La Tempete

This is an Acadian “Complainte” which is a many versed story of tragedy set to a slow melancholic air. This paticular creation is the story of two drowned fishermen from Tignish PEI, and the miraculous escape of the young man fishing with them. The style of singing is ancient but the true story is from 2018.

La Tempête

On the 18th day of September

Sailing from Jude’s Point they made their way

Out upon the treacherous water

For three men, just another working day

There was Captain Glen Desroches

With Moe Getson whom he called his friend

And the young man Tanner Gaudet

They could not know, how this sad day would end

Venez entendre la tempête

Les pauvres âmes disparues

Venez entendre la mer inquiète

Deux pecheurs, ils sont cachés de nous

Near the reef a wave washed over

Then another larger in its wake

As the Kyla Anne went under

Through a hatch, Tanner made his chance escape

Looking back he saw no other

Not a hint of those two men in sight

Just the cover of a fish tub

Which he clung tight to to save his life

In the presence of two seagulls

And a seal to whom he sang a song

Tanner kicked his feet and paddled

Poor drowned spirits, urging him along

Chorus

Finally on the shore he landed

Where he had to gather his last strength

Forced to walk more than an hour

To find shelter, at the Wind and Reef

From there they called to tell his father

And inform the R.C.M.P’s

They stripped his clothes and tried to warm him

With some tablecloths, they dried to heat

So the search began in earnest

All along the North Cape shore

Fishermen out on the water

Thinking, of these men, their search was for

Chorus

Glen Desroches was found at North Cape

Close to those he loved the most

Moe Getson on the beach in Roseville

With some items, washed up from the boat

Some peace then for the suffering families

With these two men laid to rest

Some peace for those who searched to find them

Neighbors giving all and nothing less

In the churchyard Tignishers gather

Lifting lobster traps to form a tree

In the memory of these poor men

And all family members lost at sea

Chorus