The king, out riding, inquires for whom this house is being built. The answer is the carpenter’s daughter. She is asked to promise never to have lovers. Never! She’d rather see the house burn down.

A very popular song, the second line of which gave the name to the Chéticamp Cultural Centre: “Il l’a fait batir a Trois Pignons.”

This recording of Mrs. Marie Deveaux, age 75, was collected by Dr. Elizabeth Beaton in Belle Marche, August 1978.

Mon Père A Fait Bâtir Maison, 1978. Marie Deveaux. T-1166. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

Joséphine’s lover takes leave for a long sailing voyage and she doubts his fidelity. He swears it, but in a final verse (missing in this version) he begs off to carouse with his buddies.

The singer and fiddler is Joseph Larade.

Joséphine. Joseph A. Larade. T-1355. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

A man comes across a young girl to whom he makes playful advances. She’s not interested, even after hearing of his material well being.

The song has suggestive double meanings.

Le Joli Petit Panier, 1978. Pat Aucoin. T-239, Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

A frigate is wrecked with fifty men aboard. A funeral is planned with the priest, naval officers, and candles.

The song’s title is named after the frigate. The singer is Hélène (née Martell) Landry of Petit De Grat.

Joli Coeur Du Rosier. Hélène Landry. T-2097, Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

A young woman, as a result of a thorny beginning and negative suggestions made about her by her suitor, rejects him in favour of unknown possibilities.

Fleur D’Épine, 1996. Lucy Doucet. T-3257. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

A young woman is worried that her lover, going off to sea, will be stolen from her by more glamorous women. He entreats her to be faithful, as he will return to make her happy.

L’Étoile Du Nord, 1996. Lucy Doucet. T-3257. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

The second of February is the Chandeleur, Candlemas, or The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Traditionally people would gather at a house, bringing lots of food. They sang, danced, and distributed the extra food they had brought to the poor.

In this selection, Pat Aucoin presents us with the first verse of the song which is a collage of bits and pieces, unrelated colourful scenes which, when set to lively music, are meant to evoke excitement. (Marie Deveaux performs a more extended version.) Through the lyrics, we are introduced to a “just married” couple who have not had supper yet.

This interview with Pat Aucoin was recorded by Dr. Elizabeth Beaton in Chèticamp, August 1978. He was 83 years old at the time.

Please refer to the Acadian song En Vous R’Merciant for another La Chandeleur piece.

Listen to an interview with Joe Delaney about La Chandeleur.

L’Escaouette, 1978. Pat Aucoin. T-239. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.