Re: Is there a Cajun french version of Cotton Fields?
Yes, there is one. I have it sung in French on an old vinyl LP (probably re-released on CD) by Blackie Forestier.
It's on La Louisiane Records (LL 135), "Blackie Forestier's Cajun Music". You will have the accordion of course. I will check if I can note down the words.
Re: A Cajun French version of Cotton Fields (lyrics)
As sung by Blackie Forestier :
Cotton Fields
Quand j’étais un petit bébé
Ma maman me berçait dans ses bras
Dans les clos de coton de Grand Bosco,
(twice)
Je ramassais pas un tas de coton,
Tous les grabeaux z’ étaient pourris
Dans les clos de coton de Grand Bosco,
Quand j’étais un petit bébé
Ma maman me berçait dans ses bras
Dans les clos de coton de Grand Bosco.
Quand j’étais un petit garçon
Ma maman me berçait dans ses bras
Dans les clos de coton des Iles de Pins,
(twice)
Je ramassais pas assez du coton
Pour nous acheter z’un loaf de pain
Dans les clos de coton des Iles de Pins
Quand j’étais un petit garçon
Ma maman me berçait dans ses bras
Dans les clos de coton des Iles de Pins.
I grew up about 7 miles WSW of Pine Island. Pine Island isn't really a town, just a region south of a real town (Elton) and west of Hathaway (basically a k-12 school and a four corner stop). But I never picked cotton...
Blackie was the first professional Cajun musician I ever heard. I was four years old at Lacassine Mardi Gras. I told him his music was too loud! ( I had never heard an amplified band before) He really made a big impression on me and I heard him play for years around Lacassine, Welsh, and Jennings. I think he was sheriff of Jeff Davis Parish for a while. He really had some good musicians in his bands, especially those early records.
Juste un nom, hein, et voilà tout un monde qui réapparaît. De la bonne musique, ouais !
Since I took out that old album again I have redicovered great forgotten songs (forgotten by me at least), like that beautiful Louisburg Waltz. I have kept listening to it since yesterday.
Chris, t'es retournée dans ta maison ? Elle est en bon état ?
Ma maison est bon, mais mon ami, Dale, avait quatre arbres dans la sienne! Ma famille est a Austin, TX pour quelques jours. Il y a pas electricite dans Lac Charles ou Lacassine ou Port Arthur...plus sur mon site www.bayouroots.com