Ch'pas capable
La Bottine Souriante Lyrics

The song "Ch'pas capable" by La Bottine Souriante recounts a story of a middle-aged woman encountering an elderly lady crying on her way to a vigil one Sunday evening. The woman inquires about the old lady's tears and learns that she is lamenting her fate as an unmarried woman who cannot enter heaven. The old woman wishes to be married so that she can enter the pearly gates without worrying about St. Peter's interrogation. However, she feels that it is too late for her to find a spouse, and so she is filled with sorrow. The refrain "Ch'pas capable, sur la montagne du loup" ("I'm not capable, on the mountain of the wolf") emphasizes her despair and hopelessness.

The old woman's fear of being unworthy of heaven based on her marital status highlights the societal pressure that women faced to be married in the past. In particular, the song sheds light on how unmarried women were viewed as tragic figures who were pitied in society. The stanza where the old woman describes her inevitable "enragée" (angry) death also portrays the fate of unmarried older women during traditional times.

Overall, "Ch'pas capable" serves as a poignant reminder of how the pressure to conform to societal norms can impact individuals emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.