1. G (Bm) Em C D7 Un Canadien errant, banni de ses foyers (Bm) Un Canadien errant, banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant, des pays etrangers
Parcourait en pleurant, des pays etrangers
2. Un jour, triste et pensif, assis au bord des flots (2X) Au courant fugitif, il adressa ces mots: (2X)
3. "Si tu vois mon pays, mon pays malheureux, Va, dis a mes amis, que je me souviens d'eux.
4. "O jours si pleins d'appas vous etes disparus Et ma partie, helas! Je ne la verrai plus.
5. "Non, mais en expirant, Oh mon cher Canada Mon regard languissant vers toi se portera
NOTE: I've seen several attempts to translate this song into English, none of them capture the literal essence of the original, but here's one version by renowned Canadian folklorist Edith Fowke. It drops the repetitions of the French version, thus reducing the song to three verses.
1. 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:
2. "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 that beloved land that I will see no more
3. "My own beloved land I'll not forget 'til death And I will speak of her with my last dying breath My own beloved land I'll not forget 'til death And I will speak of her with my last dying breath."
