Dear Sun Spots: I never miss your column. It’s a wonderful source of information. I am looking for two audio cassettes of two songs, but I do not know who recorded them. Even knowing the words would be fine. I am looking for “Waltz Across Texas” and “Joli Blond” (the title is in French but the words are almost all English). – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots has learned that Ernest Dale Tubb was born Feb. 9, 1914 in Crisp, Texas. Acording to www.allcountry.de/History/Archive/Ernest_Tubb/body_ernest_tubb.html, Tubb was among the first of the honky-tonk singers and the first to achieve national recognition. Upon his arrival in Nashville in 1943 he joined the Grand Ole Opry and became the first musician to use an electric guitar in the Opry. Early in 1947 he opened the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, which he promoted through the Midnight Jamboree, a radio program he designed to fill the post-Opry slot on the radio. That year he became the first country star to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. He died in 1984.

Sun Spots hopes you enjoy the following words to Waltz Across Texas by Ernest Tubb found online at http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/oldsquire/285/cntry/tubb.htm#9:

When we dance together, my world’s in disguise.

It’s a fairy-land tale that’s come true.

And when you look at me with those stars in your eyes

I could waltz across Texas with you.

CHORUS: Waltz across Texas with you in my arms.

Waltz across Texas with you.

Like a story-book ending, I’m lost in your charms

And I could waltz across Texas with you.

My heartaches and troubles are just up and gone

The moment that you come in view.

And with your hand in mine dear,

I could dance on and on.

I could waltz across Texas with you.

Regarding your second request, Sun Spots located several references to the song Joli Blond online at http://www.cajunradio.org/earlysongs.html. According to this Web site, Jole Blonde is often referred to as the Cajun national anthem due to widespread popularity and due to the historical nature of the song. The first recording of the song Jolie Blon “Ma Blonde Est Partie” (Jolie Blonde) was made in 1928 by Amadie Breaux (born 09/07/1900), his brother Ophy Breaux and his sister Cleoma Breaux. It was recorded on the Old-Timey Records label. The record is titled “Louisiana Cajun Music Vol. 5 – The Early Years 1928-1938.” The original 1928 version by Amadie, Ophy, Cleoma Breaux goes like this in French:

Jolie blonde, regardez donc quoi t’as fait, Tu m’as quitte pour t’en aller, Pour T’en aller avec un autre, oui, que moi, Quel espoir et quel avenir, mais, moi, je vais avoir?

Jolie blonde, tu m’as laisse, moi tout seul, Pour t’en aller chez ta famille. Si t’aurais pas ecoute tos les conseils de les autres tu serait ici-t-avec moi aujourd ‘hui

Jolie blonde, tu croyais il y avait just toi, Il y a pas just toi dans le pays pour moi aimer. Je peux trouver just une autre jolie blonde, Bon Dieu sait, moi, j’ai un tas.

And In English:

Pretty blond, look at what you’ve done, You left me to go away, to go away with another, yes, than me, What hope and what future am I going to have?

Pretty blond, you’ve left me all alone To go back to your family. If you had not listened to all the advice of the others You would be here with me today.

Pretty blond, you thought there was just you, There is not just you in the land to love me. I can find another pretty blond, Good God knows, I have a lot.

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