A Fransaskois from Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, she was a member of the folk music band Folle Avoine in the 1970s. Her brother Paul Campagne and sisters Suzanne Campagne, Michelle Campagne and Annette Campagne, her bandmates in Folle Avoine, have also continued in music with the folk band Hart-Rouge.
She, along with Connie Kaldor, received a Juno Award at the 1989 Award ceremony in the category Best Children's Album for Lullaby Berceuse.
In 2013, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada "for her contributions as a singer, songwriter and composer enhancing music for young children and using music in French-language education".
She died of cancer at age 58 on July 4, 2018, in Willow Bunch.
La vache à l'école
Carmen Campagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Êtes-vous prêt à chanter avec moi?
Oui
Alors commencez en claquant des doigts, comme ça
Je vais à l′étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J'prends un p′tit banc pour tirer ma vache
J'prends un sceau d'eau pis j′y jette en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés bien dur
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Puis maintenant, on va tirer la grosse, grosse vache, tout le monde
Je vais à l′étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J'prends un gros banc pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J′prends un sceau d'eau pis j′y jette en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés bien dur
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Puis maintenant, on va tirer la toute petite vache
Je vais à l'étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J′prends un p'tit banc pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J'prends un sceau d′eau pis j′y jette en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés bien dur
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Une dernière fois ensemble, tout le monde
Je vais à l'étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J′prends un p'tit banc pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
J′prends un sceau d'eau pis j′y jette en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés bien dur
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Bravo les enfants
Vous avez bien chanté
The song "La vache à l'école" by Carmen Campagne is a fun and upbeat children's song that encourages audience participation through clapping of the hands. The song follows a simple storyline of trying to pull a cow out of the barn, and using different methods, such as a small and big bench, along with water, to no avail. The choruses of the song break down the size of the cow being pulled and repeats the failed attempts of pulling it out. It ends with a round of applause for the children's efforts.
The song promotes a playful and active learning environment for children, which is supported by the use of sound effects such as cow moos, and the use of descriptive language such as "les deux yeux bouchés" (the two eyes tightly shut). The lyrics assist in developing fine motor skills through the clapping of the hands and provide an opportunity for children to improve their memory through repetition of the lyrics.
Overall, "La vache à l'école" is a fantastic way to engage children with music in a fun and interactive way. Beyond just entertainment, the song promotes a learning environment for children to develop essential skills, including physical and cognitive development.
Line by Line Meaning
Bonjour les enfants (bonjour)
Greeting the children and confirming their readiness to sing along
Êtes-vous prêt à chanter avec moi?
Asking the children if they are ready to sing along
Oui
Children's affirmative response to sing along
Alors commencez en claquant des doigts, comme ça
Instructing the children to start by snapping their fingers
Je vais à l′étable pour tirer ma vache
Narrating the singer's attempt to pull the cow from the stable
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Failing to pull the cow from the stable
J'prends un p′tit banc pour tirer ma vache
Trying to pull the cow with a small bench
J'prends un sceau d'eau pis j′y jette en pleine face
Splashing water into the eyes of the cow
Les deux yeux bouchés bien dur
The cow's eyes being tightly shut due to the water splashed into them
Un bon chocolat chaud
A reward of hot chocolate
Puis maintenant, on va tirer la grosse, grosse vache, tout le monde
Encouraging the children to try and pull the biggest cow
J'prends un gros banc pour tirer ma vache
Using a large bench to try and pull the cow
J′prends un sceau d'eau pis j′y jette en pleine face
Splashing water into the eyes of the cow again
Puis maintenant, on va tirer la toute petite vache
Encouraging the children to now try and pull the smallest cow
J′prends un p'tit banc pour tirer ma vache
Using a small bench to try and pull the cow
Une dernière fois ensemble, tout le monde
Requesting the children to do one final attempt together
Bravo les enfants
Praising the children for their participation
Vous avez bien chanté
Complimenting the children for their good singing
Writer(s): Paul Campagne
Contributed by Anna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.