Stein song (MS2011-3222-047)

Stein song (MS2011-3222-047)

French language song text from VFC2006-0002 Beaudoin Family Collection. MS2011-3222-047 Eva Lacourse Songbook. Pp. 82-83.

“Stein Song” [“The Stein Song”] is a French-language setting of “The Maine Stein Song,” the school song of the University of Maine, written in 1902 by Lincoln Colcord and set to a melody based on “Opie,” a march written by E. A. Fenstad. The song rose to international popularity in 1930 after crooner Rudy Valley, a graduate of the University of Maine, recorded it at a slightly faster tempo with a few word changes. It became the only college song to become a number one hit.

The French-language translation is the work of Franco-Ontarian translator, poet, singer-songwriter, newspaper owner and editor Maurice Morisset (ca. 1884-1939), who also sang in the folk revival quartet Les Troubadours de Bytown. Roméo Mousseau recorded Morisset’s version of the song in 1930 on the Victor/His Master’s Voice label under the title “La chanson du bock.”  Montreal baritone Albert Marier (1895-1971) also recorded Morisset’s setting under same title on the Compo/Starr label, same year (issue #15716, matrix # 4341).

Collegiate calls on his fellow students to toast their alma mater, nature, love, etc.

VFC2006-0002 Beaudoin Family Collection. MS2011-3222 Eva Lacourse Songbook. Vermont Folklife Center Archive, Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury, Vermont, United States of America.

Stein song

Stein Song

Aux forets au ciel pur

E. A. Fenstad (English)

Lincoln Colcord (English)

Maurice Morisset (French)

1
Aux forets au ciel pur
Au doux printemp qui rayonne dans l’azur
Au soleil a la terre
A la vie on s’atache en vain notre coeur
Au hazard au destin
A tout ceux qui dirigent le genre humain
Au baiser au doux yeux
Aux beaute qui feront leur aveux

Refrain
J’ai amis des anciens jours
Chantons buvons toujour
Lancons tous un joyeux refrain
Sans nul souci du lendemain
Moi je bois au jour heureux
Je bois a tout les vieux
A ton nom douce Alma Matin
Au college ou tout nous est cher