Song Lyrics: "Lower Canada Rebellion Rap"

Song by Shawna Audet and The Overlanders

 

In 1837, there was great unrest among the French speaking population of Lower Canada. The French people were upset because the government catered to a small group of powerful (mostly English) citizens. This elite group was known as the "Chateau Clique." Louis Papineau's inspiring speeches stirred the French into action. Wolfred Nelson led the rebels into battle.

 

Let me tell a little story 'bout a guy named Pap

This is the Lower Canada Rebellion rap

The French were angry at the government's ways

They wanted more say, more pay, more "parler" did I hear you say Anyway,

 

There was a bunch guys from the Chateau Clique

They had all the money and they kept the French meek

They snagged the best jobs, let no one else speak

They had a greedy streak, those geeks, those power freaks

 

Pap put 92 ideas on the list He said, "Hey, Brits, do you get my drift?"

Lord Russell laughed, it made Pap miffed

The French got zip, they got ripped,

and so they made a fist

 

Nelson told the French to make bullets from spoons

Toronto sent a force of their strongest goons

At St. Denis the French sang a victory tune

Pap ran too soon, before noon, he didn't see the bodies strewn

 

St. Charles wasn't much of a fight

The French thought the canon was a terrible sight

The Brits charged in with all their might

The French ran away in fright, no delight

 

St. Eustache was a whole different story

Were talk'in three years before 1840

The Brits burned the French alive and it was gory

Sad story, the Brits weren't even sorry

 

The story is done, America kept Pap 12

rebels got hung, they had to take the rap

58 rebels found Australia on the map

Bermuda sent 'em back, how do you like that, Pap?