“Le Sergent”
Description
Canadian French: The young boy runs off to America to fight the hated British. He joins the army and is made a sergeant, but is wounded and returns home. His father, who warned him against leaving, says "I told you so!"
Notes
During the American Revolution, the Colonials made an abortive attack on Canada, thinking that the French inhabitants would rebel against the British. It didn't happen; the French generally preferred the British (who at least guaranteed their religious liberty) to the unknown quantity that was the Americans. The Colonial assault failed before Quebec.
A few Canadians, however, decided they hated the British enough to return south with the Colonials and fight. As this song shows, those who stayed at home felt these soldiers to be more than a little foolish. - RBW
Historical references
- 1775-1776: American attack on Canada. The chief battle of the campaign was fought outside Quebec on December 31, 1775
References
- Fowke/Mills/Blume, pp. 60-61, "Le Sergent" (1 text, 1 tune)
- BI, FMB060