Un Canadien errant (Avec Patrice, Adrian et Melissa)

A French Canadian folksong by Antoine Gerin-Lajoie about the Upper Canada Exile - inspired by the stylings performed by Canadian band Whitehorse (lyrics and translation below).

Sadness and loneliness is prevalent in today's world. Many feel like outsiders to our country, just as the patriotic Canadian in this song. How relevant the sentiment ❤️ to our country's current state of affairs...

Merci Patrice et Adrian!!
Patrice Proulx - Harmonica and vocals
Melissa Setiawan- Guitar and vocals
Adrian Kaufmann - Guitar and arrangement

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.

"Ô jours si pleins d'appas
Vous êtes disparus,
Et ma patrie, hélas!
Je ne la verrai plus!

"Non, mais en expirant,
Ô mon cher Canada!
Mon regard languissant
Vers toi se portera..."



English translation

A wandering ‘Canadien’
Banished from his homeland
Travelled, weeping,
through foreign lands.

One day, sad and thoughtful,
Seated on the river’s bank
To the fleeing current
He spoke 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 sad gaze
Will go to you."