ÇA IRA, sä ē-rạ, a popular song of the
great French Revolution. The origin and date
of this song are both uncertain, and there are
various versions of the words claiming to be
original. The words are generally supposed to
have been written by Ladre, a street singer, and
the melody was originally a popular carillon by
Bécourt, and a favorite air of Marie Antoinette. In all probability it dates from May or June
1790. French writers say that Benjamin
Franklin, in speaking of the American Revolution, frequently used the expression “Ça ira” (“it will succeed”). The French republicans caught up the phrase, and “consecrated” it to their own revolution in a popular hymn. The refrain of one version runs thus: —
referring to the rain which fell during the taking
of the Bastile. In 1797 the song was banned
by the Directory.