les raftsmen (ssa)

This piece is one of the Trois Chansons Folkloriques by Patriquin.  The others are J'entends le moulin (see S-06, W-10, S-390) and Un Canadien errant (see S-46, W-26). 

Les Raftsmen was sung by Quebecois lumbermen working on the Gatineau river in the Outaouais area north of Ottawa.  In the winter they would cut down the trees, and in the spring they would float down the river accompanying themon their rafts.  This song is an excellent example of a number of French Canadian folksongs which exhibit changing metrical accents.  This piece is also available for mixed choir (see S-99).