V’là le bon vent

V’là le bon vent (also known as Le canard blanc) is a traditional French-Canadian song at least 300 years old.

The story of the song

According to the Canadian folklorist Ernest Gagnon (1834-1815) the song is of Acadian origin and is over three hundred years old.

Other sources state that the theme of the three ducks originated in France, where the song is also well known, and reached Canada in the 17th century.

The song tells the story of a prince who comes with his silver gun to kill the narrator's white duck. Between the verses, the refrain "V'là le bon vent" has nothing to do with the rest of the story.

The whiteness of the duck can symbolise innocence.

V’là le bon vent

Lyrics, music, free download... let's learn more about the popular song:

The lyrics in French

The original song of V’là le bon vent has 7 verses and a chorus.

This song of oral tradition has many versions, both lyrically and melodically different.

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is an approximative translation into English:

Chorus

Here comes the good wind, here comes the lovely wind
Here comes the good wind, my love is calling me
Here comes the good wind, here comes the lovely wind
Here comes the good wind, my love is waiting for me.

Verse 1

Behind our house there is a pond
Three beautiful ducks are going swimming
(bis)

Verse 2

The king's son is going hunting
With his beautiful silver rifle
(bis)

Verse 3

Aimed at the black, killed the white
O son of the king, you are wicked
(bis)

Verse 4

For killing my white duck
From under the wing he loses its blood
(bis)

Verse 5

Through its eyes diamonds are coming out
And through the beak gold and silver
(bis)

Verse 6

All its feathers go to the wind
Three ladies are going to pick them up
(bis)

Verse 7

It's to make a camp bed
To lay all the passers-by on it
(bis)