Viens t'asseoir près de moi petite amie
Dis-moi sincèrement que tu m'aimes
Et promets-moi que tu ne seras
L'amie de personne que moi
Aujourd'hui parents et amis
Je viens faire un dernier adieu
Je dois quitter mon beau pays
Pour traverser les grands flots bleus
Là les canons allemands grondent
Et leurs fusils sèment la mort
Mais pour protéger notre monde
Il faut aller risquer la mort
Vous ô ma mère chérie
Pardonnez-moi tout ce que j'ai fait
Mon père mes frères soeurs et amis
Gardez un souvenir de moi
J'ai vécu parmi vous ici
Le plus beau séjour mes amis
Et si Dieu me garde la vie
Je reverrai mon beau pays
Adieu ô ma mère chérie
Je pars pour un lointain séjour
Adieu je ne reviendrai plus
Au pays où j'ai connu l'amour
Roland Lebrun was born into a family of musicians in Amqui, Quebec (east of Rimouski).
During World War II, much of the province resisted conscription efforts to fight what was seen as Great Britain’s battle.
But Lebrun signed up with the regiment des Voltigeurs, only to become ill for some time.
While recovering, he began composing songs that reflected the hopes and anxieties, religion, patriotism and love of family felt by soldiers.
His recordings, including L’adieu du soldat, were heard on radio station CHRC in Quebec City.
Canadian Army authorities enlisted Lebrun in a new war effort.
He made several tours of army bases, radio stations and music stages in Quebec, in the Maritimes, and in other provinces.
After the war, Lebrun had a successful career as a country artist – one song was titled La vie d’un cowboy.
Accompanying himself on guitar, he continued to sing until well into the 1960s.
At one point, he toured in Quebec with his family of five children. He recorded more than 200 songs over his career and sold more than 1 million copies. He died in 1980.
Roland Lebrun \"L'Adieu Du Soldat\" Canada song from World War II (WWII) Quebec
