The Paddle Song

[66eagle 10]

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

[OldGreyEagle 5]

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

[Aquila calva 10]

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

 

 

 

[tcherven 10]

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.

[SSScout 1616]

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

 

Iz zere a franch vershaun of zeze song, Eh?

[Aquila calva 10]

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

 

 

[OldGrayOwl 10]

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)

[CaptRon010 10]

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.

[SSScout 1616]

Le Capitain Ron....

 

Aw, Aw, Aw,,,,

 

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

 

No fois gras por vous...