Think Carlton Frank wrote it, and I've heard versions by Jeffrey Broussard, and Steve Riley. But, can't seem to decipher the lyrics. Any help is much appreciated.

Steve

Is it on Domino or Bon Rêve? If it's the one I think, it's in Cajun French with a strong Creole flavour.

It's on Bon Rêve, and also on Keeping the Tradition Alive (Jeffery Brousard). The latter is pure Creole, and the one I'm more familiar with, but having a hard time getting the lyrics.

Steve

Blackie Foreman also does this number with the
Fa Tras band. Only place I have heard it.
They do have a CD out, and I have a copy.
If I can figure how to rip it and e-mail it to you,
and that is legal, I would be glad to.
JB

Difficult, Jeffery Broussard sings in Creole French.
I heard this song on its website (track 11).
This song is also on the booklet "Bon rêve", but lyrics are a little bit different.
Here is lyrics, but I am not absolutly certain.

Oh, mam ,
A comment j’va voir chère ?
Oh, mam,
Ma tite fille, mon garçon.
Oh, mam,
A comment j’va voir chère ?
Oh, mam,
Mon moma (?) , ma tite fille.

Marc.

Thanks. Basically, only one verse, but really tough for me. I've gone to a friend who teaches French (her primary language), and teaches Americans in France for the summer. I've brought her Bois Sec songs to transcribe for me, but she's had little luck. In fact, she still blushes when she hears the word 'catin' in a song.

Steve

No guarantee on the spellings, but this is what I hear. Sounds lonesome.

Oh mam, et ou toi t'es?
Oh, mam, moi j'm'ennui de toi.
Oh, mam, mon pap aussitte,
Oh, mam, grandpere et grandmere.
Oh, mam, mes freres et mes soueurs,
Oh, mam, cousins et cousinnes.

Oh, mam, moi j'm'ennui de toi,
oh, mam, les enfants aussitte,
oh, mam, mes neveus et mes nieces
oh, mam, mes nonc's et mes tantes,

If I have time tonight, I'll take a crack at it and get back to you...

He Mom, Lyrics
I think I got this from Bryan or another brave a few months ago (on this board too!)
but is is slightly different than the previous (maybe Mayeuse Lafleur's, who did the first recording, no question)

O mam, et ou toi t'es?
Chere mam, comment ca se fait
que jamais je te voir encore?
Chere mam, et ou toi t'es?
(Oh mom, where you at?
Dear mom, why is it
that I never see you anymore?
Dear mom, where are you?)

Eh mam, comment ca se fait
j'ai jamais des nouvelles
de toi, chere maman?
J'voudrais to revoir,
Mais Yaille Yaille!
(Hey mom. How is it
I never have any news
about you, dear mama?
I would like to see you again.
Mais yaille yaille)

Hey yaille, maman
J'voudrais te voir quand meme.
Te voir avant d'mourir.
Chere mam, hey yaille yaille
(Hey yaille, mama.
I'd like to meet you anyway.
To see you before I die.
Dear mom, hey yaille yaille)

Hey mam, moi j'prends ca dur
Pas savoir, jamais te voir.
Ye yaille, chere maman
je te demande te voir
(Hey mom, I take it hard
Not knowing, never seeing you.
Ye yaille, dear mama
I ask to see you)

Hey yaille yaille
Hey yaille, chere mam
Yaille, comment ca se fait
Moi, j'sus comme ca, yaille
(Hey yaille
Hey yaille, dear mom
Yaille, how is it
that me, I'm like that?)

Hey yaille, j'irais
Viens avec moi la bas.
Je m'en vas, chere mama.
Hey yaille, hey vas la bas
(Hey yaille, I would go
Come with me, over there
I'm going, dear mom
Hey yaille, I'm going over there)

O mam, prepare toi.
Ton negre, il passe ce soir
(Oh mom, get ready.
Your boy is coming this evening)

O mam, gardez donc
Viens voir qui c'est t'as eu
(Oh mom, looky here
Come see who you had)

Transcription by Catherine Blanchet from Meaux, Vermilion parish Louisiana, 1971, on Old timey lp 109, Louisiana Cajun Music Volume 2, The Early '30s. Mrs. Blanchet did other transcriptions for Chris Strachwitz.

That's a different song.

Sorry Bryan.

Did I get the lyrics from you, the other day=

Gus

Here's what I hear:

Oh Mam, c'est ou toi t'es (where are you?)
Oh Mam, ouais j'm'ennuie de toi (yeah, I miss you)
Oh Mam, mon Papa aussi (my dad too)
Oh Mam, grand-père et grand-mère (my grand-father and grand-mother)
Oh Mam, mes frères et mes soeur (my brothers and sisters)
Oh Mam, mes cousins, mes cousines (my cousins)

solo

Oh Mam, ouais je m'ennuie de toi (I miss you)
Oh Mam,les enfants aussi (the kids too)
Oh Mam, mes neveux et mes nièces (my nephews and nieces)
Oh Mam, et mes oncles et mes tantes (my oncles & aunts)

solo

End

Hi Bryan...
just wondering if the first version I heard and love is quite a bit different the the Mamou Playboys version?
Have you heard the version on "Creole Connection"?

If not, I will send it to you..

See ya,
Kirk Jones

The lyrics and music are the same, he just sings it all in one verse. One thing I found interesting that no one else here will is that he used the word "poupa" for "pap", something I thought was only used in the Mamou/Ville Platte area.

Thanks Kirk.

Hello Kirk,

Long time. Hope you're well.
Actually, he's Keiths great-uncle - Carlton.
He came to Balfa camp a few years ago, oxygen tank in tow, and played after lunch, and that night with the Frank Family Band. It's not a surprise that Rileys band covered it, as I remember David listening intently.

I believe Carlton passed away a couple of years ago. Another huge loss.

Regards,
Joel

Ça c'est exactement ce que j'entends.