Help: Evil French Landlords' Song

Subject: Evil French Landlords' Song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 01:56 PM

Here's another song I've been researching over the years for my housing song book project. It's French-Canadian and my friend is trying to do a translation which while not literal will capture its spirit. How well is he doing is my question?

La Marche Des Proprietaires (The March of the Landlords)

This biting song is said to have been quite popular in French Canada during hard economic times. It was probably written during the 1930's and was first recorded by Alex Desmarteaux. The song was rediscovered by Pascal Gelinas while doing background research for the film "La Turlute des Anees Dures," and was recently reprinted in Chansons de Lutte et de Turlite. Once again it is apparent that the 1st of May was until quite recently the traditional day for lease renewal.

Anon. Circa 1930's As sung by Alex Desmarteaux

La Marche Des Proprietaires


De tous les rongeours qui vivent sur la terre
Dont l'role ici-bas est d'nous opprimer
Y'en a pas d'plus rats qu'les proprietaires
Dont voici l'refrain, a chaque premier d'mai:

Refrain:

Je t'augment'rai tant que j'pourrai,
Au premier d'mai, si ca t'plait pas,
Tu t'en iras ou tu voudras!

Quand l'plafond s'ecroule ou qu'les murs s'enlevant
Ou qu'l'eau des closets parfume le plancher,
Il dit, "Attendons qu'les autr's tuyaux crevent!"
Et en attendant, pour te consoler: (CHO)

Chez eux not' salaire s'en va toutes les s'maines
Les reparations pas l'loyer; ne baissent
Les proprietaires, qu'ils soient donc pas en peine,
Car l'anee prochaine afin d'te r'mercier.(CHO)


Free Translation by Charles Ipcar, 1985


The March of the Landlords


Of all the pests who live on this earth
Whose role is to oppress us each day
There are no rats worse than the landlords
Who serenade us on the first day of May:

Chorus:

Your rent I'll increase as much as I can
On the first day of May, if you please;
You can take it or leave it!
Prey make up your mind,
Or I'll change all the locks and the keys! CHO

When the ceiling is falling and the wall paper peeling,
Or the toilet perfuming the floor;
They'll say, "Let's wait until the other pipes burst!"
And they'll sing to console you some more: (CHO)

Their houses are income which comes every week,
Your repairs do not sanction arrears;
The landlords, who scarcely do anything at all,
Give their thanks at the end of the year: (CHO)

Subject: RE: Help: Evil French Landlords' Song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 01:58 PM

Whoops, forgot to say in the above:

Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble