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/
Sur le pont d'Avignon
La Bottine Souriante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trois dames s′y promènent oh! ma dondaine
Trois dames s'y promènent oh! ma dondé (réponse)
Tout en s'y promenant, tout en s′y promenant (réponse)
Elles ont perdu leurs perles oh! ma dondaine
Elles ont persu leurs perles oh! ma dondé (réponse)
Trois Allemands passant, Trois Allemands passant (réponse)
Ont rapaillé leurs perles oh! ma dondé (réponse)
Allemands! Allemands! Allemands! Allemands! (réponse)
Rendez-moi don mes perles oh! ma dondaine
Rendez-moi don mes perles oh! ma dondé (réponse)
Prends-en un, prends-en deux (réponse)
Prends-en donc à ton aise oh! ma dondaine
Prends-en donc à ton aise oh! ma dondé (réponse)
Mais ne t′en vante pas, mais ne t'en vante pas (réponse)
Car tous ceux qui s′en ventent oh! ma dondaine
N'ont pas à se reprendre oh! ma dondé (réponse)
The song "Sur le pont d'Avignon" is a traditional French children's song, often sung as a dance. The lyrics translate to "On the bridge of Avignon," and the song recounts a tale of three women walking on the bridge and losing their pearls. Three Germans come by and retrieve the pearls, but instead of just returning them, they try to woo the women by suggesting they take as many pearls as they like. The refrain "ma dondaine" is a term of endearment, similar to "my darling."
The lyrics of the song hold some cultural significance, as they refer to the famous Pont d'Avignon, a bridge that spans the Rhone River in the city of Avignon in southern France. The bridge itself dates back to the 12th century and was the subject of a popular 15th-century song that likely inspired this one.
One interpretation of the song is that it reflects the mixed feelings of the people of Avignon towards the German soldiers who occupied the city during World War II. The Germans are depicted as sly and trying to win over the women, but ultimately they end up giving back the pearls, suggesting they are not all bad. The repetition of the refrain also adds to the playful character of the song, making it popular among children.
Line by Line Meaning
Sur le pont d'Avignon, sur le pont d'Avignon
On the bridge of Avignon, on the bridge of Avignon
Trois dames s′y promènent oh! ma dondaine
Three ladies are strolling there, oh my dondaine
Tout en s'y promenant, tout en s′y promenant
While they were walking there, while they were walking there
Elles ont perdu leurs perles oh! ma dondaine
They lost their pearls, oh my dondaine
Trois Allemands passant, Trois Allemands passant
Three Germans passed by, three Germans passed by
Ont rapaillé leurs perles oh! ma dondaine
They gathered their pearls, oh my dondaine
Allemands! Allemands! Allemands! Allemands!
Germans! Germans! Germans! Germans!
Rendez-moi don mes perles oh! ma dondaine
Give me back my pearls, oh my dondaine
Prends-en un, prends-en deux
Take one, take two
Prends-en donc à ton aise oh! ma dondaine
Take it easy, oh my dondaine
Mais ne t′en vante pas, mais ne t'en vante pas
But don't brag about it, but don't brag about it
Car tous ceux qui s′en ventent oh! ma dondaine
Because all those who boast about it, oh my dondaine
N'ont pas à se reprendre oh! ma dondé
Have nothing to take back, oh my dondé
Writer(s): La Bottine Souriante
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.