Hey Y'all,

I'm learning "Boire Mon Whiskey" from a recording by Eddie Lejeune. I'm a native French speaker myself, but for the life of me I cannot understand half of the words -- Eddie almost sounds like he's speaking Spanish on this one. His vocal style also obscures things a bit.

I see that the song was written by Robert Bertrand. Does anyone know of a recording of this song (Whiskey Time Again/Boire Mon Whiskey) by him? I saw a few recordings of his on Neal's site, so I wondered if anyone had any leads...

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Grand merci,

Nick B

Robert Bertrand's version of this song is called Drunkard's Waltz on my Web site. It is the same song. It may be easier to understand his version. I like his tempo on this one.

Neal,

Thank you, thank you! That version is great...real bluesy. I love the lyrics too. They're hillarious.

The best part is where he goes: "my mother in law was in a bad a mood; my father in law was in a good one". Then they drink whiskey.

A great resource as always.

Nick B

Yes, Neal is like having an encyclopedia handy. Nick I sent you an email.

Bryan Lafleur

Help! What does Robert Bertrand sing in the line after "Mon linge est tout dechirer." I can't quite make it out.

Ha! That's the one line I haven't deciphered yet.

I get: "Il y a pus moyen pour le laver", but I don't think it's "laver" (to wash). I'll give the Eddie LeJeune version a listen tonight...maybe I'll come up with somethin'.

Nick

Here's what I hear in Eddie's version:

Les maringouins, ils apres manger
Et la 'tite femme, elle apres me quereller
Les enfants, ils sont apres brailler
J'connais pas quoi dans l'monde moi j'vas faire
Catin, mais moi j'ai rouler
Pour t'avoir, tit couer, avec moi
J'connais pas quoi dans l'monde moi j'vas faire
J'm'en aller et boire mon whiskey

The mosquitos are biting.
The wife is fussing
The kids are crying
I don't know what in the world I am going to do
Dear, I roamed around
To have you with me
I don't know what in the world I am going to do
I going to go and drink my whiskey

verse 2 just rearranges the lines somewhat

Not sure either, but this is what I think I hear:

J'ai p'us maniere pour moi j'aller a la messe.

Good one, Bryan! "Plus maniere d'aller a la messe." Goes along with the irreverent tone altogether! These work: Thanks.

Hier au soir j'ai ete au bal
J'ai ete, mais, moi tout seule
Plus personne qui voulait me recevoir
J'veux souler sus mon bon vieux whiskey

Ma belle elle etait se facher
Mon beau avait un bonne humeur
Ils ont passe la journee avec moi
On s'a soulait sus mon bon vieux whiskey

Mon vieux cheval ils est proche crevee
Pus d'maiz dans mon magasin
J'l'ai tout vendu, j'vas la faire
J'veux me faire du bon vieux whiskey

Mon linge ils est tout dechiree
Pus d'maniere d'aller a la messe
Y a pus rien pour moi tracassee
J'vas souler sus mon bon vieux Moonshine

Neal, I think he is saying "belle mere" and "beau pere" in that second verse. And I heard "J'l'ai tout vendu mes (or les) affaires" on that 3rd line in the 3rd verse. Dont know for sure on any of it, but thats what I hear. Quoi tu crois?

Yep. I really think it's "belle mere" and "beau pere". That's one of my favorite lines in the whole song.

I'm not sure about "la messe", but it definitely works for me.

Great job everyone. This is one of those tunes that doesn't get played to death so I look forward to adding it to my repertoire.

Best,

Nick

How did I manage to leave out belle mere et beau pere? That's definitely what I hear, too. I just left out mere et pere somehow when transcribing.

On the verse about the horse. I believe the sense is that his old horse is almost starving. There's no more corn in his barn. He has sold all the corn to make him some whiskey.

Still not sure about the line after his clothes are all torn. It almost sounds like he says hack (a wagon) and a la main (in my hand), but I like the idea that his clothes are torn so he has no way to go to Mass. It goes along with the irreverent tone of the whole song when he says there's nothing to worry or trouble him. Same sort of tone as Bosco Blues, where the man's wife has left him but all he can think about is going to Bosco to bring back a bale of hay for his calf.

As for Eddie's version, who knows whether or not those are original to him or were sometimes sung by Robert Bertrand or others. I think they work more or less as placeholders in Eddie's songs. Eddie's vocals are not particularly rich with stories, in my opinion, just some lines to sing because the tune calls for a vocal at some point. That's not meant as a criticism. I like his vocals and don't need stories when I know his great accordion playing is just around the corner!

Yup, who cares if we are a little off on the lyrics, they are close enough for someone to use. Like most know, they never sung it same way anyway. Even new english songs I am not always sure of the lyrics. On another forum, a Canadian guy asked for some english lyrics to one of Joel Sonniers songs and we couldnt agree on those either.