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 au soleil
Carmen Campagne Lyrics
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Je vais à l'étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Je prends un petit banc pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Je prends un seau d′eau
Les deux yeux bouchés bien durs
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Ici Jacques Le-Meuh de retour avec ce reportage exclusif sur La Vache au soleil. Impossible d'obtenir une entrevue avec La Vache, parce qu′ici, on danse et c'est bien sûr La Vache qui mène la danse. Quoi, pardon? Si je danse? Oui mais...
Je vais à l′étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Je prends un petit banc pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Un seau d'eau en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés bien durs
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Je vais à l′étable pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Je prends un petit banc pour tirer ma vache
Pas capable de tirer ma vache
Un seau d'eau en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés bien durs
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
Un bon chocolat chaud
À nouveau, ici Jacques Le-Meuh pour Radio-Soleil International. C'est vraiment la fiesta ici, chers auditeurs. La Vache est en très grande forme. La voici qui danse "la vaca"!
Ah, je vais à l′étable
Je vais à l′étable pour tirer ma vache
Mais je suis pas capable
Je prends un petit banc
Je prends un petit banc pour tirer ma vache
Mais je suis pas capable
De tirer ma vache, tirer ma vache, tirer ma vache
Un seau d'eau en pleine face
Les deux yeux bouchés
Bouchés bien durs
Un bon chocolat chaud
Bon chocolat chaud
Ah la vaca
La vache bamba
Ah la vaca
Ah, je vais à l′étable
Je vais à l'étable pour tirer ma vache
Mais je suis pas capable
Je prends un petit banc
Je prends un petit banc pour tirer ma vache
Mais je suis pas capable
De tirer ma vache, tirer ma vache, tirer ma vache
Ah la vaca
La vache bamba
Ah la vaca
La vache bamba
Ah la vaca
The lyrics of Carmen Campagne's song "La vache au soleil" depict the singer, named Jacques Le-Meuh, on a mission to find a specific cow on a cruise ship called the Chocolat Chaud. The cow is rumored to be wearing a Hawaiian shirt, and Jacques is determined to find it. As a radio broadcaster, Jacques informs his listeners about his search and urges them to stay tuned for updates.
In the first verse, Jacques goes to the stable to milk his cow but finds himself unable to do so. He tries using a small bench but still fails. Then, unexpectedly, he throws a bucket of water in his own face, perhaps out of frustration or confusion. The following lines mention "a good hot chocolate," which could symbolize comfort or a pleasant distraction from his failed attempts.
As the song continues, Jacques reveals that he couldn't secure an interview with the cow because everyone on the ship is busy dancing, and it is the cow who leads the dance. Despite his desire to join in the fun, Jacques is still unsuccessful in his attempts to milk the cow. The repetition of the lines emphasizes his repeating actions and lack of success.
In the final verse, Jacques updates his listeners again, stating that the atmosphere on the ship is festive and the cow is full of energy. He discovers the cow dancing to "la vaca," which suggests a lively and joyful celebration. Jacques repeats the unsuccessful attempts at milking the cow and mentions a bucket of water being thrown in his face, followed by the line "un bon chocolat chaud" once again, adding a comforting and pleasant element to the story.
Overall, the song seems to emphasize Jacques' humorous and futile efforts to accomplish a task against the backdrop of a lively and carefree atmosphere on the cruise ship. The mentions of milking the cow and the bucket of water could be interpreted metaphorically or simply as comical elements in a light-hearted musical piece.
Writer(s): Paul Campagne, Carmen Nicole Campagne
Contributed by Ryan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.