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Lesson

Heartache, Suffering, and Resilience: Sociocultural Themes in Cajun and Zydeco Music

Cajun and Zydeco Music: Flavors of Southwest Louisiana (6-8) / Heartache, Suffering, and Resilience: Sociocultural Themes in Cajun and Zydeco Music

The lyrics of Cajun and zydeco waltzes often explore the themes of heartache and suffering. Though nominally about love, this recurring theme also recalls the hardships that have been historically endured by the Cajun and Creole peoples. The lyrics of Cajun and zydeco two-steps often illustrate another important part of their cultural identities: resilience. Cajun and Creole musicians take pride in their ability to take songs with sad lyrics and turn them into upbeat, danceable numbers. Through this lesson, you can identify common sociocultural themes in Cajun and zydeco music and demonstrate the ways in which the expressive qualities of the music exemplify and/or contradict these themes.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

  1. Listening for Heartache & Suffering

    • identify and describe how Cajun and zydeco musicians express the theme of heartache and suffering in their music (especially waltzes).
    • 15 Minutes

  2. Listening for Resilience

    • identify and describe how Cajun and zydeco musicians express the theme of resiliency in their music.
    • 20+ minutes

  3. “Jambalaya” vs. “Grand Texas”

    • Identify and explain similarities and differences between the song “Jambalaya” and the Cajun standard “Grand Texas”.
    • 30+ minutes

More +
Less -

Bibliography

Text

Balfa, Dewey (arr.). "Parlez-nous a boire," lyrics. In The Best of Beausoleil. Arhoolie Records, 1997. Lyrics worksheet prepared by Mollie Farr.

“‘Big Texas’ – Julius ‘Papa Cairo’ Lamperez.” 2015, July 13. Early Cajun Music (blog).

 

Brasseaux, Ryan Andre. 2009. Cajun Breakdown: The Emergence of an American Made Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dôle, Gérard. 1990. Liner Notes for Cajun Social Music. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFW40006.

Guillory, Chuck (arr.). "Grand Texas and Jambalaya," trad., lyrics. In Grand Texas, as performed by Chuck Guillory and Papa Cairo. Arhoolie Records, 1998. Lyrics worksheet prepared by Mollie Farr.

Guiterrez, C. Paige. 1992. Cajun Foodways. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi.

Laird, Tracey E. W. 2005. Louisiana Hayride: Radio & Roots Music Along the Red River. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Ledet, Jennifer. 2011, June 8. “Lache Pas la Patate! (Don’t Drop the Potato!)” People Problems…Solved (blog). Ledet Management.

"Les flames de’enfer," trad., lyrics. In 15 Louisiana Zydeco Classics, as performed by Joe Falcon. Arhoolie Records, 1996. Lyrics worksheet prepared by Mollie Farr.

Savoy, Ann. 1984. Cajun Music: A Reflection of the People, Vol. I. Eunice, LA: Bluebird Press.

Spires, Will. 1977. “About the Musicians.” Liner Notes for Balfa, Dewey, D. L. Menard, and Marc Savoy. Under a Green Oak Tree. Arhoolie Records ARH00312.

Strachwitz, Chris. 2004. Liner Notes for Cajun Champs. Arhoolie Records ARH00327.

Audio*

McGee, Dennis. "O, Malheureuse." On J'ai été au bal (I Went to the Dance), Vol. 1, recorded 1981. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00331_111, 1990, streaming audio.

Falcon, Joe. "Les Flames De'enfer." On 15 Louisiana Zydeco Classics, recorded 1963. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00103_115, 1996, streaming audio.

Beausoleil and Michael Doucet. "Parlez Nous a Boire." On Parlez-nous a Boire & More, recorded 1984. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00322_113, 1990, streaming audio.

Williams, Lucinda. "Jambalaya." On Ramblin', recorded 1978. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, SFW40042_203, 1991, streaming audio.

Guillory, Chuck and Papa Cairo. "Grand Texas." On Grand Texas, recorded 1987. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00473_121, 1998, streaming audio.

Farr, Mollie. "Pronunciation Recordings: Lesson 8." recorded 2021. streaming audio.

Video*

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Cajun Waltz, by Dewey Balfa & the Balfa Brothers. Recorded 1976. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2005. video, 2:44. Streamed via YouTube. Uploaded by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. “Parlez nous à boire non parl du marriage” by Michael and David Doucet at 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Recorded 2007. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2008. video, 4:24.

Images*

Erskine, Reed and Susan. "Clifton Chenier," 1974, photograph. Washington, DC: Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution. Taken at the 1974 American Folklife Festival. Provided by the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, CFCH-FAF1974_0193.

Strachwitz, Chris. "D. L. Menard at His Chair Factory in Erath," 2004, photograph. In Arhoolie Records - Cajun and Zydeco, Jeff Place, web copy. Toby Dodds, site design. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 2021, Photo 8 in slideshow.

Yellin, Robert. "Dewey Balfa," photograph, 1996. In Dewey Balfa: Master of Cajun Music, Artist Spotlight by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2016, slideshow 1, photo 2.

Strachwitz, Chris. "Dennis McGee," photograph. In J'ai été au bal (I Went to the Dance), Vol. 1, Chris Strachwitz and Maureen Gosling, soundtrack and text editors. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 1990, p. 2.

Smith, Camilla. "Dewey & Rodney Balfa," photograph. In Cajun Fiddle, Old and New: Instruction, by Dewey Balfa. John Cohen, cover design. New York City, NY: Folkways Records, 1977, cover image.

Sessums, Christopher. "UAS Flower Sprout Snow," 2010, photograph. Flickr.

Anderson, Nancy, designer. Cajun Social Music. Philip Gould, photographer. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 1990, album cover.

Weil, Elizabeth, designer. Grand Texas, by Chuck Guillory. Chris Strachwitz, photographer. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 1998, album cover.

Jeffreyw. "Mmm... Jambalaya," 2014, photograph. Flickr.

Unknown photographer. "Hank Williams Wearing a Houndstooth Jacket and Holding a Guitar," n.d., photograph. Montgomery, AL: Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Unknown photographer. "Hank Williams Wearing a Pinstripe Suit and Smiling," n.d., photograph. Montgomery, AL: Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Clyne, Ronald, designer. Happy Woman Blues, by Lucinda Williams. New York City, NY: Folkways Records, 1980, album cover.

* Audio, video, and images listed in order of slideshow sequence.