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"'''Gens du pays'''" has been called the unofficial national anthem of [[Quebec]]. Written by poet, songwriter, and avowed [[Quebec nationalist]] [[Gilles Vigneault]] (with music co-written by Gaston Rochon), it was first performed by Vigneault on [[June 24]], [[1975]] during a concert on [[Montreal]]'s [[Mount Royal]] at that year's [[Fête nationale du Québec]] ceremony. It quickly became a folk classic, and it has been played frequently at Fête nationale ceremonies since then. The chorus is by far the most famous part of the song: ''Gens du pays, c'est votre tour / De vous laisser parler d'amour'', which, translated, says, "countrymen and countrywomen, it's your turn to let yourselves |
"'''Gens du pays'''" has been called the unofficial national anthem of [[Quebec]]. Written by poet, songwriter, and avowed [[Quebec nationalist]] [[Gilles Vigneault]] (with music co-written by Gaston Rochon), it was first performed by Vigneault on [[June 24]], [[1975]] during a concert on [[Montreal]]'s [[Mount Royal]] at that year's [[Fête nationale du Québec]] ceremony. It quickly became a folk classic, and it has been played frequently at Fête nationale ceremonies since then. The chorus is by far the most famous part of the song: ''Gens du pays, c'est votre tour / De vous laisser parler d'amour'', which, translated, says, "countrymen and countrywomen, it's your turn to let yourselves be spoken of love."<ref>[http://www.cs.cmu.edu/Unofficial/Canadiana/Gens_du_pays.html ]{{dead link|date=June 2009}}</ref> |
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The song is also associated with the [[Quebec sovereignty movement]] and the sovereigntist [[Parti Québécois]], which use it as a sort of anthem. A famous instance of this took place at [[René Lévesque]]'s concession speech after the citizens of the province rejected independence in the [[1980 Quebec referendum]]. At the end of Lévesque's speech, the crowd assembled to hear him speak stood up at the end of the speech and sang "Gens du pays", which Lévesque called "the most beautiful Québécois song in the minds of all Quebecers." |
The song is also associated with the [[Quebec sovereignty movement]] and the sovereigntist [[Parti Québécois]], which use it as a sort of anthem. A famous instance of this took place at [[René Lévesque]]'s concession speech after the citizens of the province rejected independence in the [[1980 Quebec referendum]]. At the end of Lévesque's speech, the crowd assembled to hear him speak stood up at the end of the speech and sang "Gens du pays", which Lévesque called "the most beautiful Québécois song in the minds of all Quebecers." |
Revision as of 02:04, 2 July 2009
"Gens du pays" has been called the unofficial national anthem of Quebec. Written by poet, songwriter, and avowed Quebec nationalist Gilles Vigneault (with music co-written by Gaston Rochon), it was first performed by Vigneault on June 24, 1975 during a concert on Montreal's Mount Royal at that year's Fête nationale du Québec ceremony. It quickly became a folk classic, and it has been played frequently at Fête nationale ceremonies since then. The chorus is by far the most famous part of the song: Gens du pays, c'est votre tour / De vous laisser parler d'amour, which, translated, says, "countrymen and countrywomen, it's your turn to let yourselves be spoken of love."[1]
The song is also associated with the Quebec sovereignty movement and the sovereigntist Parti Québécois, which use it as a sort of anthem. A famous instance of this took place at René Lévesque's concession speech after the citizens of the province rejected independence in the 1980 Quebec referendum. At the end of Lévesque's speech, the crowd assembled to hear him speak stood up at the end of the speech and sang "Gens du pays", which Lévesque called "the most beautiful Québécois song in the minds of all Quebecers."
Birthday adaptation
In Quebec, a modified version of the chorus is often sung to celebrate a person, for example on a birthday (in the specific case of the birthday, the idea was explicitly introduced by Gilles Vigneault in 1975):
- Mon cher ami (or Ma chère amie), c'est à ton tour
- De te laisser parler d'amour.
("My dear friend, it's your turn / To let yourself talk of love.")
Alternatively, "ami(e)" is replaced with the name of the person being celebrated.
For instance, at René Lévesque's funeral, mourners outside the church broke out singing "Mon cher René, c'est à ton tour, de te laisser parler d'amour
Lyrics
Gilles Vigneault Gens du pays Letras: Le temps que l'on prend pour dire : "Je t'aime" C'est le seul qui reste au bout de nos jours. Les voeux que l'on fait, les fleurs que l'on sème Chacun les récoltes en soi-même Aux beaux jardins du temps qui court.
[Refrain, x2 :] Gens du pays, c'est votre tour De vous laisser parler d'amour
Gens du pays, c'est votre tour De vous laisser parler d'amour
Le temps de s'aimer, le jour de le dire [Más Letras en es.mp3lyrics.org/p4wd] Fond comme la neige aux doigts du printemps. Fêtons de nos joies, fêtons de nos rires Ces yeux où nos regards se mirent. C'est demain que j'avais vingt ans.
[Au refrain, x2] Gens du pays, c'est votre tour De vous laisser parler d'amour
Gens du pays, c'est votre tour De vous laisser parler d'amour
Le ruisseau des jours aujourd'hui s'arrête Et forme un étang où chacun peut voir Comme en un miroir l'amour qu'il reflète Pour ces cours à qui je souhaite Le temps de vivre leurs espoirs.
[Au refrain, x2] Gens du pays, c'est votre tour De vous laisser parler d'amour
Gens du pays, c'est votre tour De vous laisser parler d'amour