“Quand le Boiteuse Va-t-au Marche (When the Lame One goes to Market)”

Description

French shanty. No particular story, each verse line is repeated as a refrain. Full Chorus: "Ah! ma doue, quel tr?sor d'avoir ?pouse (2x), Un coeur tout en or!" "Oh, my dear, what treasure to have married, to have wed (2x) a heart of gold!"

Long description

French shanty. No particular story, each verse line is repeated as a refrain. Full Chorus: "Ah! ma doue, quel tr?sor d'avoir ?pouse (2x), Un coeur tout en or!" "Oh, my dear, what treasure to have married, to have wed (2x) a heart of gold!" Some of the verses are reminiscent of "The Fire Ship" in the use of naval euphemisms, i.e. (in translation) "and then he furls her petticoat, clewing up her lower sails," "then to get goin' the smart topman, send up her the main topmast."

References

  1. Hugill, pp. 514-515, "Quand le Boiteuse Va-t-au Marche" (2 texts-French & English, 1 tune)
  2. BI, Hugi514

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1927 (Hayet, _Chansons de bord_)
Found in: France