"Chere Meon" - Jimmy Choate

Jimmie Choate was born in Bancker, Louisiana, not far from Abbeville.  He grew up playing music at an early age, similar to many of his siblings.   Although a distant cousin to the more well known Harry Choates, Jimmy was known to pattern himself after the western swing star during the 1940s.  

Oh, mais, chère mignonne, mais,  (re)gardes-donc bien, mais, quoi t'es après faire,

T'es après m'quitter pour t'en aller, mais, aussi loin, chère,

Moi j'connais, 'tite fille, jour à venir, chérie, 

J'vas revenir, pourquoi, pour toi, pour ca t'as fait.

Oh, Mr. Lyons.

Oh, mais, rappelle-toi de ça t'as fais, mais, z-avec moi,

Moi j'connais, il y a pas longtemps, mais, chère mignonne,

Tu connais, chère, moi j'peux plus te revoir,

Tu connais pour ça t'as fais, t'as pas bien fais.

Daily Advertiser
Apr 20, 1949

Quick to latch on to the success of Harry, Jimmie and his brother Pete decided to make a music career and they had qualms about marketing their name for their own success.  In 1948, Jimmy formed a group with himself on fiddle, his brother Charles "Pete" Choate on bass, Ronald Ray "Pee Wee" Lyons on steel guitar and Blackie Dartez on guitar and vocals.  Together, they recorded "Chere Meon" (#1009), an adaptation of the 1929 Joe Falcon recording "Aimer Et Pedre", for J.D. Miller's new record label Fais Do Do Records. 

Oh, well, dear cutie, well, so pay good attention, well, of what you're doing,

You're leaving me to go, well, so far away, dear,

I know, little girl, coming back one day, dearie,

I'll return, why are you doing that?

Oh, Mr. Lyons.

Oh, well, remember all that you've done, well, with me,

I know, over there, not long ago, well, dear cutie,

You know, dear I'll never see you again,

You know why you've done that, you've not been good.

1. Acadian All Star Special - The Pioneering Cajun Recordings Of J.D. Miller.  Liner notes.
2. Lyrics by Stephane F

Release Info:
Chere Meon | Fais Do Do F-1009-A
Petite Negress | Fais Do Do F-1009-B

Find:
Acadian All Star Special - The Pioneering Cajun Recordings Of J.D. Miller (Bear, 2011)