An Acadia Dream Poem by Mark (Owen) Williams

It started with The Thousand Islands, then headed north to Montreal,
So began our endless struggle so began our freedom call.
Came the bad times and the hardships we fought as farmers for our pride,
At St Lawrence slaughtered cattle, on hell’s Plains was where we died.
Our war was long and oh so bloody but we fought bravely for our right,
Against the might of George’s army, our destruction in their sight.
Fort Levis, souls did die there as the British gunned us down,
And the beauty of this Northland turned to red with musket sound.
Acadia, we called it “refuge”, a refuge for our honoured race,
Betrayed by France we lost our homeland, left to suffer in disgrace.

Chorus
Ave Maris Stella great redeemer – hear your people’s freedom song,
Acadia a righteous nation – offrir la gloire – Cajun Strong.

There in Paris France surrendered sovereign rights to our native land,
New France crumbled – fallen pieces, the British had the upper hand.
Our land was taken without compulsion, farms destroyed as mothers cried,
But we stood firm with Mi’kmaq allies, native peoples, side by side.
The Great Upheaval their solution when it ended thousands dead,
Forced by Lawrence evil governor, eleven thousand expulsions led.
We were made to travel southwards to Saint Pier – we tried to stay,
But were forced to continue onwards, many perished, many prayed.


Chorus

But Broussard found new homelands in the swamp groves – Spanish soil,
Laid our roots down in the Bayou with the gators, heat and toil.
Safe from war went back to farming, they called us Cajun, liberté,
We sang a chant, a Cajun rhythm, an ode to Broussard and La Cadie.
Louisiana squeeze box music, bayou culture, piping lot,
Zydeco in sweat-filled dance halls, rice and gumbo on the pot.

Chorus

But we remember our great Northland, we still miss our ancient home,
Nova Scotia, East Quebec, New Brunswick where hearts do roam.
They lead us back to stolen pastures and to fields of blood and tears,
Strong we stand, ACADIANA, proud ethnic courage never fears!

Chorus

Longue vie à mon La Cadie
Longue vie à mon La Cadie