POT-POURRI FRANCO-CANADIEN

Translations

Dans la prison de Londres

In London Prison, there was a prisoner
No one came to see him except the jailer’s daughter
“Tell me, beautiful one, tomorrow I die…
Since I die tomorrow, untie my feet.”
As soon as his feet were untied, into the sea he threw himself
“If I ever come back, yes, I will marry her!”

Hirondelle

Ah, you beautiful swallow who flies here,
Have you not seen my Alexis among these islands?
Who has gone on his travels these long days,
He will give you news of his return.

The bird, so gracious, took flight.
In its delicate plumage, it went.
Crossing seas and land, without tiring,
Tall upon the mast of a ship came to rest.

The lover, full of surprise, heard him speak
Received the good news of his beloved
“Tell her, beautiful swallow,  That I will remain faithful to her until my return.”

Wing-tra-la

On the road, I met a kind gentleman
He spoke to me of romance, I told him to come in
Wing-tra-la…

“Sir, take a chair. Sir, come in and talk.”
“I don’t want a chair! I want to get married!”
Wing-tra-la…

With the most beautiful girl in the neighborhood
Her father, who was listening on, began to rage
Wing-tra-la…

“I won’t give my daughter to a vile tailor
Because with his needles, he might prick her!”
Wing-tra-la…

The tailor went away, cursing his trade
“I would be married if it weren’t for my needles!”
Wing-tra-la…