Documentary Field Notes and Flashpoints

Mémés and Grannies sing in front of Eaton Center

Continuing to shoot our film abut the Raging Grannies and their French-speaking sisters, the Mémés Déchaïnées. Last week we joined Louise-Édith Hébert and Anna-Louise Fontaine as they picked up several other Mémés and brought them down to a rehearsal with the Raging Grannies. They then went over to the Eaton Center to sing, first outside and then inside, in front of a video games store. Their message: there are certain kinds of presents our kids don’t need ! Here is one of the songs they sang together:

Vive le vent – War toys

Couplet :
Pendant l’temps / pendant l’ temps /
Des grandes ventes d’hiver / /
Faudrait pas vendre / les jouets de guerre / /
Qui enragent les grand-mères / /Non / / /

Pour Noël / pour Noël /
Voici l’ vœu d’ ces grand-mères /  /
Assez  / assez / de violence //
Les jouets de guerre / à la poubelle /  Ouiiiiiiiii !

(CHORUS)
When we go to shop / To buy a gift or two /
Let’s think of books and paints / and fun things kids can do / /
With skates / a bike / a ball / Our message will be clear /
Peace on Earth / goodwill to all /
Today and through the year / / /                       Oh !

Jingle bells / Jingle bells /
Jingle of dismay
It’s no fun to shop today /
With war toys on display / / /