Wednesday, 7 December, 2011

Montreal, Marseillaise and Musée

Last weekend my sister and I took the metro to the Salon des Métiers d'art du Québec, the annual Christmas show of fine arts and crafts. The day began well. While walking through the metro station, an "unusual" fellow was belting out a rousing rendition of the Marseillaise. We wanted to stand at attention and salute but we quickly realized he didn't actually know the words. he can be forgiven because this isn't required learning in Canada.
Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé
Da da da da da da da dum dum
Da da da da da da da dum

Aux armes, citoyens
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons, marchons
Dum dum dum dum…..

Now I have to learn the words myself because what kind of Francophile can't sing the French national anthem? Won't my French teacher be impressed when I resume my lessons in January with a tune? Either that or she'll just be afraid of me (which seems more likely).

For the record, here are the words to the first verse which I am going to tattoo on my arm:

Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé
Entendez-vous dans nos campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!

Aux armes citoyens
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons, marchons
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons

I have to say, the Marseillaise is a good anthem. It certainly is moving and has a great history going back to the revolution.

The Salon

The rest of the day was fun. The Salon has beautiful pieces. Original works of art - glass, jewelry, sculpture, leather bags and so much more. My husband, Joe, is helping out at a booth 1109 for the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec. He’ll be there until 5:00 pm today, December 7, and again on Wednesday December 14 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Say 'hello' and tell him you read this blog. He'll give you a FREE, well actually nothing because it's not his stuff on display now. But, the booth has beautiful handmade glass pieces that would make fabulous Christmas presents and you'd be supporting a gorgeous little museum.

Happy shopping!

Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec


The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Closed on December 24, 25, 26, 31st 2011 and January 1st, 2nd 2012.
615, avenue Sainte-Croix
Ville St-Laurent
Montreal Qc H4L 3X6
Phone: (514) 747-7367
Metro Du Collège


Salon des Métiers d'art du Québec

December 2 – 22, 2011
Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday and December 22 from 11:00 to 6:00 p.m.

6 To Leave and Read Comments. Merci:

  1. fly in the webDec 7, 2011 09:54 AM

    Sing your French teacher a few verses of the Ca Ira...that'll knock her out!

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  2. I hope the tattoo reference was a joke.As for the anthem i cant sing it either.

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  3. No tattoo for me. I'm a fainter and I don't suffer pain well. At least, not unnecessary pain! Quite honestly, I can't sing period.

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  4. That's a great idea! Anyone can learn the Marseillaise but Ca Ira......great idea! I bet I'd get extra good marks!

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  5. It IS a great anthem, although I only know the dum dum dum dum version.

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  6. Hi Kara. I think the dum dum dum version is the best known of all :)

    ReplyDelete

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