La Bottine Souriante is a folk band from Quebec specialising in traditional… Read Full Bio ↴La Bottine Souriante is a folk band from Quebec specialising in traditional Quebecois music, often with a modern twist.

Formed in 1976, they have toured extensively through North America and Europe. As well as the traditional accordion, fiddle, guitar, piano and double bass, the band added a four-piece horn section in 1990 which gives an element of jazz to the music. In 1998, they contributed a song to the Canadian Celtic music compilation by The Chieftains, Fire in the Kitchen.

The group's name means "the smiling boot", which refers to the appearance of a work boot with worn-out soles.

They have received three Canadian Juno awards and several Felix awards from the Quebec recording industry. They are known for their high energy live performances and in 2000 were voted Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. BBC Radio 3 has also played their music in mainstream programmes.

See their website: http://www.bottinesouriante.com/

Belle Virginie
La Bottine Souriante Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Belle Virginie, les larmes aux yeux
Je viens te faire mes adieux
Et là je repars pour l'Amérique
Et je m'en vas suivant le vent
Et adieu donc belle Virginie
Les voiles sont déjà mises au vent

Les voiles au vent, mon cher amant

Cela me cause du tourment
Il surviendra quelque tempête
Et des orages assurément
Qui fera périr ton bâtiment
Et moi je resterai sans amant

Belle Virginie, ne crains donc rien
Je suis un premier marin
Et je connais toute la terre
Et je suis sûr de mon vaisseau
Il m'arrivera aucun naufrage
Durant que j'serai sur les eaux

Belle Virginie, jusqu'au retour
Sois fidèle à nos amours
Je te promets, ô ma mignonne
De revenir en ce pays

Là nous nous marierons ensemble
Et adieu donc belle Virginie

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Belle Virginie" tell the story of a man saying farewell to his beloved, Virginia, as he sets off to return to America. Virginia is tearful as she bids farewell to him, imagining possible storms that may harm him on his journey. However, the man reassures her that he is a skilled sailor and promises to return to her. He asks her to remain faithful to him until his return, and promises to marry her when he comes back.

The song is a romantic ballad that is sung in French, and is performed by the Canadian folk band La Bottine Souriante. The tune has a happy and upbeat melody, even though the lyrics describe a bittersweet parting. The song captures the feelings of longing, trust, and hope that are common in long-distance relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Belle Virginie, les larmes aux yeux
Beautiful Virginia, tears in my eyes

Je viens te faire mes adieux
I have come to bid you farewell

Et là je repars pour l'Amérique
And now I am leaving for America

Et je m'en vas suivant le vent
And I will go where the wind takes me

Et adieu donc belle Virginie
So farewell, beautiful Virginia

Les voiles sont déjà mises au vent
The sails are already set in the wind

Les voiles au vent, mon cher amant
Sails in the wind, my beloved

Cela me cause du tourment
This causes me great distress

Il surviendra quelque tempête
There will be a storm that arises

Et des orages assurément
And surely there will be thunderstorms

Qui fera périr ton bâtiment
That will cause your ship to perish