Jolie Louise – Lyrics Meaning in English – Isabelle Boulay

Jolie Louise translates to ‘pretty Louise’. The song navigates through the challenges Jean-Guy faces, from losing his job at the mill to seeking solace in alcohol as his world crumbles around him. The desperation in his voice is palpable as he grapples with his inner demons and the consequences of his actions, including the loss of his family.

Singer – Isabelle Boulay

Ma jolie, how do you do?
Mon nom est Jean-Guy Thibault-Leroux
I come from east of Gatineau
My name is Jean-Guy, ma jolie

My pretty, how do you do?
My name is Jean-Guy Thibault-Leroux
I come from east of Gatineau
My name is Jean-Guy, my pretty

J’ai une maison ?? Lafontaine
Where we can live, if you marry me
Une belle maison ?? Lafontaine

I have a house ?? Fountain
Where we can live, if you marry me
A beautiful house ?? Fountain

Where we will live, you and me
Oh Louise, ma jolie Louise

Where we will live, you and me
Oh Louise, my pretty Louise

Tous les matins au soleil
I will work ’til work is done
Tous les matins au soleil
I did work ’til work was done

Every morning in the sun
I will work until work is done
Every morning in the sun
I did work ’til work was done

And one day, the foreman said
?? Jean-Guy, we must let you go ??
Et pis mon nom, y est pas bon

And one day, the foreman said
?? Jean-Guy, we must let you go??
And my name is not good

At the mill anymore…
Oh Louise, I’m losing my head,
I’m losing my head

At the mill anymore…
Oh Louise, I’m losing my head
I’m losing my head

My kids are small, 4 and 3
Et la bouteille, she’s mon ami
I drink the rum ’tilI I can’t see
It hides the shame Louise does not see

My kids are small, 4 and 3
And the bottle, she’s my friend
I drink the rum until I can’t see
It hides the shame Louise does not see

Carousel turns in my head,
And I can’t hide, oh no, no, no, no
And the rage turned in my head

Carousel turns in my head,
And I can’t hide, oh no, no, no, no
And the rage turned in my head

And Louise, I struck her down,
Down on the ground
I’m losing my mind, I’m losing my mind

And Louise, I struck her down,
Down on the ground
I’m losing my mind, I’m losing my mind

En Septembre ’63
Kids are gone, and so is Louise.
Ontario, they did go
Near la ville de Toronto

In September ’63
Kids are gone, and so is Louise.
Ontario, they did go
Near the city of Toronto

Now my tears, they roll down,
Tous les jours
And I remember the days,

Now my tears, they roll down,
Every day
And I remember the days,

And the promises that we made
Oh Louise, ma jolie Louise, ma jolie Louise.

And the promises that we made
Oh Louise, my pretty Louise, my pretty Louise.