Article

Papillon, tu es volage

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited December 16, 2013

'Papillon, tu es volage'. Folksong in the form of a dialogue. It is of French origin and has been found in Canada in several variants, most often in the minor key. An example appears in Ernest Gagnon's Chansons populaires du Canada (Quebec City 1865).

'Papillon, tu es volage'

'Papillon, tu es volage'. Folksong in the form of a dialogue. It is of French origin and has been found in Canada in several variants, most often in the minor key. An example appears in Ernest Gagnon's Chansons populaires du Canada (Quebec City 1865). A somewhat different example, embellished with ornaments and sung in the major, is presented in Marguerite and Raoul d'Harcourt's Chansons folkloriques françaises au Canada (Quebec 1956). Marius Barbeau in Alouette (Montreal 1946) cites 13 versions, which nevertheless are very similar musically. The song tells the story of a fair maiden who dismisses her fickle lover. Later, she appears to regret her act and wishes 'love had wings' so that she might be with her sweetheart once more. The song can be heard on LPs by the Montreal Bach Choir (Vox STPL-511-860) and Jacques Labrecque (Pathé AT-1029).