What is the origin of the Paddle Song and the meaning of the words?

Give us a few lines and chorus and lets see...

Welcome.... Is this it? Wonderful old song. See link below.

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5 THE PADDLE SONG

 

This song depicts French-Canadian Fur trappers going out to check on their traps by canoe. A suggestion for singing this song would be to sing it through several times, starting softly, getting louder as the "canoe" approaches, and then getting softer again as the canoe grows more distant.

 

 

(ROUND)

 

 

 

Our paddles Keen and bright,

 

Flashing like silver,

 

Swift as the wild goose flight,

 

Dip, dip, and swing.

 

 

 

Dip, dip, and swing them back,

 

Flashing like silver,

 

Swift as the wild goose flight.

 

Dip, dip, and swing.

 

http://usscouts.org/usscouts/songs/songbk2a.html

 

 

 

I have heard (from the voyageur camp near Grand Portage, MN) that the trappers used to sing as a way to paddle in rhythm, with each other, and in general.

Aw, aw, aw,,,,mon voyageur, he say...

 

Iz zere a franch vershaun of zeze song, Eh?

If you would like to hear a recording of this song, sung as a round (in English), go to the link below and click on number 8

 

My Paddles Keen & Bright.

 

http://cdbaby.com/cd/enzogarcia5

 

 

Here is another site where you can listen to it. http://www.michael-mitchell.ca/s_ciskvc2_land.mp3

 

(Edited since I found a better site for the song)(This message has been edited by OldGrayOwl)

If it were french, wouldn't it sound more like;

 

Dip, dip, raise up your hands

Give them your silver

Call for the USA to save us again

 

Oops... wrong forum.

Le Capitain Ron....

 

Aw, Aw, Aw,,,,

 

Zat is, 'ow you say, rich? N'cest pas?

 

No fois gras por vous...