“Chanson de la Grenouillere ("Song of Frog Plain," Falcon's Song)”

Description

French: "Voulez-vous ecouter chanter Une chanson de verite?" Describes the Metis defense of their land against the English. Singer Pierre Falcon tells how the Metis defeated and pursued the English invaders

Notes

The Metis (French-Indian half-breeds; they called themselves Bois-Brules) had a difficult time in Canada, as neither English nor Indians, nor even the Voyageurs, had much use for them.

The Metis for a time gave as good as they got. When, in 1811, Lord Selkirk tried to establish a colony (mostly Scots who had lost their homes to sheep farms) on the Red River, the Metis constantly harassed the colony, and burned it more than once.

The Battle of Seven Oaks marked the climax of their efforts. Pierre Falcon (born 1793) was reported to be one of the Metis involved in the attack, and to have composed the song that very night. Whatever its origins, it became a Metis anthem, and was sung during Louis Riel's 1870 uprising (for which cf. "Riel's Song"). - RBW

Historical references

  • June 19, 1816 - Battle of Seven Oaks. Some 70 Metis horsemen under Cuthbert Grant encounter 28 Hudson's Bay Company men under Governor Semple on Frog Plain. Only six of Semple's men survive

Cross references

References

  1. Fowke/Mills/Blume, pp. 121-123, "Falcon's Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, FMB121

About

Author: Pierre Falcon
Earliest date: 1939
Found in: Canada