Harry Choates – Jole Blon (English vers.) – YouTube
“Jole Blon” is a French- Cajun waltz recorded by fiddler Harry Choates in 1946. “Jole Blon” is considered to be a classic in Cajun music, even recognized as the “Cajun National Anthem”. Although the song was recorded by Choates in 1946, the song first emerged from local tradition before becoming a nationally known song, and since then has been played by various artists. Choates’ “Jole Blon” was unique being that it was played in a different key than the traditional version. Additionally, the song included aspects of Western swing, due of Choates’ Texas influence. In essence, song is known for its upbeat melody and its celebration of the beauty of Cajun women, known as “Jole Blons.”
The genre, Cajun music is a folk music that originated in Louisiana and is known for its lively, upbeat rhythms and its accordion-heavy melodies. While Cajun music is mostly associated with Louisiana, it is also found in Texas, specifically in areas with a significant Cajun population. In Texas, Cajun music is typically performed at festivals, dance halls, and other community events.
Lyrics
Hey ha ha!
Jolie blonde, jolie fille
Chère petite, jolie coeur
Tu m’as laissé pour t’en aller
Avec un autre, mais chère petite fille
Dans l’pays de la Louisiane
Mais malheureuse
Oh, mais jolie coeur
Ca t’as fait à ton pauvre papa
Tu m’as laissé, mais, chère petite
Mais moi tout seul
Mais malheureux
Quelle espoir, mais quel avenir
Mais moi j’peux avoir?
Hey ha ha! Oh ha ha!
Chère petite, jolie blonde
Mais ca t’as dit, ma malheureuse
Quoi t’as fait? Tu vas avoir
Tu serais pitié
About the Harry Choates:
“Choates was known both as the ‘Fiddle King of Cajun Swing’ and ‘Parrain de La Musique Cajun’, the Godfather of Cajun Music (Stickney). Born in Louisiana, Harry Choates moved to Port Arthur, Texas in the 1930s with his mother. By the age of 12, Harry Choates played the fiddle for spare change in barbershops. Unfortunately, Choates had tough upbringings and a short life, dying at 28 under mysterious circumstances, and described as “a hopeless drunk in an Austin jail cell in 1951, where he was being held for non-support” (Stickney).
Are the Fiddle and Violin different instruments?
No! They are the same four-stringed instrument played with a bow, either plucked or strummed. The difference lies in how they are played in terms of music style. Fiddles are typically used for folk and country music while violin are played in a formal manner for classical music.
Interesting Facts:
Choates’ producer for ‘Jole Blon’ misspelled the name of the song, showing it as ‘Jolie Blonde’ in additional to also intermittently misspelled Choates’ own name.
Choate sold his rights to “Jole Blon” to Moon Mullican of Texas, for $ 50 and a bottle of liquor. Unfortunately, this act aligned with his carefree and ambitious-less character.
Work Cited
Vanillahustler. “Harry Choates – Jole Blon (English Vers.).” YouTube, YouTube, 15 Mar. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk85eUs06q4.
“Harry Choates – Jole Blon.” Discogs, https://www.discogs.com/release/4532167-Harry-Choates-Jole-Blon.
“Harry Choates – Jole Blon.” Genius, https://genius.com/Harry-choates-jole-blon-lyrics.
Writer, KEN STICKNEY | Staff. “’True Story of Jolie Blonde’ Features Flash-of-Brilliance Cajun Fiddler.” The Advocate, 6 Oct. 2019, https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/true-story-of-jolie-blonde-features-flash-of-brilliance-cajun-fiddler/article_8141adf4-e560-11e9-96ff-376d1c286544.html.
“Https://I.Pinimg.Com/Originals/11/9b/Dc/119bdc4c6f5294bbe151d5f89d72f…: Personal Mission Statement Examples, Mission Statement Examples, Personal Mission Statement.” Pinterest, 28 Mar. 2021, www.pinterest.com/pin/httpsipinimgcomoriginals119bdc119bdc4c6f5294bbe151d5f89d72f–440930619776076600/.
“Fiddle vs. Violin: Are Violins and Fiddles Different?” Violin vs Fiddle: What’s the Difference? | Johnson String Instrument, www.johnsonstring.com/violins-facts/fiddle-vs-violin.htm. Accessed 8 May 2023.
