"Elle M'a Oublie (She Has Forgotten Me)" - Joe Falcon

Early 20th century Cajun music, and the industry that surrounded it, was dominated by men.  Much of this had to do with the reputation the music had among others in the community.  Generally, the music was played in places known for drinking, fighting and decadence; places where a urban lady typically wouldn't be found.  When Cleoma Breaux followed her brother's lead and joined up with Joe Falcon to become a professional musician, she challenged the industry's mentality of the time.   This heightened the group’s drawing power among men, although some women were reportedly resentful – even more so, perhaps, because Cleoma was a sharp dresser whose wardrobe reflected the latest national fashion trends. Atypically, the Falcons were able to make a living playing music alone, with no need for day jobs.

Ville Platte Gazette
Dec 14, 1929

Eh, chère, rapelle-toi j’ai promete,

Et j'étais d’accord, quoi tu m’as fait?

Chère, moi, je peux plus,

T’endurer, jolie cœur.

Toi, tu m’as promis, chère,

De plus faire ça et regarde-donc,

Quoi t'après faire aujourd’hui, chère,

Ça c’est dur, oui, pour moi t’endurer.

Quand même tu veux pas, chère,

T’as pas promis il y a pas longtemps, jolie fille,

Tu rappelle-toi quoi t’as fair, jolie cœur?

Oui, c’est de me voir, chère,

Si loin de toi après jongler sans savoir, jolie fille,

Chère, si jamais tu vas d’etre à la traîne.

Petite, tu devrais, chère,

Viens observer il y a si longtemps quoi t’as fais avec moi,

Chère, si tu jongle à moi,

Tu vas voir pour toi-même.

Petite, si tu voudrais, chère,

Donc, me prendre, tu saurais quoi moi je ferais pour toi-même,

Chère, tu te regretterais-donc jamais toute ta vie.

Cleoma and Joe Falcon
Courtesy of Alain Chenneviere

At this time, the role of women in Cajun music was relegated to the home, and a repertoire that primarily consisted of ballads, lullabies, and other a capella music not conceived for dancing. This mindset made it all the more remarkable when Columbia signed Cleoma, along with her partner Joe, to their own recording contract in 1929.1  The duo brought along her brothers Amede and Ophy to Atlanta as accompaniment. Together, the group recorded a song called "Elle M'a Oublie" (#40508) about a lover's broken promise.   

Hey, dear, remember, I promised,

And I agreed, what did you do to me?

Dear, I can not,

Endure you, pretty sweetheart,

You promised me, dear,

Never to do that, and so look,

What you are doing today, dear,

That's hard, yeah, for me to endure you.

Even if you do not want to, dear,

You didn't promise all that long ago, pretty girl,

Do you remember what you did, pretty sweetheart?

Yeah, it's to see me, dear,

So far from you after reminiscing yet not knowing, pretty girl,

Dear, if you're ever going to lag behind.

Little one, you should, dear,

Come and see how long ago, what you've done with me,

Dear, if you reminisce with me,

You'll see for yourself,

Little one, if you like, dear,

So, take me, you would know what I would do, for yourself,

Dear, you'll never regret this for the rest of your life.

Lake Charles American Press
Dec 14, 1951

1. http://musicrising.tulane.edu/discover/people/452/Breaux-Cleoma
2. Lyrics by Stephane F and Francis M

Release Info:
W110551-1 C'est Si Triste San Lui (It Is So Blue Without Him) | Columbia 40508-F OKeh 90008
W110554-2 Elle M'a Oublie (She Has Forgotten Me) | Columbia 40508-F OKeh 90008

Find:
Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004)