Know any Cajun Murderers?

Subject: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Nov 02 - 10:40 AM

there is a very interesting assertion inRaymond Francois' monumental collection of cajun songs "Ye Yaille Chere". Apropos of the similarity of the tune "Valse a Belisaire" to "The Hills of Roane Country", Francois observes, rather smugly: "I'm proud to say that we don't have any folksongs about murder and killings in our culture".
   Well, i could quiblle with him on the detail, I can think of one or two, but broadly speaking I'm sure he's right in drawing this distinction between Cajun and English-speaking American folksongs. Now the question this poses must have great relevance to the endless debate about guns, American disposition to violence, influence of media on peoples' behaviour etc etc. Is there, in fact, any difference in murder rate/violent crime statistics between French and English speaking Louisiana? anybody ever heard any talk about this?

Subject: RE: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: Genie
Date: 24 Nov 02 - 01:25 PM

Well, Amos Moses's Daddy used to "use him for alligator bait, Tie a rope around his neck, th'ow i'm in de Bayou!" Does that count as "attempted murder?" *BG*

Genie


(Yeah, yeah, I know it's a Jerry Reed song.)

Subject: RE: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 03:04 AM

I've heard a few people murdering Cajun music. Not sure if they were actually Cajun.

Subject: RE: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 08:40 AM

I read a recent article about someone that had trained chimpanzees to play Cajun music; apparently the band is doing very well particularly in south Manchester where their subtle use of Cajuns 2 chords is greatly appreciated.
PP

Subject: RE: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: Amos
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 09:20 AM

Wish I had some statistics. I don't know enough Cajun music to judge, but I haven't heard any about violence -- mostly about food and women. I am sure there are crimes of violence among Cajun folk, but I wish I knew how often.

A

Subject: RE: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 09:45 AM

The second Cajun recording, La valse criminelle on one side and Hé Mom on the other, was also made in 1928 by Leo Soileau and Mayeus LaFleur. Hé Mombecame a huge hit because of its poignant lyrics in which LaFleur, an orphan, asks why his mother never comes to see him. The news coverage of LaFleur's murder on Oct. 28, 1928, in a Basile dance hall only nine days after the record was made also contributed to the song's strong reception. Creole accordionist Amédé Ardoin and Cajun fiddler Dennis McGee made several recordings shortly after that.

from: http://www.lft.k12.la.us/chs/la_studies/ParishSeries/FrenchMusic/CajunMusicChanged.htm

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Know any Cajun Murderers?
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 12:43 PM

Amadee Ardoin's death was possibly precipitated by a violent attack as well. And the first ever black French louisiana recording "Les Flammes denfer", by Douglas Bellard, is about a murder.( Francois knew the song well, but chose to ignore it in his analysis!)