Harlan, you are correct,
The words & music to "Ma Blonde est Partie" are right there on page 84 in Ms. Ann's book, but that is not the same version as is recorded by Amedee Breaux in the '50's and listed in Neal's website. Words and melody are different. The version Mr. Breaux recorded in the '50's is the melody that Doug Kershaw recorded in the '60's, but with English words, and that is the melody that everybody relates to because every C&W band in Texas plays it that way.
Thanks.
JB
Vielen Dank, Ron!
Both those sites had the lyrics that can be matched to the familiar melody. It looks like there is really no hard and fast way to sing this song.Every band just does their own thing. The Amedee Breaux version is different from the Clement Brothers version which is different from the Robert Jardell version which is different from the Ambrose Thibodeaux version, and on and on. This may be the national anthem of Louisiana, but it kind of reminds me of Willie Nelson singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" with 'Broad Stars' and 'Bright Stripes'. Oh well, the thought is there.
Thanks again,
JB
And if you were to have heard those singers in different environments they would likely have sung their own version differently. The nature of traditional Cajun music.
Well, I think that many singers sometimes just sang what they felt like that night, and many times the words might change a little from time to time. Plus the fact many songs were sung from memory from the way they thought they remembered hearing someone do it. Until not too long ago the words were not written down so it was all from memory. Cajun music also seems to lend itself to add libbing.
I love the way Dewey Balfa sings Jolie Blonde on his recording with marc Savoy and D.L. Ménard on the LP "Under a Green Oak Tree. His words are slightly different as well. Ever heard it? It's worth a listen.
About my favorite version of Jolie Blonde is Dewey singing it during a live performance in New York with the rest of the brothers and Nonc Allie Young. The only place I have seen that recording is at Cracker Barrel restaurants.