"La Valse De La Prison" - Hackberry Ramblers

The Hackberry Ramblers were the first band in southern Louisiana to bring electronic amplification to area dancehalls. Many of these venues still did not have electricity, and the Ramblers powered their primitive Sears-Roebuck “P. A. system” from the battery of Darbone’s idling Model-T Ford. The advent of amplification profoundly changed the local music scene. Until then only the accordion could cut through the noise of a crowd. Stringed instruments such as fiddle and guitar were barely audible and thus relegated to simple accompanying roles playing rhythm parts. Once they could be heard clearly, however, musicians who played these instruments were inspired to take solos and generally improve their technique, thus elevating the prevailing standards of musicianship.1

Dans la prison, chérie, assis sur mon lit,

Comment, donc, je vas faire, chérie, sans ma ‘tite fille?

Sans ma ‘tite fille, chérie, avec les yeux bleus,

Comment, donc, je vas faire, chérie, depuis tu m’aime p’us?

Depuis tu m’aime p’us, chérie, je vas m’en aller,

Je vas m’en aller, chérie, dans le paradis.

Crowley Daily Signal
Dec 30, 1940

The 1938 session that produced "La Valse De La Prison" (#2066) would be the band's last Cajun recording stint before the war.  Floyd and Danny Shreve backed Luderin up on guitar, with Floyd belting out the French vocals.  Claude Duhon filled in on bass.  In 1939, they disbanded briefly when Luderin quit playing after the death of his father in an oil-field accident. Luderin formed a new group in the 1940s, teaming with Crawford Vincent and Jack Theriot. The new band kept the old name — Hackberry Ramblers.  However, the Ramblers broke up again when some musicians were drafted for World War II. Darbone reorganized, bringing back Edwin Duhon and adding Eddie Shuler.2

In prison, dear, sitting on my bed,

How, then, will I go on, dear, without my daughter?

Without my daughter, dear, with blue yes,

How, then, will I go on, dear, since you love me?

Since you love me, darling, I'm gonna go,

I'm gonna go, dear, to paradise.

1. https://www.knowlouisiana.org/entry/hackberry-ramblers/
2. "Hackberry Ramblers Making music since 1933". DON KINGERY. American Press, Friday, September 24, 2004

Find:
Gran Prairie: Cajun Music Anthology, Vol. 3: The Historic Victor Bluebird Sessions (Country Music, 1994)
Cajun Louisiane 1928-1939 (Fremeaux, 2003)