Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on this song. It cites only one example, from Page 351 of Norm Cohen's American Folk Songs: A Regional Encyclopedia. The version in the Digital Tradition is a near-exact transcription of the version in Cohen. Cohen's notes say the song was first recorded in 1929 by Amedee Breaux, supposedly about one of his wives, but his stepson stated it was his sister and accompanist Cleoma Breaux who actually wrote the words. Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics: JOLIE BLONDE
Pretty blonde, look at what you've done You left me to go To go with another than me What hope and what future can I have?
Pretty blonde, you left me all alone To go back to your family If you hadn't listened to the advice of the others You'd be here with me today.
Pretty blonde, you thought you were the only one You're not the only one in the world for me to love I will find another pretty blonde God knows, that I love so much.
Pretty blonde, to die would be nothing It's just staying in the ground for a long time I don't know what I'll do if you don't come back, baby Come back to me in Louisiana.
JOLIE BLONDE Traditional
Jolie Blonde, 'gardez donc, quoi t'as fait Tu m'as quitte' pour t'en aller Pour t'en aller avec un autre, oui, que moi Quel espoir et quel av'nir mais moi je peux avoir?
Jolie blonde, tu m'as laisse' moi tout seul Pour t'en aller chez ta famille Si t'aurais pas ecoute' tous les conseils de les autres Tu serais ici avec moi aujourd'hui.
Jolie blonde, tu croyais il y avait juste toi Il y'a pas juste toi dans le pays pour moi aimer Je va's trouver juste une autre jolie blonde Bon Dieu sait, moi, j'aime tant.
Jolie blonde, mourir, ca serait pas rien C'est de rester dans la terre aussi longtemps Moi j'vois pas quoi faire si tu reviens pas, be'be' T'en revenir avec moi dans la Louisiane.
@Cajun filename[ JOLIBLON TUNE FILE: JOLIBLON CLICK TO PLAY GG apr97
And here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry: Jolie Blonde DESCRIPTION: Cajun French. "Jolie Blonde, 'gardez donc, quoi t'as fait...." The singer accuses his "pretty blonde" of running off with someone else, and asks what future he can have. He declares that he will find another pretty blonde -- then asks her to come back AUTHOR: Amadee and/or Cleoma Breaux EARLIEST DATE: 1929 (recording, Amadee Breaux et al) KEYWORDS: foreignlanguage love separation FOUND IN: US REFERENCES (1 citation): Cohen-AFS1, p. 351, "Ma Blonde Est Partie (Jolie Blonde)" (1 text) File: CAFS1351
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