"La Breakdown La Louisianne" - Walker Brothers

While Lawrence Walker garnered local fame in south Louisiana during the 1950s, very few recall his early career playing music both in Louisiana and in Texas.   In 1929, he was invited to record in a studio for the very first time.  Lawrence Walker was a man who "played" for a living ever since he was a child.  It was near the Texas border, in the little Louisiana town of Adgerly that Walker played for his first dance. He recalls:

I remember the chair was so high my father had to put a box under my feet and the accordion so big, it hid my face. My father did not want me to play before because I was too young.  It's a strain on the chest.3

Daily Advertiser
May 17, 1947

Tite fille, tu m'fais pitié de t'avoir après pleurer,

De t'voir après pleurer comme un pauve malheureuse, chère,

C'est moi, c'est moi la cause si ton cœur est si cassé,

Tite fille, prend-donc courage, prend pas donc ça si dur.

Tite fille, prend-donc courage puis vien toi avec moi,

Tite fille, mais, j'va t'soigner jusqua à l'jour de ta mort, chère,

Comment tu veux je fais, j'su'assez mais moi tour seul?

Tit fille, prend-donc courage, prend pas donc ça si dur.

Texas Centennial, 1936

Lawrence would always have an affection for the Texas people.  By 1929, Lawrence and his brother Elton headed to Dallas, TX for their very first session with Brunswick records.  There, they waxed "La Breakdown La Louisianne" (#381).  

Admiring the music of Texas, good friend and cultural folklorist, Dr. Lauren Post, became chairman of the Louisiana section of the National Folk Festival in Dallas.4 In 1936, it was the Texas Centennial celebration and the western swing craze of the 30s drew many Cajun musicians away from their own music and toward more Anglicized forms.2  That year, Lauren was called to create a group, which he called the "Little Acadian Band", to perform at the festival on multiple stages and at several key events.4  Walker said:

The little band was so different and proficient in its folk playing that it was popular wherever it played at the festival.1

Little girl, you made me pitiful when I saw you crying,

Saw you crying like a poor unfortunate one, dear,

It's me, it's my fault if your heart is broken,

Little girl, have courage, don't take it so hard.

Little girl, have courage then come with me,

Little girl, well, I'll take care of you until your dying day, dear,

How will I handle this, I am sorry but I'm alone?

Little girl, have courage, don't take it so hard.

In 1949, Nathan Abshire recorded the song as the "Iota Two Step".  As time when on, Walker played his accordion night after night, year after year. The strain of the accordion was such a burden, he had to wear a tight band over his chest for relief.3  Yet, he continued playing and recording until the 1960s.

1. South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous By John Broven
2. Southern Music/American Music By Bill C. Malone
3. Lawrence Walker Interview.  Mona Mel Mouton.  Jan 18, 1968.
4. Cajun Dancehall Heyday by Ron Yule
5. Lyrics by Stephane F
6. NOTE: Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004) has both Brunswick 381 sides reversed.

Release Info:
DAL-545 La Breakdown La Louisianne | Brunswick 381
DAL-546 La Vie Malheureuse | Brunswick 381

DAL-545 La Breakdown La Louisianne | Brunswick 80084

DAL-546 La Vie Malheureuse | Brunswick 80084

Find:

Louisiana Cajun Music Volume 1: First Recordings - The 1920's (Old Timey, 1970)
Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004)