The duo started performing together in Toronto in 1959. By 1962, they were living in New York City, where they caught the attention of manager Albert Grossman, who managed Peter, Paul and Mary and would soon become Bob Dylan's manager. Grossman secured them a contract with Vanguard Records and they released their first album late in the year.
Four Strong Winds, their second album, featured title song "Four Strong Winds", written by Ian Tyson. "Four Strong Winds" was a major hit in Canada and ensured their stardom. Years later, the song was named as the greatest Canadian song of all time by the CBC-Radio program 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version.
Their third album, Northern Journey, featured the song "Someday Soon", a composition by Ian Tyson that would rival "Four Strong Winds" in its popularity.
Their fourth album, Early Morning Rain, introduced the work of the couple's fellow Canadian songwriter and performer Gordon Lightfoot through the title song and "(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me".
In 1969, Ian & Sylvia formed the country rock group Great Speckled Bird.
By 1975, Ian & Sylvia had stopped performing together and soon afterwards were divorced.
In 1992, they were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In 1994, they were both made Members of the Order of Canada.
Un Canadien Errant
Ian & Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Banni de ses foyers
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
"Si tu vois mon pays
Mon pays malheureux
Si tu vois mon pays
Mon pays malheureux
Va, dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux
Va, dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux"
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
The lyrics of "Un Canadien Errant" (A Wandering Canadian) convey the sense of loss and displacement felt by a Canadian forced to leave his home and travel in foreign lands. The hymn-like melody and simple, direct language evoke a sense of melancholy and longing. The repeated refrain "Un Canadien errant/Banni de ses foyers" (A Wandering Canadian/Banished from his homeland) emphasizes the theme of exile and displacement.
The first verse sets the scene of the singer wandering through foreign lands with tears in his eyes. The second verse adds depth and emotion to the song as he speaks directly to someone who might see his homeland. The message is clear; he wants those still there to know he remembers them.
The song's authorship is still a matter of debate, as multiple poets and composers have been credited with creating it. But it has become a beloved and iconic song in Canadian culture, often performed in concerts and ceremonies, and has been covered by a vast range of artists from Gordon Lightfoot to Celine Dion.
Line by Line Meaning
Un Canadien errant
A wandering Canadian, without a home or place to belong.
Banni de ses foyers
Exiled from his homeland, unable to return.
Parcourait en pleurant
Traveled while crying, in sadness and despair.
Des pays étrangers
Through foreign lands, without familiarity or comfort.
Si tu vois mon pays
If you happen to come across my country,
Mon pays malheureux
My unfortunate and unhappy homeland,
Va, dis à mes amis
Please go and tell my friends
Que je me souviens d'eux
That I remember and think of them always.
Un Canadien errant
A wandering Canadian, without a home or place to belong.
Banni de ses foyers
Exiled from his homeland, unable to return.
Parcourait en pleurant
Traveled while crying, in sadness and despair.
Des pays étrangers
Through foreign lands, without familiarity or comfort.
Lyrics © David Murphy et Cie
Written by: [domaine public], Alexandre Belliard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TepiLizard'
Paroles de chanson en francais / Lyrics in English:
--------------------------------
Un Canadien Errant
Banni de ses foyers,
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays etrangers.
"Si tu vois mon pays,
Mon pays malheureux,
Va dire a mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux."
--------------------------------
A wandering Canadian,
Cast out from hearth and home
Traveled on as he cried
All throughout foreign lands.
"If you see my country,
My mis'rable country,
Go say to all my friends
That I remember them."
Mr Kleeg
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
"Si tu vois mon pays
Mon pays malheureux
Si tu vois mon pays
Mon pays malheureux
Va, dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux
Va, dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux"
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Un Canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Daniel Poitras
Un Canadien Errant (A wandering Canadian, )
Banni de ses foyers, (banned from his hearths, )
Parcourait en pleurant (travelled while crying)
Des pays etrangers. (in foreign lands.)
Parcourait en pleurant (travelled while crying)
Des pays etrangers. (in foreign lands.)
Un jour, triste et pensif, (One day, sad and pensive, )
Assis au bord des flots, (sitting by the flowing waters, )
Au courant fugitif (to the fleeing current)
Il adressa ces mots: (he addressed these words:)
Au courant fugitif (to the fleeing current)
Il adressa ces mots: (he addressed these words:)
"Si tu vois mon pays, (If you see my country, )
Mon pays malheureux, (my unhappy country, )
Va dire a mes amis (go tell my friends)
Que je me souviens d'eux. (that I remember them.)
Va dire…
Pravda
Un canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Un canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Si tu vois mon pays
Mon pays malheureux
Si tu vois mon pays
Mon pays malheureux
Va dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux
Va dis à mes amis
Que je me souviens d'eux
Un canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Un canadien errant
Banni de ses foyers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Parcourait en pleurant
Des pays étrangers
Peter Brawley
Iconic, beautiful. When Sylvia arrived at Toronto's Village Corner Club in the fall of '59 having spend the summer learning 20 songs, playing her guitar lefthanded with only bar chords, who imagined she & Ian would make such lasting contributions to Canada's music?
Linda Workman
I have loved them since the 60's. They still touch my heartstrings and bring back great memories.
rvcrvc2
Beautiful, rich-toned harmonies, a beautiful melody, and a beautiful couple that I've enjoyed since the '60's. Thanks for posting.
Cannon Gavin
@Henry Castiel Instablaster ;)
Henry Castiel
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Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Henry Castiel
@Cannon Gavin it worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my account!
Cannon Gavin
@Henry Castiel No problem :)
jregularnemo
I had the rare privelege of interviewing Sylvia some 25 years ago, at the Ark in Ann Arbor. She was very generous with her time, and was utterly charming. Was madly in love with her when I was sixteen or so... probably still am. What a voice, and she is still so beautiful.
Linda Workman
Can't blame ya!
Carol Marcum
I just heard this sung by a lovely Canadienne in Prague, Czech Republic and came home to find it on YouTube. I used to have the LP in the mid-60's. Thanks for the lyrics in French, Mr. Fahy---brings back a lot of memories. I didn't know the history, either.