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 banqueroute
La Bottine Souriante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, j'ai fait une banqueroute
J'ai fait une banqueroute
Oh j'ai vendu ma ch'mise ainsi que mon violon
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
Vends ta ch'mise pis ton pantalon (bis)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
Refrain
J'ai vendu mes souliers ainsi que mon violon
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
Vends tes souliers pis tes chaussons (bis)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
Refrain
Ah j'ai vendu ma vache ainsi que mon violon
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
Vends ta vache pis ton gros cochon (bis)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
Refrain
J'ai vendu ma jument ainsi que mon violon
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
Vends ta jument pis ton étalon (bis)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
Refrain
Ah j'ai vendu ma cruche ainsi que mon violon
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
Vends ta cruche pis ton flacon (bis)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
Refrain
Ah j'ai vendu ma flûte ainsi que mon violon
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
Vends ta flûte pis ton accordéon (bis)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
The song "La Banqueroute" by La Bottine Souriante tells the story of a man named Gédéon who has fallen into financial ruin and proceeds to sell off all of his possessions, including his shirt, shoes, cow, horse, and even his musical instruments. Throughout the song, Gédéon's wife pleads with him to keep his beloved violin, despite his insistence on selling everything else.
On the surface, the song may seem like a light-hearted tale of a man's misfortunes, but it can also be interpreted as a commentary on the struggles faced by the working class. Gédéon is forced to part with everything he owns just to make ends meet, highlighting the economic hardships faced by many during the time period in which the song was written.
Additionally, by emphasizing the importance of the violin to Gédéon, the song also celebrates the cultural significance and value of music in the lives of ordinary people. The repetitive refrain of "J'ai fait une banqueroute" adds to the catchy and playful nature of the tune, making it a popular choice for dancing and singing along.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, j'ai fait une banqueroute
Oh, I've gone bankrupt
J'ai vendu ma ch'mise ainsi que mon violon
I sold my shirt and my violin
Ma femme court après moé, a m'dit mon cher Gédéon
My wife is chasing after me, telling me, my dear Gédéon
Vends ta ch'mise pis ton pantalon (bis)
Sell your shirt and your pants (repeat)
Mais j'veux que l'violon reste à la maison (bis)
But I want the violin to stay home (repeat)
J'ai vendu mes souliers ainsi que mon violon
I sold my shoes and my violin
Vends tes souliers pis tes chaussons (bis)
Sell your shoes and your slippers (repeat)
Ah j'ai vendu ma vache ainsi que mon violon
Ah, I sold my cow and my violin
Vends ta vache pis ton gros cochon (bis)
Sell your cow and your big pig (repeat)
J'ai vendu ma jument ainsi que mon violon
I sold my mare and my violin
Vends ta jument pis ton étalon (bis)
Sell your mare and your stallion (repeat)
Ah j'ai vendu ma cruche ainsi que mon violon
Ah, I sold my jug and my violin
Vends ta cruche pis ton flacon (bis)
Sell your jug and your bottle (repeat)
Ah j'ai vendu ma flûte ainsi que mon violon
Ah, I sold my flute and my violin
Vends ta flûte pis ton accordéon (bis)
Sell your flute and your accordion (repeat)
Contributed by Savannah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hero Skillet
J'ai fait une banqueroute ! J'ai fait une banqueroute !
Oui, j'ai vendu ma femme, ainsi que mon violon...
Mon p'tiot me court après moi, il me dit "Mon père Gédéon...
Vends ta femme et ma sœur Manon, mais j'veux qu'le violon reste à la maison !"
yanmely30
cette chanson a un rythme incroyable j'adore
chrisdulot
Amusant, entrainant!^^
Marie-Jeanne Aubé
J'ai fait cette chanson à l'école!!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Raphaël Perreault
tellement vieux mais tellement bon!
Berni v-L
what great beat for spoons, kids at school love this, my BD is June 24!!
Yvette Dufresne
St- Jean ,24 juin 2016! Une québécoise pure laine! j' adore :)
petervdveenmuis
Saw them in L'Orient (Brittany). Excellent!!!
Marc Andre Couillard
Excellent
Yvette Paquette
Je retrouve m'a jeunesse😄😄😄😄