Une Chance Qu’on S’a: Meaning, Lyrics, Writers, Covers

“Une chance qu’on s’a” is a Quebecois song that refuses to stay quiet—one that turns ordinary French into a lifelong shield against loneliness. Written by Jean-Pierre Ferland and set to music by Alain Leblanc, it first appeared on Ferland’s 1995 album “Écoute pas ça” and has quietly become essential at memorials where words fail.

Original Artist: Jean-Pierre Ferland · Co-Writer: Alain Leblanc · Release Year: 1995 · Notable Duet: Céline Dion · Album: Écoute pas ça

The table below consolidates the verified facts about the song, its creators, and its commercial history.

Who Wrote Une Chance Qu’on S’a?

The songwriting credits on “Une chance qu’on s’a” represent a genuine collaboration between two Quebec music figures. Jean-Pierre Ferland wrote the lyrics, while Alain Leblanc composed the music—a partnership that gave the song its distinctive character. This division of labor is notable because Ferland, already an established singer-songwriter, chose to bring in Leblanc specifically for the musical arrangement and composition.

Role of Alain Leblanc

Alain Leblanc’s contribution as composer is central to understanding the song’s emotional architecture. While Ferland’s lyrics carry the narrative weight—the protective promises, the tender nicknames, the declarations of eternal devotion—Leblanc’s melody provides the gentle urgency that makes those words land so effectively. According to L’envers des jours (music analysis blog), the collaboration represents one of Ferland’s most successful partnerships in terms of how the music amplifies the lyrical message.

What is the Meaning of Une Chance Qu’on S’a?

At its core, “Une chance qu’on s’a” is a song about the irreducible comfort of having someone who loves you back. The title itself translates roughly to “A chance that we have each other” or, more colloquially, “Thank God we have each other.” This isn’t abstract romantic sentiment—it’s a specific, almost defiant statement of mutual possession and protection.

Lyrics interpretation

The song unfolds through a series of images that parents will recognize immediately. The child calls the parent “mon p’tit loup” (my little wolf), while the parent responds with “mon bon chat” (my good cat)—endearing terms that reverse the usual power dynamic in touching ways. As documented by Paroles.net (official lyrics repository), the song’s most famous lines contain this protective promise: “J’suis pas très grand, pas très fort, mais que personne vienne te faire d’la peine sans d’abord me passer sur le corps.”

This translates to: “I’m not very tall, not very strong, but let nobody come make you sad without first going through me.” It’s a parent’s vow wrapped in gentle imagery, the kind of promise made in a child’s bedroom at bedtime that somehow manages to sound believable.

The song’s most haunting lines come near the end: “Tant que j’vivrai, même si je meurs”—”As long as I live, even if I die.” This extraordinary couplet suggests that love transcends mortality, that the protective bond persists beyond the grave. According to MUSEO Editions (publisher), the song “seeks to be a message of hope for all those facing difficult life experiences and their loved ones.”

The closing lines push this even further: “Le paradis c’est ici, y a pas d’autres vies, j’te donne la mienne parce que je t’aime à l’infini” (“Heaven is here, there are no other lives, I give you mine because I love you to infinity”). This is love as a complete gift of self, not conditional on living circumstances or reciprocation.

Who Sang at Jean-Pierre Ferland’s Funeral?

Following Jean-Pierre Ferland’s death, tributes from across Quebec’s music community honored his legacy. SOCAN members—Canada’s performance rights organization—gathered to celebrate his memory, with each participant choosing a favorite from his extensive repertoire. “Une chance qu’on s’a” featured prominently among the songs selected for homage, as documented by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Ginette Reno performance

Ginette Reno, a titan of Quebec music herself, has performed tributes to Ferland that included selections from his catalog. While the exact details of any direct funeral performance have not been fully documented in public records, the song’s themes of protection and eternal love make it a natural choice for memorial contexts.

The song’s suitability for funeral settings isn’t coincidental. Its lyrics directly address mortality, love that persists “even if I die,” and the promise that “heaven is here.” These aren’t metaphorically funeral themes—they’re explicitly about death and enduring connection. As CSHF.ca (Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame) documented in their tribute article, Ferland became known affectionately as “Le petit roi” (the little king) in these posthumous celebrations, with his songs serving as the primary vehicle for memorializing his contributions to Quebec culture.

Popular Covers of Une Chance Qu’on S’a

Beyond Ferland’s original recording, “Une chance qu’on s’a” has been interpreted by several artists, each bringing their own emotional shading to the lyrics.

Céline Dion duet

The most commercially visible version is the duet between Céline Dion and Jean-Pierre Ferland, recorded for Dion’s 2012 album “Sans attendre.” This collaboration was announced on August 19, 2012, according to Wikipedia, and represents the only major commercial cover by an internationally recognized artist.

The Dion-Ferland duet carries particular poignancy because of the album’s thematic content. “Sans attendre” (meaning “without waiting”) explores themes of parental loss—Dion’s father died in 2003—and the urgency of expressing love before it’s too late. The inclusion of “Une chance qu’on s’a” on this album creates a powerful resonance: the song’s themes of protective love and promises that outlast death align perfectly with Dion’s own emotional journey at that time.

An official music video exists for this duet version, available on YouTube, featuring both artists in what became one of Ferland’s final major media appearances.

2Frères and others

The Quebec country duo 2Frères have included the song in their repertoire, though comprehensive documentation of cover versions remains incomplete. A harmonization by Christian Roy for Groupe Vocal Privilège exists as a choral arrangement, demonstrating the song’s flexibility across performance styles.

The difficulty with documenting covers stems from the song’s primary association with funeral and memorial contexts—performances often occur in private memorial services rather than commercial recordings. This has created a situation where the song’s cultural importance likely exceeds its documented commercial covers.

Lyrics and Chords for Une Chance Qu’on S’a

For musicians interested in performing or learning the song, several resources exist that document the lyrics and provide chord guidance.

Full lyrics

Complete French lyrics are available through L’envers des jours (blog with full lyrical analysis) and Paroles.net (official lyrics database). English translations appear on Letras.mus.br, which provides line-by-line for English speakers learning the song.

Karaoke and chords

Karaoke versions exist on YouTube with instrumental tracks that allow practice sessions. Chord charts are available through guitar tabs websites and the choral arrangement published by Groupe Vocal Privilège, though the latter is oriented toward choral rather than solo guitar accompaniment.

“Une chance qu’on s’a se veut un message d’espoir pour toutes les personnes confrontées à des expériences de vie difficiles et pour leurs proches.”

— MUSEO Editions (Publisher)

“For her, the title means ‘don’t leave until tomorrow what you can do today,’ and that ‘today’ is the most important day.”

— Wikipedia (on Céline Dion’s approach to “Sans attendre”)

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