Les Blues de Balfa

[bobbyjordan37]

en vieux français c'est très beau

[jondoe8889]

The brothers were on their way to Pittsburgh, for a concert, when the brothers were killed. Dewey played alone that night. Great guy!

[yohnnyg]

Rest in Peace Mr. Balfa...you music will live on! thank you thank you Merci!

[natwelch]

What a beautiful film - the joy amidst the deep sadness of loss accentuates the fact that family and culture can be so sustaining

[puremongrel]

This is better

[Jurbaga]

Why does it sound like the last lyrics of "Les Barres de la Prison"? Ma pauvre vieille maman Elle s'a mis sur ses genoux Ses deux mains sur la tete en pleurant pour moi Elle dit, "Mm-mm, Cher petit garcon Moi, je vas jamais te revoir. Toi, t'as ete condamne Pour la balance de ta vie Dans les barres de la prison" J'ai dit, "Chere vieille maman, Pleure pas pour moi, Faut tu pries pour ton enfant pour essayer de Sauver son ame, De les flammes de l'enfer"

[justmusicandme]

@Jurbaga : I love Cajun music. It must be wonderful to understand the lyrics so well! (High school French does not help me much here!)

[ASSMAK]

just out of this world this man is GOD

[blafleur886]

Willspires, you were right the first time, it was Douglas Bellard. He went to jail for killing a guy stealing chickens. He also made the song Austin Pitre became famous for, "Les Flammes D'En Fer".

[willspires]

Glad there is still strong interest in this. As I heard the story many years ago around Eunice, Basile and Mamou, the song was learned and played by Douglas Bellard, a mentor and contemporary of Canray Fontenot. (For detais, see Ann Savoy's works). The lore of the song is that it came from Angola prison, played and sung by a condemned man before his execution. This iinks it with a cycle of "MacPhersons Lament, "or "The Last of Callahan," or Dennis McGee's "Valse de Guilbeau Pelloquin."

[Stefanochti]

C'est "les barres de la prison"

[stefalbert]

One of the most authentic cajun performers.....so beautiful !

[willwkrueger]

what is the name of the song Dewey sings in this segment?

[willspires]

La Valse de la Prision.

[dascajunsha]

@willspires

sorry you are right, I was thinking about the back ground when the video started

[dascajunsha]

@willwkrueger

the name of this song is

Les Blues De Balfa

english Balfa blues

[hubris2008]

La chanson est vraiment superbe. Quelqu'un en connait-il le titre et les paroles ? On a suggéré "Les barres de la prison", mais ça ne semble pas être le bon titre. Pour ce qui est des paroles, je peux transcrire, mais la chanson semble avoir été écourtée sur ce clip.

[blafleur886]

J'en ai un chanson qu'a les mots comme ça.

La Barres De La Prison

Chere vielle maman, tes venu à la porte, la porte de la prison, avec ses mains sur la tete.

Des larmes dedans ses yeux, a dit cher tit garcon, toi tes condemné pour le reste a tes jours.

Moi jai dit chere maman, faut te priez pour ton enfant, pour sauvez son âme de les flames de la fer.

[blafleur886]

Jai dit bye à mon pap, et chere tit soeur, et tout mes tit freres, parce que jai parti pour toujour. Moi jai condemné pour la balance de mes jours. Ma chere famille, moi jva jamais vous voir encore.

Chere vielle maman, tes venu à la porte, la porte de la prison, avec ses mains sur la tete. A dit mmmmm, toi tes condemné pour le reste à ta vie. Mois jai chere maman, priez pour ton enfant, pour sauvez son âme, de les flames de lenfer

[forebona]

is this french that he sings in

[hubris2008]

Yes it is.

[Ricepatch1]

Cajun French

[walterseals]

The Legendary and great Balfa Brothers. I've been a fan since I was 14. I'm 41 now and I still love them !! Tres Bon !!!

[kll510]

this song is so sad yet so beautiful at the same time.

[CANEPUNK]

What's the title of that song? Thanks

[DrSchadenfreude]

I'm no expert, but I just watched another cajun video with very very similar lyrics and the song was called "Les barres de la prison". I think that's the title of this song.

[kll510]

Yes the song is called "Les Barres de la Prison", but this clip is from a documentary called , "Les Blues de Balfa". I think the title on this clip is kind of confusing and misleading. Anyway go check out the whole documentary. It's only about 27 min. long but if you're into Cajun music and Balfa Brothers it's interesting.

[charlie1pipes]

This is so wonderful, its what Cajun music is all abot

[gatorgarfish]

I've heard nearly all the greats and Dewey is still the crown jewel. Where would Cajun music have gone without him making it and sharing it so widely and well ?

[facelster]

on peut meme vous mettre mes paroles en fraçais

the french lyrics are so root

[zachNewYork]

Thanks for this.

[tommyau2006]

God bless you Dewey and RIP

[randyflats]

I first saw Dewey at the Phila. Folk Fest, many years ago.. I think it was the first time that he played for such a large crowd. If I remember it was his son? that played with him. Playing an Aria guitar, among all the Martins. Their music really touched me.. so down home. THANKS, Randy

[Socrates79]

beautifully sad...

[mudrox]

my best friend growing up is dewey's grandaughter. he'll be missed.

[Panzeux]

please tell me... what's the name of the song? Ej chu tomber amoureux dla music des Balfa brothers!

[SCRAMBLER390]

Rodney Balfa was the best cajun songwriter ever.

[AmyB777]

I agree! I married his son...Tony Balfa.

[willspires]

Please convey my regards to Tony, I was a good friend of his parents. I hope this finds Tony and all who are close to him well. Will Spires

[ec00028]

So good -- so blue...