Composer

:

Quebecois Traditional

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

4:04

"Complainte du coureur des bois" is a traditional Quebecois song that dates back to the 18th century. The song is also known as "La Complainte du Proscrit" or "The Outlaw's Lament." It was originally composed by anonymous French-Canadian voyageurs, who were fur traders and explorers in the wilderness of North America. The song tells the story of a coureur des bois, or a runner of the woods, who is forced to flee from the authorities after being caught trading illegally with the Indigenous peoples. The coureur des bois laments his fate and expresses his longing for the freedom of the wilderness. "Complainte du coureur des bois" has a slow and mournful melody, with a simple chord progression that emphasizes the melancholic mood of the lyrics. The song is typically performed with a solo voice accompanied by a guitar or a fiddle. The song has become a staple of Quebecois folk music and has been covered by many artists over the years. It was popularized in the 1960s by the folk group Les Charbonniers de l'enfer and has since been recorded by artists such as Gilles Vigneault, La Bottine Souriante, and Kate and Anna McGarrigle. "Complainte du coureur des bois" is typically performed in one movement, with a duration of around three minutes. The song's simple melody and poignant lyrics have made it a beloved classic of Quebecois folk music, and it continues to be performed and recorded to this day.

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