Key: A
Introduction:
Am Em F C Am Em F
There were rough seas and rain on the day that I came to the New World, this year of our Lord
Am Em F C Am Em F
I had barely made land when Papal command insisted that I stay on board.
C G Dm Am C G F
I was given a child born in the wild long a distant from Ville Quebec's hold.
C G Dm Am C G F
He was brown in the shade the billowed sails made and barely a month or two old.
C G Am F C G F
?And so mon petit we are borne 'cross the sea to the council of good King Louis.
C G Am F C G F
There is hot bread and tea for my baby and me and the wonder of all of Paris.?
Am Em F C Am Em F
And there was strong drink in hand the day we made land. Our arrival was met with such joy.
Am Em F C Am Em F
I was taken to work from morning 'til dark and erstwhile I cared for the boy.
C G Dm Am C G F
So quickly he grew! Before he was two he was bigger than boys twice his age.
C G Dm Am C G F
A marvel for sure, a heart brave and pure, impressing both subject and sage.
C G Am F C G F
?So, mon petit, you were born 'cross the sea in a country beyond Acadie.
C G Am F C G F
And though your people for free they were destined to be in bondage the slaves of Paris.?
Am Em F C Am Em F
But the boy grew up tall (a wonder to all) in the court of Louis the fourteenth.
Am Em F C Am Em F
There was hot bread and tea, the court of Louis, and a wonderfully rare human being.
C G Dm Am C G F
In becoming a man, he'd soon understand that he was not born like the rest.
C G Dm Am C G F
He was tall, brown and lean. His eyes dark and clean And a different heart beat in his chest
C G Am F C G F
?And so, mon petit, you were born 'cross the sea to the Huron of Ville Sainte Marie.
C G Am F C G F
You just happened to be entrusted to me to bring you as the Jewel of Paris.?
Am Em F C Am Em F
There was terror inside on the day that she died. The first time that he'd been alone.
Am Em F C Am Em F
He knelt by her bed. He picked up her head, and with her last breath she made known
C G Dm Am C G F
through all of her days and from each of her pays she'd committed near half what she made
C G Dm Am C G F
She'd put it away, so that on this day, the price of his freedom was paid.
C G Am F C G F
And she said ?no, mon petit, you were not born to me but I've loved you as if you might be.
C G Am F C G F
I have saved, mon petit, so that you can be free. Return you to Ville Saint Marie.?
C G Am F C G F
And so mon petit took a boat, crossed the sea, to the countries beyond Acadie
C G Am F C G F
to the Ville Sainte Marie, in Huron country. The young man arrived proud ... and free.