French Inspiration in the USA

New Orleans,

Louisiana was a French colony from 1718 to 1803 and is the most French inspired state of the United States. 

When you walk in the streets of La Nouvelle-Orléan, sometimes you can find some very French looking place. For example the Metairie Cemetery (Picture 2) looks like Père Lachaise in Paris or Bourbon street (Picture 3), the most touristic street in the city, is in the heart of the old French district.

 

Even Cajun French, the dialect which is spoken by old fishermen and farmers in Louisiana swamp is French-inspired. Moreover, most of students in Acadiana speak French and learn it in school.

The YouTube link is a Louisiana's traditional song and the lyrics are in French. The lyrics are the following:

« Les pêcheurs mettent leurs lignes comme des araignées
Piégeurs, voleurs des âmes
Les attrapes sont mises pour les innocents
Gambleurs, éviteurs des blâmes

Descends
Allons
Descends
Dans l'eau saumâtre

Reviens
C'est rien
Reviens
A la terre tremblante

Les voleurs, ça met leurs appâts sur la ligne
La bouteille, la fierté et l'argent
Ça voit pas qu'ils sont piégés pour toujours
Dedans un fil étranglant

Descends
Allons
Descends
Dans l'eau saumâtre

Reviens
C'est rien
Reviens
A la terre tremblante »

Translation

"The fishermen set their lines like spiders
Trappers, stealers of souls
The traps are set for the innocent
Gamblers, shirkers of blame

Descend
Come on
Descend
Into the brackish water

Return
It's nothing
Return
To the quicksand

The theives put their bait on the lines
The bottle, pride, and money
They don't see that they are trapped forever
In a strangling web

Descend
Come on
Descend
Into the brackish water

Return
It's nothing
Return
To the quicksand"

Enjoy this wonderful music !

 

Latest views

Marked as favourite