Un Canadien errant

Un Canadien errant by Antoine Gérin-Lajoie

A French Canadian song written in 1842 by after the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837-1838.

Original lyrics

Original French lyrics: Un Canadien errant, Banni de ses foyers, Parcourait en pleurant Des pays étrangers. Un jour, triste et pensif, Assis au bord des flots, Au courant fugitif Il adressa ces mots "Si tu vois mon pays, Mon pays malheureux, Va, dis à mes amis Que je me souviens d'eux. "O jours si pleins d'appas Vous êtes disparus, Et ma patrie, hélas! Je ne la verrai plus! "Non, mais en expirant, O mon cher Canada! Mon regard languissant Vers toi se portera . . ."

English Translation: An errant ‘Canadien’ Banished from his homeland Weeping, he travels on Wandering through foreign lands One sad and pensive day Seated on the river’s bank To the evasive current, Did he address these words: “If you should see my home My sad unhappy land Go, say to all my friends That I remember them "O days once so full of charm You are all gone away And my homeland, alas! I'll not see her again "No, but with my last breath O my dear Canada! My languid glance toward home Shall carry me to you"

English Version

This is the 1927 English version by John Murray Gibbon. It follows the same ABAB rhyme scheme of the original French and is singable, but it arguably sacrifices some accuracy and emotional depth in the translation. For example, the song was not written about a lad but a fully grown man, albeit a young one.

Once a Canadian lad, Exiled from hearth and home, Wandered, alone and sad, Through alien lands unknown. Down by a rushing stream, Thoughtful and sad one day, He watched the water pass And to it he did say: "If you should reach my land, My most unhappy land, Please speak to all my friends So they will understand.

Tell them how much I wish That I could be once more In my beloved land That I will see no more. "My own beloved land I'll not forget till death, And I will speak of her With my last dying breath. My own beloved land I'll not forget till death, And I will speak of her With my last dying breath."