CHEZ MON PÈRE (Quebec French) En arrière de chez mon père, il y a t'un oranger, le voilà (bis) Nous irons, nous boirons, nous tarirons les verres et nous les remplirons (bis) L'en était tellement chargé que les branches en touchent terre, le voilà (bis) Nous irons, nous boirons… Elle passe de branche en branche, elle choisit la plus belle, le voilà (bis) Le premier qui m' les marchande, c'est le fils de l'avocat, le voilà (bis) Il m'en achète une douzaine, il m' les a jamais payées, le voilà (bis) Il m'envoie de chez la banque et la banque était fermée, le voilà (bis) Il m'envoie chez l'avocat, chez le fils de l'avocat (bis) Et le fils de l'avocat, l'en était tellement pas là, le voilà (bis) Je me moque de la banque et le fils de l'avocat, le voilà (bis) Coirault : 2205 La marchande d'oranges chez l'avocat. Laforte : I, H-1 La fille aux oranges. RADdO : 00336.

BEHIND MY FATHER'S HOUSE Behind my father's house, there's an orange tree, here it is. (twice) We'll go, we'll drink, we'll empty our glasses and we'll fill them (twice) It was so much loaded with them that the branches touched the ground, here it is. (twice) We'll go, will drink,…. She went from branch to branch, she chose the finest one, here it is. (twice). The first one to haggle them with me was the lawyer's son, here it his. (twice) He bought me a dozen, he never paid me for them, here it is. (twice) He sent me to the bank and the bank was closed, here it is. (twice), He sent me to the lawyer's, to the lawyer's son's, here it is (twice) And the lawyer's son wasn't there at all, here it is (twice) I don't care for the bank and the lawyer's son, here it is (twice)

You can hear the recording here
Recording here by Zachary Richard.


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:37 AM

USA

L'EST DANS LES TEMPS DU PREMIER JOUR DE L'AN (American French) (Parlé :) "Attendez voir… You mean you want me to sing the whole song?" "No, just a verse, just a verse…" "Oh…" L'est dans les temps du premier jour de l'an Mais pour les fêtes en parents J'ai rempli mon verre Pour qu'i' nous réveille T'as bien faite la ronde, t'as pas beaucoup baissé Si ça ça contine j'crés qu'ça va bien aller J' haïs la boisson, j' haïs la boisson Mais j'haïs pas d'en prendre un p'tit coup Un p'tit coup à boire Pour qu'i' nous réveille T'as bien faite la ronde t'as pas beaucoup baissé Si ça ça contine y aura personne de saoul (Parlé :) "That means if it keeps on there will be nobody drunk !" Oh mes amis, oh tu m'as fait plaisir D'avoir fait la ronde t'as pas beaucoup baissé D'avoir fait la ronde Pour qu'i' nous réveille T'as bien faite la ronde t'as pas beaucoup baissé Si ça ça contine j'crés qu'ça va bien aller RADdO : 06402

IT WAS AROUND THE NEW YEAR DAY (Spoken): "Wait… You mean you want me to sing the whole song?" "No, just a verse, just a verse…" "Oh..." It was around New Year day, But for the family parties/gatherings, I filled my glass So that it boosts us. You made a good round, you didn't drink much (1), If it keeps on like this, I think it's going to be fine. I hate drinking, I hate drinking (2) But I don't hate to drink a glass, To drink a glass So that it boosts us. You made a good round, you didn't drink much, If it keeps on like this, nobody will be drunk. (Spoken) "That means if it keeps on there will be nobody drunk!" Oh my friends, oh, you made me glad From having made the round, you didn't drink much From having made the round So that it boosts us. You made a good round, you didn't drink much, If it keeps on like this, nobody will be drunk.

(1) I'll tell you honestly that this line puzzles me and I'm not sure at all that it means what I wrote because…
- "tu as bien faite la ronde" does mean literally "you made a good round" but is it about paying a drink to everybody or just dancing in a round
- "t'as pas beaucoup baissé"… "you didn't ---- much" ; the root of the verb is "bas" = "low", so it could mean "you didn't drink much so the level in your glass hasn't lowered much" –that's what I chose- but also you danced in a round and you're still in good shape (hence you're still good at dancing). What made me choose the first meaning is the line about "nobody will be drunk".
(2) meaning "boozing"

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:48 AM

CANADA

PAR UN DIMANCHE AU SOIR, EN M'EN ALLANT VEILLER (Quebec French) Par un dimanche au soir, en m'en allant veiller (bis) J'ai rencontré Lisette qui allait s'y baigner Gai faluré maridondaine, gai faluré maridondé (bis) J'ai rencontré Lisette qui allait s'y baigner (bis) Mit son p'tit pied à l'eau, son p'tit cœur s'est noyé Gai faluré… Elle alla s'échouer à l'ombre d'un vert pommier "Beau pommier, beau pommier, toi qu'es chargé de fleurs Ça prend qu'un petit vent pour enlever tes fleurs Ça prend qu'un voyageur pour avoir son p'tit cœur." Coirault : 1720 La baigneuse qui dialogue avec le pommier. Laforte, I, L-1 La fille qui se noie. RADdO : 02343.

ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, GOING TO AN EVENING GATHERING On a Sunday evening, going to an evening gathering, I met Lisette who was going to take a bath. Gai faluré maridondaine, gai faluré maridondé (bis) I met Lisette who was going to take a bath. She put her little foot in the water, her little heart drowned Gai faluré… She ended up in the shadow of a green apple tree "Fine apple tree, fine apple tree, you who are loaded with flowers It only takes a little wind to take your flowers away. It only takes a little traveler to get one's little heart."

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:58 AM

CANADA

LES PETITS SAINT PIERRE SONT PLUS RICHES QUE LES ÉVÊQUES (French) Les petits Saint Pierre sont plus riches que les évêques (bis) Et le dimanche commencent la semaine Salutaire fa fa fa, j'ai pas perdu ma femme Soit dit entre nous, Saint-Pierre est toujours chauve ! Le lundi ils font une fête. Le mardi, ils ont mal à la tête Le mercredi, levaient la chopinette. Le jeudi, ils vont voir les maîtresses. Le vendredi, ils s' passent la navette. Le samedi, la semaine est bien faite. Le dimanche, ils vont à la basse messe. Quand y ont l' temps, y r'tournent à la grand messe ! Coirault : 6414 La semaine ouvrière. Laforte : IV, Ca-10 La semaine ouvrière. RADdO : 01230.

THE LITTLE SAINT PIERRE ARE RICHER THAN THE BISHOPS The little Saint Pierre are richer than the bishops (twice) And on Sunday they start the week Salutary fa fa fa, I didn't lose my wife Between you and me, Saint Peter is always/still bald! On Monday they have a party On Tuesday, they have a headache. On Wednesday they had a drink. On Thursday, they go to see their mistresses On Friday, they have the shuttle going On Saturday, the week is over. On Sunday, they go to low mass. When they have time, they go back for high mass!

You can hear the recording here
There's a lightly different version of this song on CD 7 (Cf. the Mudcat post about it)

If someone has an idea about who these "Saint Pierre" can be... I could find no link between St Peter and weavers, he doesn't seem to be their patron saint anywhere. I also thought that the song could have been adapted to make fun of people from Saint Pierre and Miquelon...


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:01 AM

CANADA

DERRIÈRE CHEZ NOUS IL Y A UN JOLI BOCAGE (French) Derrière chez nous il y a un joli bocage, Rempli de fleurs et de rosiers d'amour (bis) Je te trouve toujours jolie, Mais pourtant tu n'es pas pour moi (bis) "Te souviens-tu la soirée adorable, Là je t'aimais pour la première fois ?" (bis) Je te trouve toujours jolie… "Comment veux-tu, cher amant que je t'aime, Tous mes parents me défendent de t'aimer !" (bis) "J'ai fait graver sur l'écorce d'un hêtre, Ton nom, le mien, ton aimable portrait." (bis) RADdO : 06403.

BEHIND OUR HOUSE THERE IS A PRETTY WOOD Behind our house there is a pretty wood Full of flowers and love rosebushes (twice) I still find you pretty Though you aren't for me (twice) "Do you remember the lovely evening, When I loved you for the first time? (twice) I still find you … "How do you want me, dear lover, to love you, All my relatives forbid me to love you!" (twice) "I had carved in the bark of a beech Your name, mine, your lovely portrait." (twice)

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:06 AM

CANADA - ONTARIO

NOUS SOMMES TRENTE-TROIS (Canadian French) Nous sommes trente-trois, Tous voleurs d'une bande Et moi le capitaine le maître des voleurs Je marche à la tête comme un vrai gouverneur. Un jour me voilà pris Dedans une embuscade J'ai beau crier "Alarme" et personne ne m'entend Avant de me faire entendre dans les prisons je m' fus dedans. Un jour mes petits enfants Ils demandent à leur mère Ma mère ma bonne mère où poupa est allé V'là bien cinq ou six semaines qu'on n'entend plus parler. Mes bons petits enfants Portez-moi patience Il est à la potence en prison en tourments Les monsieurs de la justice vont y rendre jugement. J'ai trois barriques d'or Portez-les-t-au roi d' France Et au roi de Paris Enfin qu'il prenne soin de ma femme mes petits enfants aussi. J'ai trois petits enfants D'une tendre et jolie femme D'une tendre jolie femme qu'est parfaite en beauté Si elle a eu du malheur c'est d' m'avoir rencontré. Coirault : 9502 Le libertin. Laforte : II,A-62 Le voleur dans les églises. RADdO : 00658.

WE ARE THIRTY THREE We are thirty-three, All thieves in a gang, And I, the captain, the master of the thieves, Walk at the head like a real governor. One day, I am caught In an ambush. Even if I cried "Alarm" nobody heard me Before they heard me, I was in jail. One day my little children Ask their mother "Mother, my good mother, where has daddy gone It's well been five or six weeks since we haven't heard of him. My good little children Have patience with me He's on the gallows, in jail, in torments, The justice gentlemen are going to judge him. I have three barrels of gold, Bring them to the king of France And to the king of Paris So that he takes care of my wife and of my little children too. I have three little children From a tender and pretty wife, From a tender, pretty wife who's perfect in beauty. The misfortune she had is to have met me.

You can hear the recording here

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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:14 AM

LOUISIANA

ALLONS À LAFAYETTE (Cajun French) Allons à Lafayette mais pour changer ton nom. On va t'appeler madame, madame Canaille Comeaux ! Petite, t'es trop mignonne pour faire ta criminelle ! Comment tu crois mais moi j' peux faire mais moi tout seul ? Mais toi, mais joli cœur, 'garde donc mais quoi t'as fait ! Si loin comme moi j' su' d' toi, mais ça, ça m' fait pitié !

LET'S GO TO LAFAYETTE Let's go to Lafayette to have your name changed, They're going to call you Mrs, Mrs Canaille (1) Comeaux! Girl, you're too cute to do wrong things. How can you think that I can manage alone. But you, my pretty heart, look what you've done! I am so far from you, but that makes me sad.

(1) Canaille means rascal, mischievous

You can hear the recording here
Wiki article about the song

Full lyrics and English translation (The lyrics must still have a copyright)

Recordings


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Subject: RE: The French 'Voice of the People' set
From: Monique
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:25 AM

CANADA - NEW BRUNSWICK

NOUS SOMMES PARTIS TROIS JEUNES FRÈRES À L'ÉCOLE DE PARIS (French*) Nous sommes partis trois jeunes frères à l'école de Paris. (bis) On a à peine mis le pied en Pontoise, prisonniers nous ont été pris. (bis) On n'avait rien qu'un frère qui gouvernait dans Paris S'il savait notre misère, il serait bientôt z'ici. Il a à peine achevé la parole, leur gentil frère arrivait (bis) "Bonjour donc, dame de Pontoise, mes écoliers sont-ils ici ?" (bis) "Non, oh non, beau gentilhomme, ils sont allés aux penderies." (bis) "Dites-moi donc, dame de Pontoise, j'aurai-t-y le temps d' les voir en vie ?" (bis) "Non, oh non, beau gentilhomme, vous allez trop lentement !" (bis) Il débarque sur sa Climène (1), il monte sur son cheval blanc Il touchit (2) z'à tour de bride, son cheval va comme le vent. Quand il fut sur ces rigoles, son cheval suivait le sang Quand il fut sur ces montagnes, il vit ses trois frères pendant. Ils aviont (3) sur l'épaule droite tous chacun un mouchoir blanc Ils aviont sur l'épaule gauche tous chacun un pigeon blanc. Il mit l'pied dedans l'échelle, il coupit (2) les trois tirants Et au bout de trois quarts d'heure, ses trois frères étaient vivants. "Dites-moi donc, sire beau juge, dites-moi donc votre jugement." "Dites-moi donc, sire beau sire, c'est-y quelqu'un de vos parents ?" "Y en a deux qui sont mes frères et l'autre c'est mon cousin germain Si jamais j' mets l' pied en Pontoise, je mettrai tout feu à sang. Si jamais j' mets l' pied en Pontoise, je mettrai tout feu à sang Toutes les dames de la ville crieront grâce pour ces innocents !" Coirault : 9601 Les écoliers de Pontoise. Laforte :I, B-14, Les écoliers pendus. RADdO : 03917.

WE, THREE YOUNG BROTHERS, WENT TO SCHOOL IN PARIS We, three young brothers, went to school in Paris (twice) We'd hardly set a foot in Pontoise, they caught us as prisoners (wice) We had only one brother who ruled in Paris, If he knew of our misfortune, he'd soon be here. He had hardly finished to speak (when) their nice brother arrived "Good day, then, Pontoise lady, are my students here?" "No, oh no, fine gentleman, they are at the gallows." "Tell me then, Pontoise lady, will I have time to see them alive?" "No, oh no, fine gentleman, you're going too slowly!" He disembarked from his Climène, he mounted on his white horse, He spurred on intensively, his horse went like the wind. When he was in these valleys, his horse followed the blood, When he was on these mountains, he saw his three brothers hanging. They all had a white handkerchief on their right shoulder They all had a white dove on their left shoulder. He set a foot on the ladder, he cut the three ropes And after three quarters of an hour, his three brothers were alive. "Do tell me, sir nice judge, do tell me your judgement." "Do tell me, sir nice sir, are they some relatives of yours?" "Two of them are my brothers and the other is my first cousin, If I ever set a foot in Pontoise, I'll put everything to fire and sword. If I ever set a foot in Pontoise, I'll put everything to fire and sword. All the ladies of the town will cry mercy for those innocent persons.

* From wherever the song originated in.
(1) The name of his ship.
(2) 2nd group verbs preterit tense endings applied to 1st group verbs.
(3) Ditto for this form of imperfect tense.

You can hear the recording here
Graver la parole "Recording the speech" is a collection of Francophone Canadians' recordings about many topics and this is the link to the songs section. The sound files are .ram files and most read that it's an excerpt.

END OF CD#10
END OF THE WHOLE SET

I'd want to thank Q for helping me with his valuable and extended knowledge.

Now you guys out there feel free to put that in proper English.


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