The Song of Seven Oaks

The following is a small, impromptu song celebrating the victory at the Battle of Frog Plains (or Seven Oaks), created by Pierre Falcon as he rode away after the battle.

Falcon lived in Manitoba, working for the Hudson's Bay Company, and was said to have been well-respected by his people.  Many of his descendants reside in communities across the region, including a prominent family group residing at the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation in North Dakota.

Come listen to this song of truth!
A song of the brave Bois-brule's,
Who at Frog Plain took three captives,
Strangers come to rob our country.
  
When dismounting, there to rest us,
A cry is raised the English!
They are coming to attack us,
So we hasten forth to meet them.
  
I looked upon their army,
They are motionless and downcast;
So, as honour would incline us,
We desire with them to parley.
  
But their leader, moved with anger,
Gives the word to fire upon us;
And imperiously repeats it,
Rushing on to his destruction.
  
Having seen us pass his stronghold,
He had thought to strike with terror
The Bois-brule's: ah! mistaken,
Many of his soldiers perish.
 
But a few escaped the slaughter,
Rushing from the field of battle,
Oh, to see the English fleeing!
Oh, the shouts of their pursuers!
  
Who has sung this song of triumph?
The good Pierre Falcon has composed it,
That the praise of these Bois-brules
Might be evermore recorded.

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Learn more at:
Hamilton, J.C., (1876). The prairie province, sketches of travel from Lake Ontario to Lake Winnipeg, and an account of the geographical position, climate, civil institutions, inhabitants, productions and resources of the Red River Valley; with a map of Manitoba and part of the North-West territory and the District of Kewatin, plan of Winnipeg, and of the Dawson route, view of Fort Garry, and other illustrations.  ​Toronto : Belford