"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 bons vieux gens,

Plaidoirie tu pour d'aide,

Ma mère loger chez toi,

Pour, moi soigner son, j'ai étais,

Pour, moi soigner son, j'ai étais.

Mon coeur, mais, pour (elle) bon pas,

J'etait de satisfaire,

Voyez notre maison,

Mais, coeur, elle est si petite, (elle) etait,

Mais, coeur, elle est si petite, (elle) etait.

Allez dans ce village,

Vous trouver-z-un logis,

Allez dans ce village,

Vous trouver-z-un logis.

Comment vous refusez,

Un soldat fatigué?

Te dur viens-moi t'as meme,

Te dur viens-moi t'as meme.

...

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, good gentlemen,

Pleading for your help,

My mother (needs) lodging with you,

For I'm looking after her, I am,

For I'm looking after her, I am.

My sweetie, well, she's not good,

I catered to her,

While watching over our house,

Well, sweetie, she's so small, she is,

Well, sweetie, she's so small, she is,

Go to this village,

You will find lodging,

Go to this village,

You will find lodging.

How can you refuse,

A tired soldier?

So hard even for me to come to you,

So hard even for me to come to you.

...

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)