Celeron (song)

"Celoron" is a folk song written by Robert Schmertz to describe an expedition in June 1749.

He had received instructions from the Comte de la Galissoniere to protect the French trading activities in lands west of the Allegheny Mountains from the British Ohio Company.

Celeron led the expedition of Indians and Frenchmen to the St. Lawrence River and Montreal.

As they traveled down the Allegheny toward Pittsburgh, they deposited various lead plates that announced that the land belonged to Louis, King of France.

The upper Allegheny they called the 0 - hi - 0 -- And down the river valley canoe-ing they did go Said Celoron "La Belle Riviere!

Along the river valley they laid their plates of lead Which bore a French inscription which very boldly read "I, Celoron de Dlainville, do claim by this advance The land of the Ohio for Louis, King of France!"

-- Down past Monongahela the voyageurs did roam, And up Miami River they paddled back for home But soon the men of Britain came on the plates of lead -- It won't bear repetition just what the British said!