Song Lyrics Explanation: "Lower Canada Rebellion Rap"

Song by Shawna Audet and The Overlanders

Verse 1, Line 1 - Louis Joseph Papineau was the original leader of the Lower Canadian Rebels.

Line 3 - The rebels were angry at the government because they felt that the French did not have enough power. Instead, the power was kept in the hands of the British appointed governor and a small group of his friends. Verse 2 The Chateau Clique was the French version of the Family Compact. It was a small group of wealthy(mostly English) people who had influence over the governor. "Chateau" is a reference to the governor's home. He held many functions there that only the few people who were in his inner circle (his "Clique") were allowed to attended.

Verse 3 - Papineau wanted to try to solve the French issues in a non-violent way. He wrote down a list of 92 resolutions (things that were upsetting the French and needed changing). He sent this list to London. Lord Gosford read the list, but he was not sympathetic. He made a list of 10 ideas of his own (they were not designed to help the French) and he sent it back to Lower Canada. Lord Gosford's list made the French furious and they decided that it was time to rebel.

Verse 4 - The first battle took place at St. Denis. Papineau was a great speaker, but he was not a fighter. He ran for the U.S. border before the fighting even began. Wolfred Nelson stepped up to lead the rebels. He told them to "melt their spoons into bullets." The French won the battle of St. Denis.

Verse 5 - The second battle of the rebellion took place at St. Charles. The French had a strong start, but the British overpowered them.

Verse 6 - The last battle of the rebellion took place at St. Eustache. The French were outnumbered, but they still fought bravely (many chose die rather than surrender). A good example is provided by the group of French rebels who were cornered in a burning church. Rather than leave the church to face the British guns, many chose to die in the flames. After the battle, British soldiers looted and burned the town.

Verse 7- Papineau went into exile in the U.S.A. Twelve rebels were hung. Fifty-eight rebels were sent to Australia. A few of the rebel leaders were sent to Bermuda. Bermuda was not happy with this decision and the rebel leaders were sent back to Lower Canada.