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/
La Belle Ennuitée
La Bottine Souriante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chassant bécasses et perdrix dans ce bois joli
Tout au travers des roseaux j'en visai t'une
Tenant mon fusil braqué tout prêt à tirer
J'ai tiré mon coup de fusil pas bien loin d'elle
La belle poussa un si grand cri que le bois retentit
J'avance et je crie tout haut au travers des roseaux
D'une voie d'affection, faisant ma ronde
J'appelle ainsi en faisant mon tour un beau gibier d'amour
Rassurez-moi je vous prie car de peur je suis saisie
Je me suis laissée ennuiter, je me suis écartée
En vous voyant ainsi seulette, ma belle enfant
Je veux être votre soutien et vous faire du bien
La belle donnez-moi la main, votre chemin n'est pas loin
Je puis vous faire ce plaisir, j'en ai le loisir
Mais auparavant de vous quitter, jolie mignonne
Voudriez-vous bien m'accorder ce tendre baiser
Je ne saurais vous refuser car je veux bien vous récompenser
Prenez-en deux ou bien trois, c'est à votre choix
Vous qui m'avez d'un si grand coeur rendu service
C'est pour moi beaucoup d'honneur, et adieu donc cher coeur
The song "La Belle Ennuitée" by La Bottine Souriante tells the story of a man who, while out hunting in a beautiful forest, takes aim at a bird and causes it to cry out in distress. He then hears the voice of his faithful dog and continues walking through the reeds while calling out in a voice of affection to a potential "game of love." He eventually comes across a woman who is afraid and lost in the forest. He offers to be her support and take her to safety, but first asks for a tender kiss as a reward for his services. She agrees and even offers two or three kisses, as she is grateful for his help. The song ends with a goodbye from the man to his "dear heart."
The lyrics of "La Belle Ennuitée" can be interpreted in a few ways, but it seems to center around themes of nature, hunting, and courtship. The man's initial pursuit of a bird can be seen as a metaphor for his pursuit of the woman, as he uses the same language of aiming and shooting before coming across her. The image of the forest, with its sounds of birds and reeds, adds to the romantic and natural setting of the story. The man's offer of assistance to the woman can be seen as a chivalrous act, as he offers to be her protector and take her to safety. The kiss at the end can be seen as a reward for his services, but it also highlights the potential intimacy between the characters.
Line by Line Meaning
Un soir en m'y promenant le long d'un bois d'aréca
One evening, while walking along a forest of coconut trees,
Chassant bécasses et perdrix dans ce bois joli
Hunting woodcocks and partridges in this beautiful forest,
Tout au travers des roseaux j'en visai t'une
Through the reeds, I saw one and aimed my gun,
Tenant mon fusil braqué tout prêt à tirer
Holding my gun steady, ready to shoot.
J'ai tiré mon coup de fusil pas bien loin d'elle
I shot my gun, not very far from her,
La belle poussa un si grand cri que le bois retentit
The beautiful one screamed so loud that the forest echoed.
J'entends la voix de mon chien, du chasseur un vrai soutien
I hear my dog's voice, a true companion for hunting,
J'avance et je crie tout haut au travers des roseaux
I move forward and shout loudly through the reeds,
D'une voie d'affection, faisant ma ronde
With an affectionate tone, patrolling the area,
J'appelle ainsi en faisant mon tour un beau gibier d'amour
I call out, making my rounds, for a beautiful game of love.
Rassurez-moi je vous prie car de peur je suis saisie
Please reassure me, for I am frightened,
Je me suis laissée ennuiter, je me suis écartée
I got lost, I strayed away,
En vous voyant ainsi seulette, ma belle enfant
Seeing you alone like this, my beautiful child,
Je veux être votre soutien et vous faire du bien
I want to be your support and make you feel good.
La belle donnez-moi la main, votre chemin n'est pas loin
My beautiful one, give me your hand, your way is not far,
Je puis vous faire ce plaisir, j'en ai le loisir
I can give you pleasure, I have the leisure time,
Mais auparavant de vous quitter, jolie mignonne
But before leaving you, pretty darling,
Voudriez-vous bien m'accorder ce tendre baiser
Would you kindly grant me this tender kiss?
Je ne saurais vous refuser car je veux bien vous récompenser
I couldn't refuse you, for I want to reward you,
Prenez-en deux ou bien trois, c'est à votre choix
Take two or three, it's your choice,
Vous qui m'avez d'un si grand coeur rendu service
You, who have done me such a great favor with all your heart,
C'est pour moi beaucoup d'honneur, et adieu donc cher coeur
It's an honor for me, goodbye dear heart.
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.