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Tag Archives: anthony chaplain

A Very Happy French Accordion Posted by on Feb 9, 2013

Out of the Côtes-d’Armor in the Brittany Peninsula, bordering the shores of Saint-Malo, from whence hailed and sailed the seafaring ancestors of the legendary Surcouf, “le roi des corsaires“ (“the King of Corsairs”), came up a cheerful tune. A highly melodic theme, it revolved around a local demoiselle whom everybody called “Marie la dondaine.”  So far, so good. But what’s a “dondaine“, anyway? Is it…

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A Cheerful French Love Song Posted by on Apr 22, 2011

Out of the les Côtes-d’Armor of the Brittany Peninsula, bordering the shores of Saint-Malo, from whence hailed and sailed the seafaring ancestors of the legendary Surcouf, “le roi des corsaires“ (“the King of Corsairs”), une voix (a voice) Bretonne sings a cheerful tune about a local girl nicknamed “Marie la dondaine.“ But what’s a “dondaine“, you may ask? Could it…

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