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The French started colonies in Canada, especially the eastern part.
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Voyageurs went down the Mississippi River and took over much of the land west of it, most of which was sold to the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase.
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The French Acadians came over the border from Canada into Maine and Vermont, and some went all the way down to Louisiana.
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The Acadians in the south lived in rural districts and came to be called Cajuns.
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They brought their ballads and songs of old France, many of the trials of love.
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The Acadians loved the accordian for accompaniments so the songs have the rhythm of the push and pull.
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Unlike English settlers they didn't bother changing any of the original texts to fit their new life and country. They sang as they paddled down rivers.
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This song of French-Canadian origin expresses the mood and purpose of these early traders.
