The Revival in the Second Half of the Century
Abshire, part of the post war revival of the "old dance hall sound," recorded accordion sounds with song titles purposely incorporating the word “blues” to further his contention that he sang of Cajuns’ blues, such as his signature song"Pine Grove Blues" (1949). [ii]
LISTEN: Abshire's lyrics are about a lover asking his négresse (an affectionate term for “honey” from the blended Cajun-Creole language and not the literal translation of “black woman”), where she was all night, and he implies that she was cheating on him.
FRENCH:
Hé, négresse! ayoù t'as été hier au soir, ma négresse?
(J'ai été au village)
Hé, négresse! ayoù t'as été hier au soir, ma négresse?
(J'ai été au village et je m’ai saoulé)
T'as revenue à ce matin. Le soleil était après se lever.
Ça me fait de la peine pour toi.
Hé, négresse! ayoù t'as passé hier au soir, ma négresse?
(J’ai passé dans la barrière)
Hé, négresse! ayoù t'as passé hier au soir, ma négresse?
(J’ai passé dans la barrier. J’étais après me sauver)
T'as revenue à ce matin. Ta robe était toute dèchirée.
Ça me fait de la peine pour toi.
ENGLISH:
Hey, honey! Where have you been yesterday evening, my honey?
(I was in the village)
Hey, my honey, where have you been yesterday evening, my honey?
(I went to the village and got drunk)
You came back this morning. The sun was coming up.
I feel sorry for you.
Hey, honey! Where did you go last night, my honey?
(I passed by the fence)
Hey, honey! Where did you go last night, my honey?
(I passed in the fence. After I saved myself.)
You came back this morning. Your robe was all torn.
I feel sorry for you.