![[logo] Les Creoles de Pointe Coupée: committed to the preservation of our distinctive language, culture, and history.](/site/images/logo.png){kind=logo}
A Creole Wake Song
During his field study in New Roads, LA, Thomas Klingler, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Tulane University, recorded Pointe Coupéean Mabel Battley singing a Louisiana Creole wake song.
Traditionally, it was common to hold a wake (veillée) when someone died. These were typically held at the home of the deceased, where friends and relatives would gather and remain late into the night, drinking coffee and singing songs.
Creole lyrics
Zadyè jadyè chèr sèr--
Zadyè jadyè chèr sèr
No senyèr m a di, ye
Il ora pitchye de nou, Moman
Mòman il e mò.
Mòman, Mòman il e mò
No senyèr m a di, ye
Il ora pitchye de noun, zadye
Zadye chèr frè.
Jadyè jadyè chèr frèr
No senyèr m a di
Il ora pitchye de noun.
(Now I am getting kind of tired)
English translation
Good-bye, good-bye dear Sister--
That's 'Good-bye, Sister'
Good-bye, good-bye dear Sister
Our Lord told me
He will have pity on us, Mother
Mother he (she?) is dead.
Mother, mother he is dead
Our Lord told me
He will have pity on us, good-bye
Good-bye dear Brother.
Good-bye, good-bye dear Bother
Our Lord told me
He will have pity on us.
(Now I'm getting kind of tired.)
transcribed and translated by Thomas Klingler, Ph.D.