"C'est Mauvais De Dire Un Mensonge (It's A Sin To Tell A Lie)" - Cleoma Breaux

Much of recorded Cajun music had converted from accordion-led bands to Cajun string bands by 1935.   In fact, the Falcons were the last Cajun recording artists to still use the accordion in their sessions.   Almost all others had either converted over to the contemporary style or retired from recording all together.   Given their unique position and popularity, Cleoma and Joe not only adopted regional folk songs into their string band sound, but also covered popular radio tunes of the day. 

Peut-être c’est vrai quand tu dis que tu m’aimais,

C’est un péché de dire une menterie,

Une million de cœur qu’a été cassé,

Par la parole a été parlée,

"Ouais je t’aime, ouais que je t’aime

Tu connais que je t’aime",

Si tu casses mon cœur, ça va me tuer,

T’es sûr que c’est vrai quand tu dis que tu m’aimes?

C’est un péché de dire une menterie.

Peut-être c’est vrai quand tu dis que tu m’aimais,

C’est un péché de dire une menterie,

Une million de cœur qu’a été cassé,

Par la parole a été parlée,

"Ouais, je t’aime, tu connais que j't’aime, chère",

Si tu casses mon cœur, ça va me tuer,

T’es sûr que c’est vrai quand tu dis ouais tu m’aimes?

C’est un péché de dire une menterie.

Cleoma Breaux and Joe Falcon

"It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" is a popular 1936 Fats Waller song originally created by Billy Mayhew.2   Billy was featured on singer Kate Smith's popular Washington D.C. radio show where the tune was introduced to the world.1  Waller's rendition was produced early that year on records with many dance bands including Dick Robertson.2  By 1937, Cleoma, probably along with her brother Clifford, was covering Waller's "Lulu's Back In Town" and as well as this classic "C'est Mauvais De Dire Un Mensonge (It's A Sin To Tell A Lie)" for Decca (#17028)

Maybe it's true when you say you loved me,

It is a sin to tell a lie,

One million hearts that have been broken,

By the words that were spoken,

"Yes, I love you, yes, I love you,

You know I love you",

If you break my heart, it will kill me,

Are you sure it's true when you say you love me?

It is a sin to tell a lie.

Maybe it's true when you say you loved me,

It is a sin to tell a lie,

One million hearts that have been broken,

By the words that were spoken,

"Yes, I love you, you know that I love you, dear",

If you break my heart, it will kill me,

Are you sure it's true when you say you love me?

It is a sin to tell a lie.

Daily Advertiser
Jun 7, 1937

A version by Somethin Smith and the Redheads reached #7 on Billboard's 1955 listings.1  Other artists who have recorded versions include Billie Holiday, The Ink Spots, and Tony Bennett.2  

1. Hit Songs, 1900-1955: American Popular Music of the Pre-Rock Era By Don Tyler
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Sin_to_Tell_a_Lie
3. Lyrics by Jordy A

Release:
61910-A C'est Mauvais De Dire Un Mensonge (It's A Sin To Tell A Lie) DE 17028 A
61906-A Prairie De Pin (Pine Prairie) DE 17028 B

Find: 
Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004)