The name Bodh'aktan (pronounced Bod Ak Tan), is inspired by a Gaelic term for fisherman's boots or by the french pronunciation for the famous Acton boots Botte Acton. Many of the members wear kilts during their live and very energetic stage performances creating raucous party music using traditional and modern instruments.
Contre vents et marées
Bodh'Aktan Lyrics
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Un peu dans la brume,
J′lui racontais nos histoires d'infortune.
On a grandi sur le long des routes
Qu′on dit pavées d'or et non de banqueroutes.
De la gaspésie à Ville-Marie,
On se permet de rêver à la Californie,
Trop tôt le matin ou très tard dans la nuit.
On a rien à faire de ces oiseaux de malheur
Oui, notre objectif est clair et nous y arriverons.
On nous a dit qu′on arriverait à rien.
Qu'on n′serait pas maître de notre destin.
Et même que la vie se chargerait bien de nous foutre une baffe quelque part le long du chemin.
On a décidé contre vents et marées
Que rien arrêterait cette grande épopée
Et que l'histoire allait se rappeler
Que nous allions passer à la postérité.
On a rien à faire de ces oiseaux de malheur.
Oui, notre objectif est clair et nous y arriveront.
In the song Contre vents et marées, Bodh'Aktan tells the story of two people who have grown up on the road and have dreamed of going to California. The singer is speaking to someone in the haze of an evening when he tells him about their struggle to overcome adversity. They have been told that they will never make anything of themselves, that they will never be in control of their fate, and that life will always find a way to knock them down.
Despite all these obstacles, the singer and his friend have decided to push forward "contre vents et marées," against all odds, and make their way to California. They have nothing to lose and their goal is clear: they will make their mark in the world and leave a legacy that will be remembered long after they are gone.
The song is a tribute to perseverance, determination and the pursuit of dreams, even in the face of great adversity. It shows that no matter how many times life knocks you down, there is always a way to get back up and continue on the journey towards your goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Un soir chez eux,
On one evening at their home,
Un peu dans la brume,
Somewhat shrouded in mist,
J′lui racontais nos histoires d'infortune.
I was telling them of our tales of misfortune.
On a grandi sur le long des routes
We grew up along the roads
Qu′on dit pavées d'or et non de banqueroutes.
That they say are paved with gold, not bankruptcy.
De la gaspésie à Ville-Marie,
From Gaspésie to Ville-Marie,
On se permet de rêver à la Californie,
We allow ourselves to dream of California,
Couché sur ce qu'il reste d′un lit.
Lying on what's left of a bed.
Trop tôt le matin ou très tard dans la nuit.
Either too early in the morning or too late at night.
On a rien à faire de ces oiseaux de malheur
We have nothing to do with these birds of ill omen
Oui, notre objectif est clair et nous y arriverons.
Yes, our goal is clear and we will achieve it.
On nous a dit qu′on arriverait à rien.
We were told we would amount to nothing.
Qu'on n′serait pas maître de notre destin.
That we wouldn't be masters of our fate.
Et même que la vie se chargerait bien de nous foutre une baffe quelque part le long du chemin.
And even that life would make sure to slap us somewhere along the way.
On a décidé contre vents et marées
We decided against all odds
Que rien arrêterait cette grande épopée
That nothing would stop this great epic
Et que l'histoire allait se rappeler
And that history would remember
Que nous allions passer à la postérité.
That we would pass into posterity.
On a rien à faire de ces oiseaux de malheur.
We have nothing to do with these birds of ill omen.
Oui, notre objectif est clair et nous y arriveront.
Yes, our goal is clear and we will achieve it.
Writer(s): Alexandre Richard, Langlois Robert
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.