"le compère" translated as "old Pa". Does compère have a different meaning to accomplice/fiend in this context?

Hi Martin, 

This is an interesting question and it got me thinking.

I take it to mean 'partner' in the story and of course, it rhymes with  'Mère'.

You might find the following page interesting -

https://frenchmoments.eu/cest-la-mere-michel/#t-1673875069603

Bonne Continuation !