"Le Soldat Fatigue" - John Bertrand & Roy Gonzales

John Bertrand may have been one of the more obscure artists during the early Cajun recording era, but his music seems to have had earlier origins than many of the Cajun folk songs of the time.  His mother, Nora Boone, recalled and recited many French folk songs her family had passed down from Europe.  Each one possessed a different theme and melody in which Bertrand translated into an accordion-led melody.

Bonsoir mes bonnes gens, 

Si c'eût été possible,

De me loger ce soir,

Pour moi soyez sensibles, 

Pour moi soyez sensibles. 

Puisque ne pouvant pas,

Ici vous satisfaire, 

Voyez notre maison,

N'est qu'un lieu si petit, 

N'est qu'un lieu si petit.

Allez dans un village,

Vous trouverez un logis, 

Allez dans un village,

Vous trouverez un logis. 

Comment vous refusez,

À un soldat fatigué,

Qui devient moi-même, 

Qui devient moi-même. 

Et votre fils enfin,

Se trouverait dans ses bras,

Où vos dures satisfactions, 

Vos maudites satisfactions.

À tout moment que je finis,

Vous m'arrachez les âmes,

Je vois bien qui les mange,

Dans les années souffrantes, 

Dans les années souffrantes. 

Reconnaissez-moi ma main, 

Si je viens chez moi mince,

La mort ne parle pour moi, 

Mais j'aime toujours la vie, 

Mais j'aime toujours la vie.

Mais mon bras c'est une méthode,

Et toi ma chère amie,

Je vis toujours pour toi,

Avec un espoir immense, 

Avec un espoir immense.

19th century French soldier
Image by Alexandr Sidorov

Having teamed up with Acadia Parish guitarist and yodeler Roy Gonzales, John brought along his son Anthony and the trio headed to Chicago in the winter of 1929 where they recorded "Le Soldat Fatigue" (#12763).  Songs like this may have come from French nursery rhymes similar to "Pauvre Soldat" commonly sung in France.  In this piece, the song describes an old soldier looking for a place to sleep.  He is refused a the first place and told to go to another town. Many of these Old World songs have their origins during the Napoleon Era.  

Good evening, gentlemen,

If it's possible,

To lodge me tonight,

Consider me,

Consider me.

Since, I cannot,

Help you here,

You see, our house,

It's such a small place,

It's such a small place.

Go to a village,

You will find lodging,

Go to a village,

You will find lodging.

How can you refuse,

A tired soldier,

Someone like myself?

Someone like myself?

And your son finally,

Would find himself in his arms,

Where your harsh satisfactions,

Your cursed satisfactions.

Every moment while dying,

You tear my soul away,

I see clearly who consumes it,

In my suffering years,

In my suffering years.

Take my hand,

If I come home dying,

Death doesn't represent me,

Well, I still love life,

Well, I still love life.

Well, my arms is the way,

For you, my dear friend,

I still live for you,

With immense hope,

With immense hope.

1. https://oldtimeparty.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/early-american-cajun-music/
2. Lyrics by Jordy A, SS, and Stephane F

Release Info:
21248-2 La Fille Du Jolier (The Jailor's Daughter) | Paramount 12763-A
21251-2 Le Soldat Fatigue (The Tired Soldier) | Paramount 12763-B

Find:
John Bertrand / Blind Uncle Gaspard / Delma Lachney Early American Cajun Music (Yazoo, 1999)