Page 41 - Leo Aucoin, Acadian Traditional Singer

ISSUE : Issue 63

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1993/6/1

in the communi? ty, they're created right there. Then there are songs that, they seem to have been with the Acadi? ans for years and years, and they're passed from one gener? ation to the next.) Oh, yeah, I know that's true-- they come from France. Yeah, because there was a guy, his name was Georgie Doucet. He was at the First World War. And he gave me, Left: Joseph Larade. Right: Leo's parents, Minnie & Pat (' Joe h Dosite) Aucoin, with their last child, Gerard. He died a few years ago. I think it's two songs that he brought from France. (From when he was in the war.) Yes, sir. In 1914-1918. Boy, he was a good singer. What a voice! (And were there songs that they'd say to you, "This is an old Acadian song"?) Oh, yes. There's some--Fr. Chiasson told me-- there's some (songs I know), they're 300 years old. "La Chanson du Bon Dieu"--that was pretty old. And then there's another one, they call that in French "Le Rossignol du Bois Joli." That one is over 300 years old. Fr. Chiasson told me. I had it. That one, he had never heard that song before. I told him it's supposed to be 200 years old. And then I sang it for him. And then he found out that it's over 300 years old. I got that song from an old man--he wasn't living too far from my place, maybe 5 min? utes walking. I used to go there often, but especially in the wintertime when it was stormy in the afternoon. You couldn't work outside. I used to go there and they used to make me sing. I used to go there in the afternoon. And his wife, she liked to hear the French song and.... He said, "Do you know this one?" I said, "No." So Co-op Artisanale de Cheticamp Ltee, A New Eating Experience iJlcadian] Full Menu - Specializing in Acadian Dishes Chowders & Rsh Dishes Meat Pies Take-Out Orders Available May 12-October 15 224-3207 Hand Hooked Virgin Wool Products May 6th - October 15th • 224-2170 • ''Open Every Day to Welcome You KEDDY'S Sydney Hotel 600 KING'S RD., SYDNEY, N.S. (902) 539-1140 • Toll Free: 1-800-561-76 218 ROOMS Air Conditioned • Colour Cable TV Indoor Recreation Facility • ? Pool ? Sauna ? Whirlpool Bath Entertainment & Dancing at ' lUORV'S LOUNGE KEDDY'S FAMILY RESTAURANT 7 A.M. to 9 P.M. Licensed Dining • Daily Features SUMMER at the YMCA includes: • Day Caimps (5-12 Years) YMCA Day Camps are held at the Coast Guard College facilities, with a 25 meter pool, gymnasium, craft room, hiking trails, soccer and baseball fields. Monday to Fri? day, 9:00-4:00, with supervision available to 4:30 if required. Participants must provide their own lunch. Co-Ed. Day Camps Schedule week 4 • July 26-30 Week 1 • July 5-9 Week 5 • August 2-6 Week 2'July 12-16 Week 6 • August 9-13 Week 3-July 19-23 Week 7 • August 16-201 • YMCA Summer Swim Programs for Pre-schoolers, Youths & Adults > Youth Basketball League • Judo for age 9 and Up * Snorkel Course, 8 and Up Call the YMCA for Further Information 539-7880 Membership available on a yearly, 4-month or 1-month basis. YMCA Membership includes • fitness classes • squash/racquetball • rec and length swimming • walking/running track • ba? bysitting service ($1.50/hr) • men's basketball • fitness consultation • individual squash/racquetball train? ing • guest privileges • gym • health club locker rentals • parking • use of 71 YMCA facilities in Can? ada & many worldwide. ?? Sponsorship: j The YMCA I will subsidize I membership 1 for anyone !not able to afford 1' our programs.

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