DCHP-1 Online
paddling song Hist. 
a chanson sung by the voyageurs, in rhythm with their paddling or rowing.
See also: boat song
- 1793 (1933) . . . our canoe went well and the crew sung paddling songs in a vociferous manner.
- 1844 (1955) . . . they arrived in Toronto singing French paddling songs all up the street. . . .
- 1955 The two half-breeds who accompanied him were in a state of exhilaration and intoxication, bellowing their paddling songs at the tops of their voices as they were accustomed to do on arrival at the trading-posts in the western territories.
- 1793 (1933) . . . our canoe went well and the crew sung paddling songs in a vociferous manner.